El Salvador currently has the second highest level of ecological degradation in Latin America. About 80% of the territory is affected by soil erosion, caused by traditional farming methods and the progressive destruction of the country’s natural forests.

To reverse these trends, ASAPROSAR teaches farmers how to prevent soil erosion and use organic fertilizers and pesticides. The farmers then plant model parcels to show other farmers the effectiveness of the methods.

Because malnutrition is rampant in many rural areas, ASAPROSAR encourages the farmers to grow nutritious crops, such as soybeans, fruit trees and tomatoes. Their families learn how to plant vegetable gardens. ASAPROSAR-trained nutritionists give classes for the mothers, with topics such as how to prepare delicious dishes from soybeans.

ASAPROSAR works closely with Heifer International to supply goats, rabbits, hens and bees to poor rural families. The families make a commitment to give some of the offspring to other families in their community, following the Heifer tradition of “passing on the gift.” Milk from the goats, eggs from the hens, meat from the rabbits and honey from the bees provide desperately needed nutrition to these families.

ASAPROSAR also works with school children to organize environmental education projects in their schools, such as water purification.