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

Ramona Vargas, a renowned community leader from Paraguay who advocates for fair trade and promotes organic sugarcane farming, is honored by IICA as a Leader of Rurality of the Americas

Ramona will receive the Soul of Rurality award, an initiative of the Inter-American System’s specialized agency for agricultural and rural development, aimed at recognizing men and women who leave a mark and make a difference in the rural areas of the continent.

Duhaje Jennings, a producer who has infused science and passion into Jamaican beekeeping and inspired new generations of beekeepers, has been named an IICA Leader of Rurality of the Americas

Duhaje Jennings, a visionary in Jamaican beekeeping, demonstrates his connection to the industrious bees, whose work has been the basis of his successful business, Dada B’s.

Maritza Solano Arce, an entrepreneur who proved that high-quality gourmet cheeses can be produced in Costa Rica’s rural areas, is named an IICA Leader of Rurality of the Americas

Maritza produces twenty-five different varieties, including raclette, hard Gruyere cheeses, bloomy rind cheeses, such as Camembert and Brie, tomme cheeses and creamy gourmet cheeses in five different flavors.

Vinicio Ramírez, a prominent advocate of cooperativism and entrepreneurship in Ecuador’s rural communities, has been recognized by IICA as one of the Leaders of Rurality of the Americas

Ramírez stands out for his work in support of small-scale farmers and livestock producers. He is part of the Salinas group, a conglomerate of cooperatives and foundations that supports local smallholders who supply inputs at fair prices for the production of chocolates, wool items, cheeses, jams, cocoa, aromatic herbs, and handicrafts.

Juan Simón Angoa, protector of heirloom corn varieties and agricultural production in Mexico, has been named an IICA Leader of Rurality of the Americas

Through his work, Simón has amassed a large collection of colored corn varieties: approximately 180 different shades and about sixteen of the existing varieties in the republic.

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