Poverty and household food security have long been endemic in the Cuchumatanes highlands. Previous development attempts by various agencies and organizations have been uncoordinated and limited in their scope and investments, and have had little success. The harsh conditions of the highlands are not reserved as the major food security constraint. Rather, the problem of food security is related to lack of a systematic, sustainable and adequately funded effort to improve food crop production, income and the overall living conditions of small peasant farmers.

Based on these elements, the ongoing project is aimed at, first, increasing production and the productivity of traditional crops by approximately 20%, thus improving levels of household consumption. Second, through crop diversification – via the introduction of vegetable and fruit crops and on-farm, small-scale irrigation schemes – more intensive and profitable productive schemes would be introduced, providing possibilities for increased agricultural incomes. Third, the availability of credit and strong validation and extension support would guarantee that financial resources and technologies went to small farmers to introduce improved practices, inputs, diversification and farm investments.

A very important element of the project strategy deals with strong farmer participation and the improvement of the marketing and price conditions of the target group’s agricultural products. The aim is to organize and provide training to grass-roots peasant groups in order to create a better bargaining capacity through storage and handling facilities, price information and access to better markets.

Finally, the ecological situation of the area is of outmost concern, and ongoing activities are oriented towards (a) the cessation and reversal of soil, water, rangeland and forest mismanagement; (b) the establishment of "sustainable" farming practices and systems; and (c) the support and financing of soil, water and rangeland conservation works.

The project involves 10 000 poor peasant families, mostly in Mayan communities.