 We participate in an international research project on the cultivation of Amaranth to promote an alternative food in the department of Chinandega. This project is based on a 40-month international study involving a total of 11 participants from Denmark, Spain, Czech Republic, Mexico, Argentina and Nicaragua (www.amaranth-future-food.net). The researchers are from different research institutes, universities, women's cooperatives and Chinantlan Association as an NGO. The strategic objective of the project is to provide the tools for a broad and sustained exploitation of Amaranth. It also aims to identify genes and gene complexes responsible for resistance to insects, fungi, drought and salinity, to select varieties with high competitiveness. The project will thus contribute to the overall goal of providing food and increase food security.
Vision for Nicaragua
The specific objective in Nicaragua is to support Nicaraguan women workers in rural areas to achieve food security through the introduction of selected species of amaranth and provide them with an alternative crop and in areas where cotton farming affected the land by erosion and pollution.
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 What is Amaranth and how is it consumed?
Historically, the origin of the amaranth plant has been located in Central, North and South America.Together with corn, beans and chia, amaranth was a major food product from pre-Columbian cultures of America. With the arrival of the Spanish in America and during the conquest, amaranth was eliminated from the diet by native religious and political reasons, it virtually disappeared.
Amaranth is one of the most important sources of protein, minerals and vitamins A, B, C, B1, B2, B3, and also of folic acid, niacin, calcium, iron and phosphorus. The amount of protein from amaranth seed is greater than that of cereals. It contains twice the protein of corn and rice, and 60 to 80 percent more than wheat. There are also other processed products such as fortified cereals, tortillas, biscuits, pancakes, horchata, chocolate drinks, chips, flour, etc.. |
 Who is it for?
In the department of Chinandega, as in other departments, there are many agricultural woman cooperatives, which, due to agro-climatic conditions such as no rain for half of the year, have great needs for alternative crops. Amaranth, thanks to its particular suitability for hot, dry climates, can serve as this alternative. Besides, being very rich in proteins, it is an ideal food supplement for malnourished children and adults living in rural areas. With this project, which consists of 9 work packages, we introduce the cultivation of amaranth in women's cooperatives in rural areas, evaluate the results of culture and develop amaranth-based foods designed to appeal to the Nicaraguans. We also make sure that amaranth cultivated at former cotton cultivation areas are not contaminated with organochlorine pesticides
Results of the first year (2006-2007)
- We found 4 species of amaranth natives to Nicaragua
- We introduced amaranth cultivation in farmer cotton cultivation areas that were in women's cooperatives in 4 communities.
- Disseminating knowledge about the nutritional value of amaranth with institutions that are working on the issue of food security
- Promote the different foods prepared with amaranth
If you want to contact the project leader, write or call: Ajax Fonseca Rafael Trujillo, chinantlan_ni@yahoo.es, Tel: 8812 9894
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