Cargill and CARE invest $3.5 million to empower rural women in Central America

Cargill and the global NGO CARE announced a $3.5 million, three‑year investment to launch the fourth phase of the "Nutriendo el Futuro" programme. The initiative will operate in 44 communities across Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala, aiming to reach 5,500 people—at least 70 % women—by strengthening economic leadership, organizational capacity, climate resilience and digital financial inclusion. The prior phase (2022‑2025) directly benefited more than 24,000 individuals, raising average participant income by 84 % and improving women’s empowerment scores.

Liliana Barahona, senior sustainability manager at Cargill, said the programme shows how responsible food production can generate concrete opportunities for supply‑chain participants. Meanwhile, the Salvadoran humanitarian group PROVIDA reported training rural women in Chalatenango and La Libertad on food preservation, product development and community health. Supported by Spanish institutions, the projects provided hands‑on skills, technical assistance and health‑focused workshops, aiming to increase economic autonomy and food security for families in El Salvador.