Latin Women Lead the Fight Against Climate Change Using Indigenous Agriculture
Throughout Latin America, indigenous women use old farming methods to fight climate change. In places like Peru and Guatemala, they work hard to keep food available, protect various plant and animal species, and repair damaged lands. At the same time, they tackle unfair treatment in their communities and other areas.
Reviving Indigenous Wisdom in Peru
In Peru’s Laramate district, climate change’s toll on crop yields prompted Indigenous women to revive ancestral farming practices. By stopping farm chemicals, changing crops often, and using clever watering methods, they’ve made the soil rich again and grown bigger harvests ‒ opening up money-making chances for their families.
The Centro de Culturas Indígenas del Perú (CHIRAPAQ), with help from the UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, played a big part in this change. In an interview with the Harvard International Review, Lucia Rupire, a participant in the training programs, explained her shift to traditional methods:
“As my ancestors did, I started fertilizing with cow, sheep, and alpacas manure. The soil is now more fertile, and our crops are healthier,” she said. Her husband, astonished by their improved harvests, has also embraced these techniques.
In other regions, Kichwa women advocate for shared gardens filled with native crops like dale (a root vegetable) and malambo (a yellow gourd). These gardens combat food insecurity and protect cultural traditions. Luz Sinarahua, a leader in the Chirikyacu community, highlighted their impact:
“Food prices are increasing. Sometimes, we don’t have money for bread. But with beans, yucca, and plantains from the garden, we have enough to feed our families,” she told the Harvard International Review.
These efforts showcase the power of traditional methods to counteract environmental challenges while improving economic and social well-being.
Mexico’s Milpa System
In Mexico, the milpa system ‒ an ancient way of farming by Indigenous people where they grow corn, beans, and squash together ‒ stands as a symbol of strength against climate change. This method enriches the soil, saves water, and keeps many plants and animals alive while giving people essential nutrients.
Studies cited by the Harvard International Review show that milpas outperform monocultures in productivity and resilience. Women, often the custodians of these systems, use harvested crops to create traditional foods like tostadas for local consumption and sale in external markets.
In Chiapas, Indigenous women have led efforts to revive the milpa system in response to growing concerns about the adverse effects of climate change. Their work keeps their communities and cultural traditions alive, too. “Milpas means more than just food,” one person explained. “They show a lifestyle that balances people’s and the environment’s needs.”
When these women talk about the benefits of milpas, they teach kids about long-term farming. This way, future generations will have a strong system that deals with environmental changes.
Guatemala’s Fight for Food Security and Sustainability
In Guatemala, Indigenous women are also leading efforts to combat climate change through traditional farming methods. For instance, the Maya-Mam women in Tuixcajchis have established nurseries to protect native seedlings and promote biodiversity.
These nurseries arose in response to land degradation caused by industrial mining and climate disasters. One older woman explained the motivation behind their work to the Harvard International Review:
“Our streams are drying up, and our land has become desert. We don’t want our children and grandchildren to inherit this reality,” she said.
Guatemala’s milpa system has also been revitalized alongside the K’uxu’rum system, which integrates corn, beans, and cacao trees. This method improves soil moisture retention and nutrient cycling, making it particularly effective in the drought-prone Dry Corridor. These ways change small farms into strong and lasting helpers against climate change ‒ giving people food safety and steady money.
Tackling Unfairness and Thinking Forward
Despite their essential part in farming and fighting climate issues, Indigenous women in Latin America still meet many unfair troubles. They often don’t own land, suffer from poor nutrition more, and feel the effects of climate change more than others.
As the Harvard International Review said, people don’t always see how much they do, but they are key to keeping nature diverse and using long-lasting farming methods. Groups worldwide, like those from the UN, are speaking up more so that these women have a say in important decisions.
These groups want to strengthen Indigenous women and help them do more by giving them chances to learn and financial help. Their leadership helps their own people and shows the world how to deal with climate issues.
Indigenous women in Latin America are leading the way in fighting climate change. They use old wisdom to fix nature, keep food available, and strengthen communities. From Peru’s shared gardens to Mexico’s milpas and Guatemala’s seedling nurseries, their work shows how old ways can solve new problems.
Also Read: Identities of Peruvian Teens Sacrificed 1,500 Years Ago Revealed
As these women continue their efforts, the world must notice and help with their essential work. Their strength and hard work are important for their own people and the future of the whole planet.
