As expats, foreigners and tourists in Panama we often see (or want to see) the attractive side of this country; the glamorous Panama City skyline, cheap medical tourism, fancy Pacific Ocean resorts, sport fishing etc.
There is also the “other side” of Panama. One that rarely (if ever) makes the front page news or the advertising campaigns or even our very own online forums.
Poverty in Panama affects 1.015.000 persons, who represent 37,1 % of the entire population of the country. Of that number, more than half a million live in conditions of extreme poverty, that is to say they do not manage to fulfill minimal nutritional and quality of life requirements.
As Panamanian Nourishment Health Authority reports, approximately 76 % of Panama’s “poor” are in rural areas and almost 88 % of the population in extreme poverty reside in Panama’s rural native reserve areas.
On a national level, more than 150.000 children, five years or younger, live in poverty. This represents 52 % of Panama’s children! More than half…
To help to diminish these embarrassing stats the Patronage of Nutrition, is working on a new program called Farms For Development and Self-sustainable Production.
Up to the date, there are already 314 farms at national level, which benefit more than 31.000 persons. The program’s goal is the creation of 250 additional farms in the next six years.
The Fund For Social Investment (FIS) contributes approximately $ 25.000 to the construction of new farms and $ 10.000 to improve the already existing farms. Even though it is helpful, this kind of money is not nearly enough and, in my opinion, is there so the powers that be can claim that they are committed in new social programs.
In the beginning, the farms were created to help improve food securityat home by means of easy and immediate access to food sources. Further more, the farms provide employment and production surplus revenue for their communal owners and workers.
Twelve years later, a new vision comes into play, since now the auto-sustainable farms enter the rural agricultural tourism arena. In particular one of the 65 farms in the province of Cocle appears to be very active in its new role.
It is farm is located in Copé, within the Omar Torrijos Herrera National Park, an area protected by the National Ambiance Authority (ANAM) and a tourist draw much visited by nationals and foreigners alike.The farm practices organic farming and aims to produce everything that could diminish the under-nourishment of the 14 families that run it.
Although the life in the field is not easy, Alejandro Rodríguez, president of the Farm, said that by means of this program he can feed his children, and help in reducing the under-nourishment levels.
Under the new program, these farms will be able to gain access to loans to reinforce their facilities and to construct tourist ranches for the visitors who seek to experience Panama’s agricultural life.
Eventually, these farms will become producers’ associations (co-ops), and will be able to continue with activities not only for subsistence, but as small agriculture businesses.
At present four big associations of farms exist in Panama West, Colon, Chagres and Penonomé, Panama East and Veraguas.
Along the same lines, the Martinelli administration is now planning the creation of about 20.000 orchards and 500 auto-sustainable farms during its five years of government.
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