Description

Video. In the late 1990s, Guyana’s Amerindians of the Rupununi experienced severe droughts, crop failure and hunger. There was little opportunity for them in the region, so they worked away from home in mines and logging camps to provide the bare necessities of life. They asked for help, and in 2001 the USAID funded Peanut CRSP committed to a project that made available the expertise of peanut scientists from universities in the USA. The Goal: alleviation of povery by better peanut production practices. After 6 years of effort by a team of scientists, engineers, and development practitioners, the Peanut CRSP project achieved a large increase in production and provided a model development experience for all involved. In addition to increased peanut production, school feeding changed to using local products, cottage industries were establised and employment opportunities were created, epceically for women. Meet the people who made this happen and see some of their lasting achievements.