Fruqueña
The principal aim of the "Fruqueña" project, in the department of Antioquia in Columbia, is the strengthening of family and village ties and the establishment of co-operative organizations of small farmers to boost incomes. This integrated approach, coordinated by Fundación El Cinco in cooperation with the Siemens Stiftung and other local partners, focuses on sustainable development in rural areas.
The project currently involves around 600 small farmers and their families in 13 communities. These communities have suffered for many years under the latent civil war and the changing local dominance of guerilla bands and paramilitary groups. In many cases, people have been driven from their land. The project intends to counteract the poverty and climate of insecurity which is causing the rural exodus, and shape a realistic and attractive future for coming generations.
The small farmers focus on fruit growing. They form agricultural cooperatives to work togther on building up and improving the value chain - from growing the crop to marketing the fruit - and in order to gain better access to domestic and export markets. Technical education and know-how transfer are important elements of the project, as is a special focus on social work and dialog within the community. The key focus is on educating the young people and young farmers: Central aspects are knowledge about modern, environmentally-compatible agricultural methods, organizational skills and commercial know-how. An important aim is to build a spirit of independence and entrepreneurship.
In particular, the Siemens Stiftung is supporting that part of the project concerned with educating the younger generation. In the first step, 67 young people from 13 communities are being trained as agricultural engineers and social workers in a nationally certified training program. After they have completed their training, our aim is that these young people will become agricultural entrepreneurs and knowledge multipliers in their local areas. This is why, in addition to providing technical education, the project has the task of setting up a self-sustaining social enterprise to provide help and advice in the local region and beyond. Those involved will acquire the necessary practical experience by working directly as part of the "Fruqueña" project management team.
"Brand new" agricultural experts – graduates of the "Escuela hortofrutícola Fruqueña" at the graduation ceremony in San Nicholás near Medellin
Project partners
Government of the Department of Antioquia
Universidad Católica de Oriente
Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje – SENA
3 corporate foundations: Fundaciones Bancolombia, Suramericana, Nutresa
4 Columbian companies: Flores Esmeralda, Arquitectos e Ingenieros Asociados, Argos, Protección; supported by voluntary work from employees and donations
