In October, 2008, the Village of Santa Familia experienced one of the worst floods in living memory. The floods were accompanied by many weeks of constant rain caused by Tropical Depression 16. Several farms along the Mopan and Belize River belonging to cooperative members were flooded for up to twelve days, resulting in loss of grain and vegetable crops. The total estimated value of the losses suffered by the members is BZ$181,600.

The members of the cooperative have realized that they need to take action to secure their livelihood in an environmentally sustainable manner, and to contribute to restoring the ecological integrity of the riparian reserves. The project intervention will be in the form a number of activities aimed at sustainable agricultural production, improved food security for members, and institutional strengthening of the cooperative.

The main activities of the project will include:

1. Training, Technical Assistance and pre-certification of farmers in organic vegetable production.
2. Construct 10 covered plant propagation units.
3. Develop and maintain 10 organic vegetable plots (75? x 75?) with irrigation systems and vermiculture.
4. Training and equipping farmers for marketing of organic produce.
5. Establish agro forestry plots.
6. Conduct farmer to farmer exchange visits.
7. Land preparation (50 acres) and planting of corn and beans.
8. Establish fruit tree plots.
9. Purchase Computer System
10. Training in Cooperative Principles and Management
11. Training in Project Management
12. Develop Financial Management and Reporting System
13. Project Monitoring and Reporting

The project aims to: ?to contribute to sustainable land management and food security through agricultural production in the aftermath of the severe floods caused by tropical depression 16?.

The goal of the project is to contribute to sustainable land management and food security through agricultural production in the aftermath of the severe floods caused by tropical depression 16.