Ricarda’s Farm and the Power of Ag Loans

On the rural plains of southern Honduras resides 25-year-old, bean and potato farmer, Ricarda Martinez. She lives in a small village in the state or departamento of Intibuca, with her father and two sisters, one of whom is disabled and requires her care. She is not married and has no kids, but she does run her family’s farm with loans provided by Adelante. Ricarda got her first agricultural loan of L. 5,000 ($208) two years ago and is currently on her third loan of L. 8,000 ($333).

Life in rural Intibuca is considerably more difficult than in other parts of the country. There is no electrical energy, running water, or any other form of communication to the cities. Farms are usually spread apart, leaving little opportunities for commercial activity. Women who are starting their path to independence often opt for Agricultural loans to start their business.

Ricarda lives with her father and two sisters in a small 5-bedroom house owned by her brother, who works as a security guard at the neighboring city of La Esperanza. She works 2 manzanas (1.4 hectares) of land with her father Ricardo, who at 57 years old endures the same long hours working the land as any young farmer. Her father, as well as the rest of her family, are dependent on Adelante loans to buy their agricultural supplies. Becoming the loan borrower has allowed Ricarda to play a crucial role in the decisions regarding the farm, and she has rightfully earned the ¼ of the land which will be her inheritance.

In the future, Ricarda hopes to build her own clay house on the same property, currently owned by her father.

“Any time my brother might come back with his family and kick us out, so it’s better if we have our place,” Ricarda explains.

Adelante is the only microfinance institution that covers these sections of the countryside, providing opportunities for women like Ricarda to sustain themselves as well as to learn about other business possibilities outside the field.