Consolidation of a technical support program for small agroecological producers in the Bogot region, incorporating technological tools for information and communications management

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in the food system in Colombia which depends on shipping agricultural products long distances to supply regional urban centers despite the quantity of food produced by small farmers across the country who could readily supply these urban centers and other nearby communities.

IAF grantee La Canasta a network of small-scale rural farmers and urban consumers runs a community-supported agriculture model.

It purchases fresh produce and value-added products directly from farmers and sells these to urban consumers via online ordering and a weekly door-to-door service.

La Canasta is implementing a participatory guarantee system a peer-to-peer organic certification mechanism that is managed by a collective body of farmers and civil society organizations to ensure all participants are abiding to organic standards and in compliance with national law.

It is also streamlining its technical support to farmers and improving its information and marketing technologies.This grant advances the IAF?s strategic initiative to promote sustainable agriculture by strengthening food security efforts and supporting viable livelihoods.