Reflections from Northern Nicaragua: Noel

Noel has 3.5 acres of land of his own, on which he grows vegetables and raises chickens and pigs. To plant corn or beans, he rents additional land. At the end of 2024 he planted 25 pounds of INTA-Nutrader seed corn and harvested 5,500 pounds of shelled corn, which he considers to be an excellent yield. Before being part of the Self-Help International agriculture program, he harvested 3,000 pounds maximum on
the same land. He notes that the Nutrader corn does not have bare tips that let water seep into the ear, like the traditional varieties he planted. Noel sold 2,500 pounds to purchase a pump sprayer to apply treatments such as pesticides and fertilizers to his crops, saving labor. He also bought 12 chicks and 2 pigs for his wife to take care of and sell to help themselves financially. Noel told us that in 2025 he hopes to have higher yields of corn and beans, and dreams of buying an irrigation pump so he can irrigate his crops in the summer.

Powered by Wapiti Digital #servetheherd