Small Farmers

The National Congress Agriculture Committee and producers' associations agreed to develop financial products tailored to small-livestock farmers and establish an inter-agency technical working group to coordinate production, health, and financing assistance.

Farmers in southern Honduras who lost maize, beans, and squash to drought must now find $300–$370 per manzana (about 0.7 hectares) to replant, leaving many without resources to start again, while the UN World Food Programme — which currently covers 12,000 small producers — says it is evaluating expanding aid to more drought-affected communities.

President Nasry Asfura announced $17 million in additional funding to expand ProOccidente, a rural development program, into Honduras's Dry Corridor, aiming to provide technical assistance, climate-smart technologies, financing, and market access to over 4,500 small and medium-sized farmers.

Agricultural leaders recommend Honduran smallholder farmers postpone planting until at least September due to a prolonged dry season and a forecast 40% rainfall deficit linked to a strong El Niño pattern, which threatens six drought-vulnerable departments.

The Agriculture Ministry and Tegucigalpa's municipal government began distributing certified seeds and fertilizers to 240 small farmers across 23 rural villages in the capital, a program worth more than 1.1 million lempiras (about $44,000) aimed at boosting food security and reducing production costs.

Small-scale rancher Rolando Pastrana of Morolica, Choluteca, has lost six cattle to extreme heat and lack of water and feed, burning the carcasses to prevent contamination, as drought-stricken families in the area wait for rain with no government aid in sight.

A six-month drought in Calpulles, Choluteca, has devastated maize and bean crops affecting about 150 farmers, leaving families without income, food, and agricultural work opportunities as they face rising food prices.

The Tegucigalpa municipal government and the Agriculture Ministry signed a cooperation agreement to provide technical assistance and climate resilience support to 2,500–4,000 small and mid-size farmers in the capital's rural areas.