Strengthening food security during the COVID-19 lockdown

As a consequence of the mandatory confinement, established by the Colombian government from March 25 to May 31 to face the emergency caused by COVID-19, difficulties have arisen throughout the country in the marketing and supply of food. The Alternative Rural Schools (ERA) that PASO Colombia has developed with people in the process of reincorporation, victims of violence and the migrant population, have prioritized the food security of their participants. This has been of great help in this context of crisis. An example of this is the case of home gardens in the ERA of Manaure, Cesar, located in the former Territorial Space for Training and Reincorporation (ETCR) of Tierra Grata.

Gardens as pantries

The home gardens were installed in common areas, allowing small groups of ex-combatants from the same family or colleagues from nearby houses to work together in the care of the crops and the distribution of food once the harvest arrives. The ERA has promoted the use of natural pesticides together with the preparation of organic fertilizer, to support a clean agroecology, an approach promoted by the ex-combatants.

Germán Becerra, ERA extension agent, tells about his experience with the home garden project that “The truth is that something essential here in Cesar is yucca. That's why you see that the reincorporated don't like radish, pumpkin, lettuce or those things. 'We plant chives, tomatoes, cilantro and paprika... oh, and chili peppers, don't miss out on chili peppers,' they told one. After the harvests, they realized how good it is to have other vegetables in the garden, to know that it is only working on them in the morning and helping them when they are hungry”.

Cultivate between drought and quarantine

The richness of the lands of Cesar competes all year round with the harsh climatic conditions of the department. One of the greatest difficulties is access to water by the populations. However, this scenario has been resolved with the irrigation system based on storage tanks, which were donated by PASO Colombia and installed by the community, in addition to the rainwater channels financed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. and Agriculture (FAO). All this has contributed to the fact that home gardens have had good results. Before the COVID-19 emergency, this initiative had 23 linked families. Now, more ex-combatants have joined and 40 participants have home gardens that provide food security for their families and their community.

Carolina, leader of the Tierragrata ETCR gender table, insists on the variety of crops in her garden and gives away the surplus production to other families in the area. “Take this to your mom and she tells her it's for lunch, that she'll make a salad with it. Take it and come back tomorrow for more, I'll keep giving it to you”, says Carolina to a girl from the community, while holding some lettuce leaves in her hands. This is how home gardens are integrated into the community dynamics of Tierra Grata, contributing to good nutrition and the establishment of collaborative networks between farming families, neighbors and campesinos from surrounding areas.