Nicaragua

Our Mission in Nicaragua

For over 30 years we have worked with various partners to contribute to sustainable and inclusive rural development in Nicaragua, supporting food systems transformation, increasing productivity, increasing climate resilience, restoring landscapes and boosting the livelihoods of smallholder farmers

We have research teams specialized in climate, restoration, digital agriculture, forages, beans, rice, cassava, market systems, agrobiodiversity, gender inclusion and impact assessment contributing to our work in the country. Some of our scientists are based in Nicaragua, while others live in other parts of Central America or our regional headquarters in Colombia and Rome.

Current Projects

Money invested in projects in 2023

354081.12 USD

Mapa - Nicaragua - Allianza Bioversity International y CIAT

Challenges

Nicaragua's agricultural sector is highly sensitive to climate variability, making the country increasingly vulnerable to climate change. This situation not only threatens farmers livelihoods and food security, but also the entire Nicaraguan food system.

Thematic Research Areas

Adaptation to climate change

Using methodological approaches tested across the world - such as the Agroclimatic Technical Tables (MTA) and Participatory Climate Services (PICSA), we generate spaces for discussion between different actors, facilitating the generation, understanding and use of local agro-climatic information. We work with partners to generate climate impact maps for crops such as coffee, cacao, beans and maize, using global climate scenarios, local agro-climatic information and crop modeling.

Crop improvement

We collaborate with national programs to innovate in genetics and agronomy, developing crops that are more productive and resilient to climate change, pests, diseases and greenhouse gas emissions. In Nicaragua, together with INTA, we have released heat- and drought-tolerant bean varieties with higher iron content. In addition, we contributed to the release of the second most widely planted rice variety (ANAR 2006) and the introduction of improved cassava and forage materials.

Efficient management and restoration of ecosystems

We restore productive landscapes, combining crops with native trees to improve productivity and biodiversity. We implement agroforestry and livestock systems that improve product quality, increase soil carbon sequestration and reduce erosion. We collaborate with institutions to encourage sustainable practices and design incentives, using tools such as Diversity4Restoration, Terra-i and digital soil mapping.

Inclusive business models and sustainable value chains

In Nicaragua, we collaborate with companies and organizations to strengthen business models with a focus on gender, social inclusion and environmental risk management. We promote transparency in the cacao value chain and prioritize inclusive value chains for forest conservation. We work to understand food environments in vulnerable communities - including informal markets and school feeding - identifying ways to improve their impact on nutrition and health.

Impact

Impact 1 - Nicaragua - Allianza Bioversity International and CIAT

Increasing productivity through crop improvement

Impact 2 - Nicaragua - Allianza Bioversity International and CIAT

Adaptation to climate change

Impact 3 - Nicaragua - Allianza Bioversity International and CIAT

Efficient management of natural resources and ecosystem restoration

Impact 4 - Nicaragua - Allianza Bioversity International and CIAT

Improving food security

Impact 5 - Nicaragua - Allianza Bioversity International and CIAT

Improving incomes through inclusive businesses and sustainable value chains

Download A PDF about our work in Nicaragua (Spanish)

Collaboration and Partners

In Nicaragua, our work and impact is possible thanks to our partners and funders. We work with producer organizations, civil society, government entities, private sector actors, donors, financial institutions and multilateral agencies, among others.

Flagship projects and initiatives

To achieve our mission and address the challenges faced in Nicaragua, we carry out several flagship projects and initiatives across the country.

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Leadership

Our Office in Nicaragua

Planes de Altamira
from Pizza Hut Villa Fontana, 1 block west. Building CAR III, 4th Floor, Office 4-1
Managua, Nicaragua
Phone: +(505) 229-93011
Email: Carla Coronado ([email protected])