5.7 Spatial Organization of Agriculture

Describe any Transnational Corporations that operate in your country 

B2Gold and Calibre Mining: These are Canada-based mining corporations that have taken control over vast mining concessions in Nicaragua. They have been involved in numerous issues around land acquisition from the Nicaraguan government and the lack of consent of local Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. 

Condor Gold: This is a UK-based mining corporation that also operates in Nicaragua1. Like B2Gold and Calibre Mining, Condor Gold has also faced serious concerns surrounding its operations. 

MLR Forestal: This is a forestry company linked to several mining interests. Despite receiving sustainability certifications and financing from European development institutions, MLR Forestal has been involved in violations of Indigenous and Afro-descendant rights and other alleged social and environmental harms. 

Cargill: This is an agribusiness, food, and financial complex that operates in several countries, including Nicaragua. Cargill’s development model has been criticized for being the exact opposite of Food Security and Sovereignty.

Create a flow chart of a commodity chain related to a crop or livestock in your country 

Describe any agricultural technological advancements in your country 

Nutrition-Smart Agriculture: Between February 2015 and December 2019, communities in Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast improved their agricultural practices, technology, and nutritional knowledge. This allowed them to increase the production of nutrition-smart crops and products and enhance their food security and nutritional status. Predominantly smallholder-farmer associations gained capacity and technical skills in food security, nutrition, food production, post-harvest management, food processing, and marketing. A rigorous impact evaluation of the project showed agricultural productivity increased by 78%, with 10,675 families (5,188 led by women) adopting improved agricultural technologies.

 Low-Pressure Irrigation Systems: The smart application of technology and innovation in Nicaragua, such as providing low-pressure irrigation systems combined with long-term consultancy, helps bridge the gap between what these farms need and what they can feasibly acquire as poor farmers. 

Use of ICTs in Agriculture: There is a proposal for the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to improve agricultural extension in Nicaragua. The paper explains the process, activities, and route map that have to be done to develop ICT tools to support the service in Nicaragua.