BALTIMORE, MD – Lutheran World Relief is building on its decades of expertise in the global coffee and cocoa markets through a new project that will boost production and quality and create jobs in Honduras.
The Opportunities for Circular and Inclusive Diversification in Agriculture (OCIDA) project is a five-year, USD 8.54 million (CAD 12.3 million) initiative centered in Honduras’ Dry Corridor, a rural, drought-prone region where most of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the OCIDA project is strengthening market systems for 7,000 producers and entrepreneurs working in the coffee, cocoa and horticulture sectors in the departments of Copán, Santa Bárbara, Ocotepeque, Lempira, Intibucá and La Paz.
Lutheran World Relief is implementing OCIDA along with a consortium led by Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada (MEDA). Other key partners include Fundación para el Desarrollo Empresarial Rural (FUNDER), ALTERNA, Mennonite Social Action Committee (CASM) and Fundación Capital.
Through OCIDA, Lutheran World Relief helps farmers implement circular farming techniques, so project participants can maximize sustainable resources and minimize waste. Farmers receive technical training in agroforestry and post-harvest handling, which improves their productivity and crop quality and makes them more competitive in the global coffee and cocoa market.
The project supports more than 80 enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cooperatives, and producers’ associations, including those led by women and young adults. These enterprises will benefit from greater market access facilitated by advanced technology, targeted technical assistance, financial services and robust business development opportunities.
The OCIDA project is not merely an agricultural initiative; it is a transformative force for sustainable change. By centering circular economy principles, we are not only fostering resilience within ecosystems but also ensuring that resources are used to their fullest potential—creating a sustainable future for generations. Through empowering women and young people, we are unlocking untapped leadership and economic potential. This is about more than just improving livelihoods; it’s about building systems that prioritize people and the planet. In collaboration with our partners, we are creating lasting, positive impact that aligns with our mission to alleviate poverty and work alongside communities to build a brighter, more prosperous future for all.
The official launch of OCIDA was celebrated on March 19 during the high-level forum “Reimagining the Dry Corridor: Circular Economy and Inclusive Agriculture” in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Attended by Honduran government officials, development experts, international cooperation leaders, private sector representatives, and civil society groups, the event served as a platform to exchange best practices in economic development and agricultural innovation.
During the forum, the Government of Honduras signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GAC and MEDA, solidifying their commitment to collaboration and ensuring the success of OCIDA for the benefit of the Honduran people.
About Lutheran World Relief
Founded in 1945, Lutheran World Relief is an U.S.-based international development and aid organization working across Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. We collaborate with local partners to grow resilient rural economies, reduce poverty, and we respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Lutheran World Relief leads rural economic development programming at Corus International, an organization that unites an array of world-class nonprofits and businesses, each with specialized expertise. Our reach and capabilities are amplified by the other global leaders in our Corus family, including IMA World Health, CGA Technologies and Ground Up Investing. Together, we bring the multi-dimensional, holistic solutions needed to truly achieve lasting change.
About MEDA
MEDA – Mennonite Economic Development Associates – is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to reduce poverty. Our programs and investments drive transformation of agrifood systems to create economic and employment opportunities for women and youth. Since 1953, MEDA has advanced agricultural transformation in 83 countries.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Karen Pavon, Director of Central America, Lutheran World Relief