The photo above is from the San Juan site in June 1992 in Costa Rica. It shows how the young maize emerges through the mulch of Inga marginata following first pruning. The trees received a further, light pruning 2-3 weeks later. The resulting crop was heavy and completely weed-free. Both maize and bean seeds possess enough reserves to push through the mulch, whereas the seeds of weed species cannot do so. No chemicals were used on any Inga plot during the whole of the project's duration.

The story of how this has come about is told in a recent article (Feb 2005) in The Ecologist by Daniel Elkan. There has also been an article in the Guardian in April 2004. So far, more than 4,000 farmers have been shown plots of Inga alley-cropping at demonstration farms in Honduras and Rainforest Saver are keen to involve farmers from further afield including Guatemala to see for themselves the benefits of working with Inga trees in this way. We will be helping to spread greater awareness of this technique in Guatemala in the coming months.

Photo to the left shows Rueben Mendoza on the edge of his Inga alley plot in front of his second maize crop in succeeding years on a previously unproductive site.

Most impressive of all are the comments from farmers whose lives have been changed by this new way of farming the land. As quoted from The Ecologist article: "Victor Coronado from Atlantida in northern Honduras was one of the first [farmers to get involved]. His initial response was sceptical. 'The first thing I thought was that it doesn't make sense to plant corn or beans under the trees,' Coronado recalls. However, as Hands was only asking him to give up a small part of his land, not large enough to risk his livelihood, he agreed to give it a try.

Six years on, Coronado stands surrounded by proof that Hands' technique works. Where there used to be grass and weeds, tall, leafy maize plants now rise above his head. In a field nearby, alley-cropped pepper plants are flourishing, while in Coronado's kitchen there is plenty of the vanilla that he grew last year.

More than 30 farmers have adopted the scheme, each with a plot of Inga alley-cropping located only metres from their home. With the crops so close by, they can be more easily guarded from wild animals, and the rest of the family members are more easily able to help in the field. 'When I go out it does not worry me now, because my wife, my daughter or a neighbour can look after the crops,' says Coronado. In fact, Coronado's wife took over the running of the pepper crop completely. After harvesting and grinding, she mixed it with cumin and sold it in the town square. 'She has made $900 for the family selling pepper,' Coronado beams. 'All of us can produce crops that are 100 per cent organic. If more farmers get involved, between us we could even sell some of the crops abroad.'"


The above picture from Google Earth shows the depletion of the rainforest around Lake Peten Itza in northern Guatemala. In Honduras, gradually alley cropping is growing in popularity. However, extra resources need to be found to make sure there are enough Inga seeds to meet the growing demand. Extra resources could also help publicise this incredibly simple, yet effective technique which can impact on so many people's lives.