Chihuahua Promotes Urban Farming and Dairy Skills in Ciudad Juárez

The Secretariat of Rural Development (SDR) of Chihuahua organized free workshops in Ciudad Juárez, focusing on artisanal cheese making and backyard agriculture. This effort, under the state program 'Cuenta Conmigo en el Campo,' aims to enhance economic autonomy and food security in urban and peri-urban areas.

In total, 47 participants attended the workshops. The dairy transformation module was attended by 22 individuals, who learned technical skills for producing fresh cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese. Miguel Núñez, a regional liaison for the SDR, stated that the workshop used a practical methodology tailored to local conditions with easily accessible materials, aiming to optimize milk use, lower household food costs, and produce marketable surpluses.

Concurrently, 25 citizens were trained in installing and managing urban and backyard gardens. The agronomic content covered appropriate soil preparation, efficient irrigation, and integrated pest management. This initiative seeks to promote food self-sufficiency in the border region by encouraging the consumption of fresh vegetables and reducing ecological impact through sustainable use of home spaces.

The training is part of a technical support scheme by the SDR, which plans to conduct approximately 18 additional courses in the border area. Future programming will include workshops on sausage making, new dairy products, and agricultural production techniques, coordinated with State Government Community Centers to build a network of local small producers.

By bringing technical training to urban and peri-urban populations, the state authority aims to reduce food insecurity and unemployment by encouraging small-scale entrepreneurship. Enhancing the value of liquid milk and self-producing food are key tools for stimulating Ciudad Juárez's economy and providing financial resilience to vulnerable families.