2022 Vision Report

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18 Feb

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2022 Vision Report

18 Feb

2022 Vision Report

If you’d like to download the entire 2022 Vision Report, click here.

Looking back over the past year, I anticipated facing harsh conditions with COVID-19, natural disasters, and political turmoil. However, things turned out surprisingly resilient and instead of playing defense we pushed forward with great determination. Thanks to you, over the last two years the number of families served by Agros has doubled and will double again by 2023.

The impact of your generosity has never been more transformative than today. Agros programs are delivering a level of change for families in their communities that dramatically contrasts with the difficulties most Central American countries are experiencing. Resilience is difficult to achieve because when vulnerable families are hit by external forces that affect health and ability to earn income, families easily regress to an aggravated state of poverty. This is why resilience was a paramount achievement for 2021 and will be a cornerstone for the Agros programs across all of our work in 2022.

We have examples of hundreds of stories of success that took place over the last year, stories that you make possible, of hope, opportunity, and transformation. Thanks to you Agros is demonstrating how a holistic, persistent, and compassionate model lifts families out of poverty, takes them into prosperity, and builds resiliency.

I want to share with you some of the exciting initiatives of 2022 and everything that makes us feel bullish about this year ahead.

Key Initiatives for 2022

Climate Smart Villages

Just two years ago families in Nicaragua began learning how to change their traditional agricultural practices and adopt climate smart agriculture techniques which increased their yields and reduced their carbon footprint. What a success! Yields increased by 18%, while the use of chemical fertilizers dropped by 50% and the use of pesticides by 75%. These incredible results inspired us to launch a bigger challenge: Make more Agros villages climate smart.

What makes a village climate smart? Climate smart villages follow agricultural production practices that reduce environmental impacts. Additionally, water recharge areas are reforested, forests become protected and certified, and the use of wood as fuel becomes sustainable with energy efficient stoves that use wood from locally managed plantations.

Furthermore, a climate smart village manages waste by installing ecologically friendly latrines, establishing recycling programs, and reducing water consumption.
Please join us in celebrating the inauguration of the first three and only climate smart villages in Nicaragua: La Bendicion, San Jose, and Nueva San Jose.

Women Entrepreneurship / Financial Empowerment

ONE THOUSAND microloans disbursed by 2023: Last year we launched the Rural Women Entrepreneurship Program. I have shared many success stories of women in Guatemala who after receiving a small business microloan for the first time are now more independent. By the end of 2021, the program reached 307 entrepreneurs!

Yet, for 2022, we need your help and prayers because we have a goal of providing affordable financial services to ONE THOUSAND women by the end of 2022.

And last but not least…

Going global: New Agros Family Products for Export

Long ago are the days of subsistence farming for families at Agros villages. Agros villagers are today savvy producers who export their coffee to Starbucks and sell their peppers to Walmart. Family farmers are thriving, earning substantial profits, and paying for the land in the process.

However, to continue growing the villages and bringing additional families into land, we need to expand capacity and increase the volume and variety of agricultural products exported from Agros villages.

That’s right! Agros families are going global. 2022 will be a foundational year for strengthening our institutional capacity to export.

My vision, when I first came to Agros, was to see Agros family farmers’ products sold in U.S. stores. Currently, coffee production is there, and now we are striving for new niche products to be tested in U.S. markets as well. Export production demands sophistication and expertise. It is a big bet and we will depend on your continued generosity, prayers and support to see this dream become a reality in 2022.

There is so much to be excited for in 2022.
Yet we have much to be cautious about as well, with the economic uncertainty Agros families will continue to be tested. Through the many crises we have navigated it is clear that being bullish and investing in Agros mission through rough times is the best response we can provide and the most effective for families too.

My sincere hope is you are inspired to become more involved with Agros ministry. Please consider how you can learn more and continue advancing our shared mission with your charitable support. Our staff is eager to meet with you and share the stories of great impact. And we’re hoping that in this next year you can join us in visiting the Agros villages. With ongoing resilience as a goal, there are many reasons to feel bullish on Agros’ mission. Together we will walk alongside Agros families as they lift themselves from poverty and find RESILIENT prosperity.

I kindly ask you to partner with us to make resilience and our three goals for 2022 a reality.

May God bless you abundantly!

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