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USAID John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer Program |
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Volume1, Issue 5, March 2005 |
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Market Research and Marketing of Rambutan- Guatemala, Volunteer Jhilson Ortiz Originally native to Malaysia, the Rambutan fruit has now been harvested in Guatemala for some time now. This exotic fruit has a promising future in Guatemala since it generates employment and serves as an additional source of income for the country and its people. FTF volunteer, Jhilson Ortiz, conducted market research and created a marketing plan for a local export company so that they will be able to tap into various markets. Mr. Ortiz also trained the host organization in logistics management for overseas shipments, marketing and promotional skills, creation of new business leads, and investment analysis. To bring his visit to a successful conclusion, our volunteer instructed a marketing class that ran for two days focusing on how to obtain market information and how to create marketing and promotional campaigns. |
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Potato Harvesting- Honduras Volunteer Dr. Ricardo Bessin The potato is a crops that has great potential in Honduras. This is especially true in the highlands of Intibuca, one of the key potato producing and poorest areas of Honduras. A major problem facing the farmers is the increasing damage of the potato crops caused by a soil pest called Phyllophaga sp., named by farmers as “Gallina Ciega” or “Blind Hen”. To help control phyllophaga sp. and the damage it causes, we sent volunteer Dr. Ricardo Bessin, an entomologist with the University of Kentucky, to identify why there is such a prevalence of Phyllophaga sp. and to provide technical assistance in control methods. Dr. Bessin worked closely with World Vision, an international relief and development organization, and currently the largest privately funded NGO in the world, to achieve these goals. In an attempt to get rid of the Gallina Ciega, farmers used extremely hazardous pesticides, which could cause serious damage to their health and raise safety concerns. Additionally, these pesticides are considered to be of the most toxic kind and the farmers were not using any protective gear. To solve this particular problem, Bessin conducted several field studies, which resulted in finding alternatives to the toxic pesticide. During the final week of the project, growers and local technicians participated in two training sessions, both focusing on biology and control of “gallina ciega” and the proper management of insecticides. As a result of the research and training performed by our volunteer, it is estimated that there will be a reduction in post harvest losses, from 50 percent to 10 percent. This will have a significant economic impact on the farmers since they supply potatoes to the major metropolitan areas. |
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Recent Volunteer Projects |
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This newsletter was made possible through support provided by the Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade, U.S. Agency for International Development, under the terms of Award No. EDH-A-00-03-00022-00. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development. |
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In partnership with: |
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Volunteer Opportunities Guatemala Plant Disease Identification Training Vegetal Nutrition with focus in Avocado Flowering Pest’s Identification Training with PCR Methodology Early Detection of Thrips Palmi Monitoring System Training Avocado Irrigation System Specialist Avocado Harvest and Post Harvest Handling Ornamental Plants, Foliage and Flowers- Fertilization and Irrigation Training in Vanilla Drying Process Post-Harvest, Packing & Bailing of Ornamental Plants Workshop Strategic Plan Evaluation Avocado Pruning Management Honduras Training in Quality Milk with CRELs of Tela, Atlantida Ho Milk Derivative Packaging and Brand Training Training in Mango Commercialization and Marketing Financial Advisor in Raising Beef Cattle and Cow/Calf Operations Business Plan and Marketing Development for FINACOOP (microfinance) Establishing a Milk Processing Plant Feasibility Analysis Support in Marketing for the Feasibility of Establishing a Milk Processing Plant Technical Support in Designing a Milk Processing Plant Salt Water Tilapia and Shrimp Farm Training Chili Sauce Market Study El Salvador Greenhouse Installation and Operation for Rural Women Vegetables Pest and Disease Management Practices Greenhouse Production of Flowers and Vegetables Improving Strawberry Production Strategic Planning for Horticultural Farm Technical and Economic Viability of Agro-industrial Plant Identification of Potato Disease Tropical Ornamental Plants Nutritional Needs and Best Practices Achiote (Annatto) Natural Colorants and Pigments Market Analysis Follow-up Training for Greenhouse Vegetable Production Post-Harvest Management of Fresh Vegetables for Farmers/Distribution Co. Nicaragua Cooperative Organization and Development Soil Fertility and Management Practices Effective Water Mgt in Irrigation Systems for Fruits and Vegetables Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) Establishment and Management Marketing Strategies of Dairy Products Management Practices for Equine Farms Improve Milk Production and Processes Conditions of International Trade |
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Contact us: Florida International University Eugenio Pino and Family Global Entrepreneurship Center Institute for Community Innovation Carmen Algeciras (305) 348-0399 algecira@fiu.edu www.entrepreneurship.fiu.edu/usaid |
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Potato Crop Plowing |
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Follow-up Visit to Paraxaj Association Processing Plant Guatemala |
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