Canadian University Projects in International Development Database (CUPID)

Americas

Nicaragua

• Community-based pest management in Central American agriculture
• York-URACCAN Linkage Project

Community-based pest management in Central American agriculture

Project purpose:
The purpose of the project is to improve policies and technical capacity in pesticide storage, handling and use on the part of farmers and their communities in Central America, as a way to enhance human and environmental health while increasing agricultural productivity.

Key results to date:
More than 400 stakeholders from academia, government, rural communities, and a range of organizations in the countries of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras have been involved in the project. Through a regional methodological approach, the three countries carry out activities in a consistent yet contextually-appropriate way. Key results to date include the: 1) delivery of participatory workshops within universities and rural communities to improve on theoretical and practical understanding of research methodologies, pest management practices and pesticide risk indicators; 2) enhancement of technical and infrastructural capacities to carry out research in food production, and in soil and pesticide analysis; and 3) establishment of safer practices of the handling, use and disposal of pesticide products. Overall, these and other project activities have increased the capacity of stakeholders to provide improved food security and environmental stewardship in their countries along with a greater collaboration among Central American universities in this context.

York-URACCAN Linkage Project

Project purpose:
The project aimed to assist the Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense (URACCAN) develop its capacity in education, community health, community development and sustainable resource management and help ensure its sustainability in supporting the social and economic development of Nicaragua's Caribbean coast region.

Key results to date:
The capacity of URACCAN to undertake relevant teaching, research and community development has increased through faculty upgrading and training (11 female and 9 male faculty members with master's degrees awarded by York) and the establishment of four new undergraduate and professional development courses. A research inventory permits better understanding of the region's problems and potentials. Through the development and enhancement of training programs dealing with sustainable resource development, community health, education and community development, and cooperative and small entrepreneurial economic development, URACCAN has been able to contribute to the enhancement of the social and economic status of the region, and thus promote poverty reduction.