The Self-Sustaining Farm – Rancho Grande is a Local Economic Development project led by the Rotary e‑Club of Colombia Innova, in partnership with the Rancho Grande Rural Association of Small Farmers (ANUC Rancho Grande) and with technical support from SENA – National Learning Service.

The farm will be developed on an 8‑hectare land, where diversified crops and livestock production will be integrated under a circular economy and self‑sufficiency model. This approach will make it possible to leverage local resources, reduce operating costs, transform waste into productive inputs, and move toward a sustainable, efficient, and community‑driven agricultural system.

An Estimated duration of 5 years

Aimed at 20 Peasant Families

In Luruaco, Atlantico

100 Direct beneficiaries

Expansion to 102 Families

And More than 1,000 residents of the region

With this project, we seek to comprehensively address the needs of the community, promoting sustainable development and improving their quality of life through agricultural and livestock activities that will provide the following benefits:

Strengthened food security

Ensuring continuous access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food for a healthy life.

Creating stable sources of income

Through the sale of agricultural and livestock surpluses in local markets.

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Lower production costs

Through the use of waste materials, the production of organic fertilizers, and the implementation of circular‑economy practices.

Continuous technical education

In agroecology, food processing, marketing, cooperativism, and business management.

Community empowerment

Especially women and youth, through active participation in decision‑making and in the future farmers’ cooperative.

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Organizational capacity building

Of ANUC Rancho Grande and the beneficiary families, promoting leadership, shared responsibility, and collaborative work.

Environmental improvement

Thanks to agroecological practices, soil conservation, efficient water use, and increased productive biodiversity.

Building social cohesion

Fostering cooperation, trust, and coordination with public and private institutions.

Replicable and sustainable model

Which can be adopted by other rural communities and Rotary clubs interested in Community Economic Development projects.

PLAN FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Production diversification activities for
self-sufficiency

Crops

Vegetables, food staples, aromatic and medicinal plants, forage grasses, living fences of fruit trees

Animal husbandry

Laying hens for the production of free‑range eggs
Broiler chickens for meat production
Pigs and African sheep (up to the rearing stage) for sale

Utilizing surplus production to create extra income

Sale of fresh and processed products derived from agricultural and livestock production
Processing of agricultural products to produce value‑added sub-products (such as flours, preserves, pulps, dehydrated goods, etc.)

Reduction of operational costs through the efficient use of resources and processes to maximize efficiency and minimize waste

Implementation of recycling and composting practices
Production of forage for animal feed
Efficient irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting

Ongoing comprehensive education and capacity‑building for farmers

Productive and agricultural strengthening
Circular economy and environmental sustainability
Rural marketing and entrepreneurship
Community organization and leadership

Establishment of a farmers’ cooperative

Collective marketing of products
Generation of sustainable income and promotion of community savings
Reinvestment in infrastructure, equipment, and new productive lines
Strengthening of governance and the community’s economic autonomy