An Innovative Producer

By Rodolfo Ricardo Hernandez Navas, Agricultural Extension Program Officer

Erick is a farmer who arrived in the community of Las Minas in southern Nicaragua about 26 years ago. Since then he has worked tirelessly to improve his agricultural production and the quality of life for his family.

Erick is part of a group of farmers who are dedicated to producing high-quality protein corn using the INTA-Nutrader variety promoted by Self-Help International (SHI). Thanks to the double-row planting technique he learned from SHI, Erick has managed to increase his production from 54 bushels to 143 bushels on his 1.73-acre plot. Erick saved 36 bushels for family consumption. The rest he sold or shared with other family members and friends who needed it.

Erick tells us with a smile: “I like to share what I have with my family. It is important for me to help those who need it. The INTA-Nutrader corn is an excellent choice. The best thing is its flavor. It does not matter if it has good fertilization or not, it always fills the entire ear, whether it is large or small.”

Erick goes on to say, “I started by planting just four pounds of INTA-Nutrader corn, experimenting. Seeing that the results were good, I started to use the corn to feed all the members of my family. I also started feeding it to my chickens and the following year to my pigs. Each year I planted a larger area and harvested more corn until it occurred to me to try feeding it to my cattle. I observed that my cattle did very well with it. I was encouraged to experiment with silage for fattening my cattle, using the whole plant, with the goal of obtaining greater feed conversion.”

“The practice of ensiling corn is rarely done here. There are years when pastures and water are scarce due to hot, dry summers. In those cases making silage from this variety of corn could be an alternative for feeding my animals.”

“In addition to being easy to handle, this seed can continue to be used each year. The new hybrid varieties are very expensive. A producer has to sell around 30 bushels of corn to buy a 22-pound bag of hybrid seed, and you have to purchase new seed every year. On the other hand, with Nutrader, as long as you give it good management and prevent it from crossing with other corn, it can be saved for seed, so you will always have seed available. Therefore, I use the INTA-Nutrader corn for seed as well as for food for my family and feed for my animals.”

“I’m excited to see the results of my experiments,” Erick says, enthusiastically. “Now I want to show that INTA-Nutrader corn is not only an excellent option for human food, but also for animal feed. Now that I have planted the corn, I am going to pay for an expert to teach me how to manage the silage process. My plan is to use part of the fodder for my own animals and sell the surplus to my neighbors. My goal is to plant more hectares of corn, make silage on a larger scale, and buy a processing and packaging machine, since for now I do everything by hand. My dream is to be a small entrepreneur where I provide an alternative to other farmers who, like me, are looking for ways to get ahead, even if it is by renting land or sharing work to survive.”

“I consider that I am an example of how investment in knowledge and training can lead a farmer to achieve his goals and improve his quality of life. The skills I learned from Self-Help International have given me the incentive to continue learning, such as with the course that I will soon take in forage processing. All this thanks to the fact that my mind has been opened with the support of the organization. Agriculture is an ever-evolving field, and we must be prepared to adapt to changes and take advantage of new opportunities.”

Erick thanks Self-Help International for the support it provides to small farmers in the region. “They have provided me with the tools and knowledge to improve my production and my quality of life.” He urges SHI to continue supporting the rural sector and the growth of small farmers. “They are the heart of our economy and our society. We must work together to ensure they have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive.”

Erick’s generosity and innovative spirit are an example for his community, and his story is a reminder of the importance of sharing and helping those in need by investing in knowledge and training.

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