Nubia Jimenez
Nubia Jimenez is one example of a woman who has benefitted from the PRODUMER project. Nubia cultivates sesame with her husband on the Island of Ometepe. The husband and wife team began growing organic sesame 5 years ago when they joined a local cooperative. Nubia has been working with PRODUMER for several years herself.

Nubia and her family are benefitting from the low costs and high selling prices that they receive for their organic production. She works in the field with her husband, two eldest sons and two hired hands.

The PRODUMER project has made quite an impression on Nubia. She says that the greatest benefits of the project have been for her family. The technical training has helped the family improve their production methods. But training itself is not enough, says Nubia. The project has also given them motivation. Nubia speaks very highly of the PRODUMER agronomist that worked with them- stating that he is a friend, but he also supports, teaches and motivates them to follow through with the things they have learned.

One of the areas of training that she is very pleased with is that of environmental care techniques. She says that she learned the importance of planting them to stop erosion and has shared what she has learnt from PRODUMER within her community at the municipal office.

Nubia can also see a change in her family thanks to project-run workshops on gender roles. Whereas previously she had to do all household work, her husband now helps her in the kitchen and with other chores. For a woman who gets up at 4:00am every day and walks an hour just to get to the field where they work- this help goes a long way.

For Nubia, this change in her husband is important as it models for her two oldest sons that this household work is not just for the women. She points out that one day they will have to do chores on their own if they are going to go to move away to attend University or live in the city. University is already on the horizon for Nubia’s oldest son. He is hoping to study to be an agronomist like Rommel, their PRODUMER II technician.

For Nubia, the last several years working with PRODUMER II provided a change for the better. She can see the change in her production, her land and her home. There is hope in that her very own children will be the vessels to carry on these practices and principles in the future.