During the June 2019 Climate Justice Alliance staff retreat and planning meetings in Puerto Rico, we joined CJA member group Boricuá Organization for Ecologic Agriculture of Puerto Rico, a 28-year old farmer-led organization dedicated to rebuilding the island’s food sovereignty and supporting farmers. These farmers and their work represent a critical piece of food production, health and livelihood in Puerto Rico. The CJA staff learned about the inspiring #FoodSovereignty work during a work day at the agroecology farm La Botica de la Tierra.
Puerto Rico has rich soil, abundant water and a 12-month growing season. For hundreds of years, the island’s economy was based on agriculture, Puerto Rico’s industrialization after World War II and neoliberal globalization led to a collapse of agricultural production, causing Puerto Ricans to import about 85 percent of their food.
Before Hurricane Maria struck Puert Rico, the movement for food sovereignty was growing with scores of young people returning to the land, establishing new forms of production. Small-scale farmers, who were hit the hardest by the hurricane, had generated hope for an agricultural rebirth amid a decade-long recession.
The CJA staff met with agro-ecologists on the island who are making sure local communities in Puerto Rico take charge of their own recovery, and delivered hands on support for the work.
Photo by Jose D. Figueroa Serra
