SAN SALVADOR, July 23, 2024-The World Bank, Japan, and El Salvador are collaborating on a project to improve market access, food security, and dietary diversity in the El Bálsamo mountain range in La Libertad department. This initiative will directly benefit 6,250 farming families and will be implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) of El Salvador.
" 'Leave no one behind' is a motto that has guided our collaboration with the World Bank in El Salvador for more than two decades," said Yoshitaka Hoshino, Ambassador of Japan to El Salvador. "Supporting productive development and the marketing of farmers' products in rural communities by applying new techniques that will help them mitigate the effects of climate change will complement Japanese cooperation in the country."
The Connecting Farming Communities to Coastal Economies in El Bálsamo - Costa Viva project is being financed by a US$2.76 million grant from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) and was approved by the World Bank in May of this year. It will connect producers of basic grains, fruits, vegetables, and coffee from El Bálsamo to growing coastal economies, including markets, hotels, and restaurants, which will, in turn, benefit from improvements in terms of the inclusivity, sustainability, and quality of products provided by farmers.
"The World Bank is excited to be part of this project that is aimed at transforming the way food is produced and marketed in communities in El Salvador facing multiple economic needs and high levels of food and nutrition insecurity. This remarkable and impactful initiative will help protect our planet and ensure good nutrition for future generations," noted Carine Clert, World Bank Country Manager for El Salvador and Costa Rica.
In particular, the project will connect 1,250 farming families in the districts of Chiltiupán, Comasagua, and Tamanique to the coastal and Santa Tecla markets in La Libertad, improving access to fresh and nutritious food and contributing to poverty reduction in these rural communities.
In terms of food security, the project will improve dietary diversity, sanitation, and hygiene in 5,000 vulnerable households in the intervention communities, thus benefiting some 25,000 people.
"Farmers, including women and young people, are key to restoring the landscapes, developing agriculture, and building partnerships that improve market access. Costa Viva aims to improve livelihoods and have a strong community impact," added Blain Cerney, Country Representative for Catholic Relief Services in El Salvador.
Scheduled to end in December 2027, the project will finance business plans for farmers adopting climate- and nutrition-smart practices to boost environmental sustainability and nutritional benefits and increase productivity and family incomes. To do so, productive alliances between farmers and local markets will be promoted with the support of the Communal Development Associations.
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