Farmer story
Julio César Baltodano Ramos
Like many rural farmers, Don Julio Baltodano is cut off from much of Nicaragua by poor roads and unaffordable transportation. Collection centers have lowered transport costs, but farmers still have to get their harvest to the collection points, often by horse-and-wagon or expensive tuk-tuk. After nine years working with Sol Organica, Don Julio had a record of recurring bank deposits - proof of creditworthiness that let him secure a loan for a truck. The new truck carried more, ran more efficiently, and let him deliver his own harvest affordably while offering paid transport to neighboring farmers who needed it. For a family of five, reliable transportation also means better access to markets, schools, and health care.
I am happy to say that working with Sol Organica has boosted my sales over the years, which helped me solidify a bank loan to purchase a truck. I was given the loan without hesitation because of the recurring sales receipts from Sol Organica. I have a 5-year repayment period but feel confident I can pay it back in 4.
Farmer story
Jose Isaias Jorge Carballo
Jose has farmed dragon fruit since 2022, when he inherited the farm from his father. The land sits downwind of an active volcano that deposits sulfuric residue and acid rain - inhospitable to most food crops, but well suited to dragon fruit, a hardy, drought-tolerant cactus. That drought tolerance matters more each year as Nicaragua's dry spells lengthen. Working with Sol Organica's field team on a crop-nutrition plan, Jose raised his yields over a single year from 9,200 to 11,400 kg/ha. He also experimented with intercropping shade trees and has noticed more moisture retention and greenery between the cactus rows. Sol Organica has been central to building market demand for this resilient crop.
We work with regenerative organic systems to increase the land's productivity, increase dragon fruit quality, get recognized abroad, and earn better prices, which improves opportunities for our families and our quality of life.
Farmer story
Santos Maria Sanchez
Maria, a single mother of four, took over her family's one-hectare dragon fruit farm after her husband passed away. Since partnering with Sol Organica in 2016, she has gained the support and resources to run a profitable business. With the agronomy team's guidance she learned crop diversification and practices that cut her input costs. Financial literacy training taught her to track expenses and estimate income, which let her manage cash flow and stay profitable. Annual contracts with Sol Organica gave her visibility into her expected income, and ongoing agronomy support gave her the confidence to add pineapple, supplementing her income during the dragon fruit off-season. Her earnings helped put all four of her children through college.