Soul of Rurality

IICA’s recognition of the Leaders of Rurality of the Americas is part of an initiative that seeks to turn the spotlight on men and women who are leaving their mark and making a difference in the rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean.

It pays tribute to those who play an unparalleled dual role: as guarantors of food and nutritional security and as caretakers of the planet’s biodiversity. It also emphasizes their capacity to drive positive changes in the rural areas of the region. For all these reasons, these individuals are the Soul of Rurality.

Leaders of Rurality of the Americas

Panamanian producer Dayra Montenegro, who returned to the countryside and modernized her family farm after sailing between several continents, recognized by IICA as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas

In her capacity as President of the San Lorenzo Agricultural Producers’ Association, Dayra shares what she’s learned and assists other farmers in adopting sustainable techniques.

Abbigale Loncke-Watson, an entrepreneur who connects rural life, energy and local development in Guyana, is recognized by IICA as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas

Abbigale founded WeLead Caribbean in 2017, an organization to promote training, access to networks and the economic autonomy of women in Guyana.

Mackenzie Fingerhut, a young Canadian farmer who grows grains, invests in the future and cares for the environment, recognized by IICA as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas

In addition to producing grains, Mackenzie Fingerhut’s work is aimed at preserving and improving soil through crop rotation, direct seeding, biological inputs and continuous analysis to determine water infiltration levels, biological activity and carbon content.

Raúl Ortiz, Venezuelan coffee grower who brought an innovative system to his region to promote agrotourism, recognized by IICA as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas

Raúl launched the Los Pajaritos coffee brand, alongside the estate of the same name, a vertically integrated agro-industrial project to boost coffee sales and support local coffee producers.

Nioka Abbott-Balcombe, a banana producer from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines who empowers rural women and shares her wisdom, is recognized by IICA as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas

Nioka is dedicated to the production of bananas, cassava, sweet potato, yam and vegetables. She has also chaired the WALCO cooperative (Women in Agriculture Langley Park Cooperative), where women producers support each other and welcome visits from students to bring young people closer to farming.

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