Deadline: 14-May-2026
The World Food Programme (WFP) is supporting initiatives in Guatemala’s Dry Corridor to strengthen small-scale producer organizations through improved agricultural productivity, organizational capacity, and market access. The programme focuses on food security, nutrition, climate resilience, financial inclusion, and gender-responsive community development.
This WFP initiative focuses on strengthening small-scale producer organizations in Guatemala’s Dry Corridor, a region highly vulnerable to climate shocks and food insecurity. The programme supports integrated rural development by improving agricultural systems, financial structures, and community resilience.
It promotes sustainable agriculture, stronger market integration, and improved livelihoods for smallholder farming communities.
Geographic Focus
The programme is implemented in the following departments:
- Jalapa
- Chiquimula
- Jutiapa
- El Progreso
- Zacapa
These regions are prioritized due to their exposure to drought, climate variability, and food insecurity.
Key Focus Areas
The programme addresses multiple interconnected areas:
- Livelihood strengthening and community mobilization
- Microfinance and revolving loan funds
- Smallholder agricultural market support
- Nutrition and community health activities
- Production of maize and beans
- Post-harvest handling and storage technologies
- Organizational and financial capacity building
- Savings and credit group development
- Irrigation system improvements
- Climate risk management and adaptation
- Gender equality and inclusive governance
Agricultural Development and Productivity
The programme supports improved agricultural systems through:
- Technical assistance for maize and bean production
- Introduction of improved farming technologies
- Post-harvest loss reduction techniques
- Enhanced irrigation infrastructure
- Climate-smart agricultural practices
These interventions aim to increase productivity and reduce vulnerability to climate shocks.
Financial Inclusion and Economic Strengthening
The initiative promotes financial resilience by supporting:
- Savings and credit group formation
- Microfinance mechanisms
- Revolving loan funds for farmers
- Improved financial and administrative management systems
- Better access to agricultural markets and buyers
These measures help strengthen the economic stability of producer organizations.
Nutrition and Food Security
The programme includes community-based nutrition interventions such as:
- Nutrition education and awareness campaigns
- Cooking demonstrations and workshops
- Community nutrition fairs
- Improved dietary diversity and food utilization practices
These activities aim to improve household nutrition outcomes alongside agricultural development.
Climate Risk Management and Resilience
The programme strengthens climate resilience through:
- Access to climate information services
- Use of microinsurance schemes
- Early warning systems and anticipatory actions
- Training for local leaders on climate adaptation
- Strengthening community resilience planning
These interventions help communities adapt to droughts and other climate-related risks.
Gender Inclusion and Social Empowerment
The initiative promotes gender equality by:
- Increasing women’s participation in producer organizations
- Strengthening women’s leadership roles
- Supporting gender-responsive decision-making processes
- Ensuring inclusive participation in training and planning activities
Expected Results
The programme is expected to deliver:
- Strengthened producer organization capacity
- Improved maize and bean production systems
- Enhanced agricultural technology adoption
- Better financial and administrative management
- Increased access to credit and savings systems
- Improved irrigation infrastructure
- Expanded market access and commercialization opportunities
- Stronger community nutrition outcomes
- Improved climate resilience and risk management
- Greater gender equality in agricultural governance
Overall Objective
The main goal of the programme is to build:
- More resilient rural communities
- Stronger and better-organized producer groups
- Improved agricultural productivity and food security
- Sustainable and climate-adapted farming systems
- Inclusive economic opportunities for smallholder farmers
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it:
- Addresses chronic food insecurity in vulnerable regions
- Strengthens rural livelihoods in climate-sensitive areas
- Improves smallholder productivity and income stability
- Enhances resilience to drought and climate shocks
- Promotes gender equality in rural governance
- Builds stronger local food systems and market linkages
Conclusion
The World Food Programme initiative in Guatemala’s Dry Corridor supports small-scale farmers by strengthening production systems, financial capacity, climate resilience, and nutrition outcomes. By integrating agricultural development with social inclusion and risk management, the programme aims to build sustainable and resilient rural communities capable of long-term food security and economic stability.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.