A better world is possible with better food systems
Through the Solution Search Program:
Kevin’s attendance at the 2018 Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)’s ‘Committee on Food Security’ meeting co-sponsored by Rare opened doors. DAI is now part of the Mexican government’s efforts to recognize traditional mixed cropping systems (milpa) as ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage.’
DAI’s signature plots – native seeds of maize inter-cropped with fruit trees and backyard vegetables – are rapidly spreading with a renewed and strengthened pride for the ancestral practice of milpa across the municipalities of Chiapas, Oaxaca and even Bolivia!
DAI is adopting the tools of ‘Behavior Centered Design’ to communicate the importance of native seeds and ancestral agroecology to more and more farmers.
As of September 2019, after at least 15 years of using only hybrid seeds and chemical fertilizers, 100+ farmers from three communities have collectively revitalized local farming tradition and planted native maize varieties with 16,000 fruit trees on 100 acres of land.
In 2019, the community published Recetario Colonia Agrícola General Lázaro Cárdenas (Recipe Book for the Cárdenas community). With 48 recipes from community members, it promotes indigenous ingredients and fosters pride in local traditions. The cookbook was featured by the German government's International Climate Initiative (IKI) on International Food Day (October 16).
