Rural poverty in Latin America is more extensive and deeper than urban poverty. Although progress has been made in most of the region, it has not been enough to reduce poverty. In real numbers, it has actually increased in certain areas and countries. The notable rural emigration is a reflection of the insufficiency of the fields to generate enough jobs with the proper distribution and sustainability to improve rural life. Rural poverty is closely tied to low productivity, which limits global competitiveness, and encourages rapid environmental deterioration.

The challenge in rural poverty is complex and has many causes. Therefore, answers must be integral and involve participation at various levels of intervention. Education programs, enriched by the experiences of institutional outreach with rural communities, give Zamorano a rich and unique platform for the effective learning and benefit of rural communities.

Solid academic approaches, accompanied by intensive work with rural schools and youth, producers and other local economic agents, community leaders, local governments and central political agencies are permanent characteristics of our programs.

Zamorano understands that to alleviate rural poverty, it is necessary to improve the organization and performance of the small and mid-sized rural business, facilitate access to financing and services, enhance productivity and integrate the small producer into the national and global markets. It is also necessary to increase nonagricultural rural income through services and products that are complementary to rural activity.

Our Programs delves further into this subject.