Peru : testimony

My name is Julia. I am a peasant in the region of Huánuco in Peru. I have five children and I am a widow. My children are living and working in the city, so I am alone. As part of the program I am following with IDMA (a partner of Iles de Paix), I have drawn my dream farm, and therefore the goals I would like to reach. And as long as I am enough healthy, I will go on.

One of my biggest motivations is to offer consumers healthy products, because I see that they like them! This is what encourages me to sow more each season! Currently, I have 50 species of plants and trees on my plot of land. For a few years now, I have been a member of the AGRECU cooperative, through which I can market my products by several means.

The challenging time of Covid-19 was very difficult because I could not go to the market to sell my fruits and vegetables. Everyone had to stay at home. What helped me to overcome this crisis was the loyalty of my customers, born at the market. From now on, some of them place orders with me! They come directly to pick them up at my place, or wait to meet me at the market. This loyalty really warms my heart. Moreover, my neighbours see that my sales are quite successful and are also thinking about switching to agroecology.

Personally, the agroecological transition links me to my roots, my culture, my values; because working this way reminds me of how my mother was working in the fields. When I get more income, I pay my nephews and nieces to come and help me on the plot. In addition to the tip that this gives them, they see and understand more sustainable ways of working in the fields!