Bitter Cassava for a Sweet Milk

In the Bajo Cauca Antioqueño region, 21 women from social organizations in Caucasia began a training in apiculture on October 12th, coordinated by the Alliance and the National Training Service (SENA). This training was a direct response to the women's expressed interest in bee production, which was initially discussed at the network's meeting on September 10th. The Alliance's social inclusion strategy aims to contribute to the economic independence of women and strengthen their leadership in their communities. Establishing gender integration and social inclusion as a fundamental aspect of its operation is a key challenge for Colanta. On September 30th, 80 Milk Technicians from the Technical Assistance and Milk Quality Improvement departments received training on gender and social inclusion from USAID's Senior Inclusive Development Advisor, Hillery Midkiff. Midkiff presented concepts on the matter and reinforced the role of Colanta's technical team in women empowerment, gender equality, and social inclusion, both within the Cooperative and in the country's livestock production. Apiculture is being promoted as an alternative productive project for women in the municipality of Caucasia (Antioquia). Colanta and USAID are working together to integrate gender and promote social inclusion. The Bitter Cassava for a Sweet Milk activity was part of a dialogue space called "Talk with your Cooperative," which aims to connect Colanta's associates and producers with projects, programs, and services designed for them. The event, held on October 4th in the municipality of Planeta Rica (Antioquia), brought together 117 attendees and provided an opportunity for the Alliance to socialize its progress and benefits offered by the milk and cassava activities. The training in apiculture for 21 women from Caucasia is a significant step towards empowering women in the region. The training is expected to equip the women with the necessary skills to establish and manage their own beekeeping operations, thereby contributing to their economic independence and social inclusion. The Alliance's efforts to promote dialogue and social inclusion among its members and stakeholders are crucial in achieving its goals of women empowerment and economic development. The Bitter Cassava for a Sweet Milk activity, which was part of the "Talk with your Cooperative" event, aimed to promote the benefits of milk and cassava production among Colanta's associates and producers. The event provided a platform for the Alliance to share its progress and benefits with the attendees, who included 117 persons from the municipality of Planeta Rica (Antioquia). The activity is expected to contribute to the economic development of the region and promote social inclusion among the participants.