New Life ^Featured

Original project description

Building on the introduction of organic farming practices and native species of Andean cereals and tubers (potatoes), a micro-savings system, and reforestation activities, this partnership aims to further empower women and improve local communities’ food security.

With white onion being their sole source of income, local farmers were facing food insecurity and complete dependence on local markets. Starting with the formation of a women’s organisation (The New Life Association of Indigenous Women (Nueva Vida) in three neighbouring communities, this women’s initiative has so far re-introduced 30 native species of agricultural crops - cereals and tubers - which are now being used both for their local consumption and for sale through the women’s association.
Driven by concerns over the loss of biodiversity and soil degradation, the women’s organisation has introduced organic farming practices and undertaken reforestation activities. A savings system ensuring financial viability of the initiative has been established.

Current project updates

Last updated: 2 September 2009

The New Life Association of Indigenous Women (Nueva Vida) worked with the Ministry of Agriculture in the early stages of development. 2008 saw several promising developments for the partnership:
• the partnership established its organisational structure, setting up an office and hiring full-time staff.
• Nueva Vida focused on consolidating the partnership
• the partnership signed working agreements with several organisations, including USAID and Kraft Foods. The co-financing funds from USAID allowed Nueva Vida to purchase new equipment and work on capacity building, so extending its SEED Award. Nueva Vida’s collaboration with Kraft Foods resulted in a number of ideas as to how the partnership could improve its product quality and expand its range.
• Additional support from the UN Small Grants Programme provided Nueva Vida with opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange with other communities undertaking similar initiatives, as well as the chance to increase its capacity to promote and sell its products.

Nueva Vida is currently in the process of developing a business plan that it expects to be complete in April 2009. The plan includes extensive market research to identify new sales channels, partners, and funding options. It will also cover product diversification and scaling up production to meet demand. Commercialisation skills were a particular focus for the initiative in the year, as well as strengthening networks, and promoting the growth of native organic Andean agricultural products. For this reason, the Ecuadorian government’s new national campaign to consume local and healthy food will provide a great marketing opportunity for Nueva Vida in the coming year.

Growth plans description

• Commercialise and diversify the agricultural products such as Melloco, Mashua and Oca (types of tubers/root vegetables) and locally produced jam
• Seeking a certification for products
• Raise public awareness of the branding to increase market recognition and sales of products
• Build alliances and widen the local and regional network of commercial partners
• Establish a micro company better to sell the products of the communities
• Capacity-building for the indigenous women in financial, strategic and business planning

Current Needs

• partners, funders and technical/infrastructure solutions for future product and value chain development
• additional resources and support for the micro-enterprise start-up structures
• expertise to promote the products and identify new markets at local level
• gaining organic and sanitary certification
• connecting the initiative with potential retailers, importers or distributors

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