Investment in Women-Run Business in Rural Honduras Brings Positive Changes in the Community
A group of women, previously excluded from the labour market, are now employed and better able to meet their children’s basic needs for food and education. Since 2016, these women have been growing a pig farm operation with the support of non-profit partner Humanity and Hope United and investment from Sealand Americas.
“Now I see a future ahead because I believe that with the work they do and their efforts, they will be growing up, securing food for their households and the community".
Challenges of growing the pig farm and developing solutionsHonduras, with a population of approximately 9 million, is one of the poorest countries in Central America; in rural areas of the country about 1 in 5 Hondurans live on less than $1.90 day.* Hunger and malnutrition are one of the consequences of this level of poverty, particularly in rural areas where about 49% of the population experience malnutrition.* Lack of viable employment opportunities make rural women particularly vulnerable to poverty and its associated societal challenges.**
This level of poverty resulted in several challenges in building the business that required innovative and evolving solutions. Efficient farm operations were compromised by absence of electricity, poor road access to La Coroza, and unpredictable pig breeding outcomes. Although La Coroza is only about 25 miles from the economic capital of the country (San Pedro Sula), the road link is very poor. During the rainy season, poor road conditions can cut off the village entirely, shutting down the pig selling function of the business.
To address the overarching issue facing the business of a lack of scale, Humanity & Hope United integrated it with the pig business run by women in the neighbouring village of Remolino. The organization is initiating steps to improve year-round road access to La Coroza which will further improve operational efficiency.
New educational programs have been implemented to address the challenges related to the education level of the women employees, which was around fourth grade on average. Significant training was required for the women to become productive workers, particularly when that training involved technical aspects of animal breeding. Technical training by veterinarians has largely overcome the breeding problems. The pigs are now healthy, thriving, and getting pregnant in a safer and more predictable way.
Today the farm is sustainable and marketing plans are progressing to brand and differentiate it and grow profitability by pivoting towards value-add products.
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Aligned on a granular level with UN SDG 8, this partnership is one of 12 in Sealand Americas – A Maersk Company’s transformative community program. Since late 2015, the company has been securing long-term goal-directed community partnerships throughout the Americas focussed on generating measurable impact in 3 sectors: Quality Education, Decent Work & Economic Growth and Climate Action. Committed to helping people realize their potential in the community and in the office, Sealanders are deeply engaged in every facet of the program. We believe that when there is engagement there is significant social and business impact.
Visit our website for more information on Sealand Americas – A Maersk Company’s community program: https://www.sealandmaersk.com/about-us/sustainability/community
*The Borgen Project. Big four causes of poverty in Honduras. Available at: https://borgenproject.org/causes-of-povertyin-honduras/. Accessed May 18, 2018.
** Garret S. Rural women confront poverty in Honduras: Hear their voices. Central America Women’s Network. 2006.
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