# Box 4: Experiences with indigenous peoples, women’s and youth groups since the start of PSA-PROINDER

## **Indigenous Peoples**

PROINDER continues and expands upon the work that, since the establishment of the Social Program for Agriculture (PSA) in 1993, had been started with indigenous communities. PSA-PROINDER offers aboriginal beneficiaries the opportunity to participate in decision making. Nationwide, 5,500 indigenous people participate in on-farm consumption and infrastructure investment subprojects, especially for irrigation water, handicrafts centers, and land improvements. Over half of these beneficiaries are from the Province of Salta, with aboriginal communities representing 70% of this province’s total beneficiaries.

Formosa’s Provincial Coordination Unit, which evaluates and approves subprojects, has 20 indigenous delegates. From 1998 to 2001 the Project for Experimentation and Provision of Water to Aboriginal Communities was carried out, benefiting 768 families (around 3,840 people) with hydraulic works in 34 communities. This signified the resolution of water problems in the communities, and the training of 30 indigenous technicians from different ethnic groups in drilling and in the design and generation of appropriate technology. The project was executed by means of coordinated efforts among the region’s NGOs (APCD, the Zonal Training Center–CECAZO, the Parochial Team for Aboriginal Pastoral Issues–EPPA, the Institute of Popular Culture–INCUPO, the National Institute of Indigenous Affairs–INAI), and the National University of Formosa.

## **Rural Women**

As of the year 2000, women beneficiaries of PSA totaled 10,000 throughout the country, representing 28% of all recipients of financing both for subprojects supporting production for on-farm consumption and for sale. From 2001 to 2005, PROINDER was able to benefit 20,000 rural women, representing 40% of the country’s total beneficiaries. In parallel, it helped them increase their participation and their managerial and organizational capacity, resulting in concrete achievements with regard to productive issues (greater participation by women with their products being presented at regional and provincial fairs) and other aspects of quality of life (housing, schools, health centers, scholarships, etc.).

Systematic work has also contributed to a marked increase in women’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth, together with a recognition of the rights of women in general and of rural women in particular. Over the years, this process has become institutionalized. Currently, a peasant woman and a technician are participating in the Coordination Unit of the Latin American Network of Rural Women. This unit also coordinates the National Network of Female Technicians and Institutions working with Rural Women— TRAMA—which brings together 100 female agricultural technicians from 27 governmental and nongovernmental institutions. In 2004, the PSA introduced an exclusive line of financing for groups of women, stemming from the recognition of their dual role as producer and housewife, with the objective of alleviating their housework. Over 50 subprojects are currently being formulated throughout the country, out of the 150 planned for 2005.

## **Youth**

With regard to youth, systematic work began in 2004, and rural youth were incorporated as specific actors, to be financed by PSA–PROINDER, since PROINDER’s original formulation did not include financing for this group. The PSA–PROINDER work process showed a clear need to incorporate an exclusive line of subprojects for youth. Since that time and to date human resources have been trained (technicians as well as youth) on productive issues (agricultural and non-agricultural) and on youth-specific issues. This process is accompanied by the development and dissemination of specific materials (specific teaching materials, dissemination of existing studies and bibliographic material). Sixty subprojects, out of the 150 planned for 2005, are in the process of being formulated and appraised. _Source:_ PROINDER (2005) 44