DRAG

El Salvador

El Salvador is a small country with an amazing diversity of landscapes, including volcanic mountain ranges, waterfalls, lakes, and world-famous surfing beaches. Unfortunately, El Salvador's water resources are threatened, in large part due to unsustainable farming practices. Blue Harvest projects in El Salvador are designed to protect and restore people’s drinking water sources.

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El Salvador needs regenerative agriculture

Agriculture covers nearly ¾ of El Salvador’s land, much of  is impacted by The major rivers of El Salvador have lost more than 30% of their base flow over the past thirty years and 90% of surface water (streams and rivers) is severely contaminated. A major cause of watershed degradation is unsustainable farming practices.

Since 2014, Blue Harvest partners have been working key watersheds across the country to protect springs and streams that supply water to hundreds of rural and urban communities. This work has demonstrated how the application of key regenerative farming practices can significantly improve water quality, water flows, crop productivity, and income of farmers producing healthier and more sustainable crops.

Our work in El Salvador started with coffee and has expanded into diversified farming systems, including cacao, fruit trees, vegetables, corn (maize), beans, and sugarcane.

areas of focus

On-Farm Training and Technical Support

We provide training and expertise in water and soil conservation, soil fertility management, agronomy, and crop quality to increase farm profitability and climate resilience.

Water Resources Management

We monitor and measure water and soil resources using state-of-the-art hydrological and agronomic science, then share data through user-friendly maps and dashboards so that farmers and buyers to understand how their products impact on water resources: #knowyoursource

Linking Producers and Buyers

We connect farmers with buyers of high-quality and sustainable products, including coffee, cacao, fruits, and vegetables. We ensure that farm products meet the standards buyers expect.

Learning and Advocacy

Blue Harvest partners are committed to continuous learning and improving, by constantly sharing and engaging with researchers, businesses, and the public sector. We advocate for policies and practices that promote regenerative agriculture and protect water sources.

partners

In El Salvador, Blue Harvest is led by CRS and local NGOs in partnership with innovative coffee roasters, chocolate companies, and other business partners. The work is supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation through the Water Smart Agriculture program and the Agricultural Landscape Restoration Initiative.

Practical Application of Blue Harvest in El Salvador

Blue Harvest coffee farmers in the Cacahuatique mountain range protect water resources that provide drinking water to tens of thousands of people, including the town of Osicala. Coffee roasters and importers in the UK, Europe, and the source coffee from farmers and cooperatives, paying price premiums that enable farmers to farm sustainably and make living incomes.

The RENACER coffee training school in Apaneca (western El Salvador) has trained hundreds of farmers in Blue Harvest farming practices, impacting more than 3000 hectares of coffee farms.