Latin American countries are working diligently to introduce the One Village, One Product* movement.
New products are being created one after another with the aim of revitalizing regions and towns.
*Converting local specialties into high value-added products and selling them to revitalize the economy. JICA is working in cooperation with each country.
El Salvador - Jam with a reputation for flavor
The city of San Vicente, in the central region of El Salvador, has commercialized jams made from local ingredients. Enjoy the faint fragrance of coconut and the texture of finely chopped pineapple which goes perfectly with ice cream, yogurt, granola, or sour cream. This is a product that represents the region.
Mermelada de piña colada (A jam using local products such as pineapple, etc.)
Guatemala - Modern use of Mayan textiles
Guatemala is said to have 22 ethnic groups, and each has its own patterns and weave methods that have been handed down to today. There are a wide variety of products using traditional woven fabrics, such as wallets and accessory cases, shawls, and women's shoes etc., all of which are colorful and display a delicate charm.
Right: Textiles from the Solola Department. Left: Women's shoes woven in the Totonicapan Department are also sold in New York.
Honduras - A local specialty to stand alongside coffee
Honduras has promoted One Village, One Product in three locations. The northwestern department of Santa Barbara is known as a major coffee producing area but has commercialized the production of wooden toys to foster a new industry. Trainees that returned from study in Japan have taken the lead in this initiative in the local community.
A spinning top (Trompo), one of the folk crafts from San Marcos city in Santa Barbara Department.
Colombia - One Village One Product on a national scale
Producer groups have been involved in the One Village, One Product movement since 2009 in more than 12 locations throughout the country, producing crafts, agriculture and livestock products and tourism products etc. There are a variety of items available for sale, such as traditional South American sombrero (straw hat with a brim), and scenery of the starry sky in the desert and coffee producing areas etc.
Right: Starry sky from Villavieja city. Left: Sombrero from Tuchin city.
Ecuador - Embroidered crafts rooted in daily life
Embroidered crafts have been made since the 1940s using Spanish embroidery techniques in the Zuleta and Esperanza districts of Imbabura Province, located in the Andes Highlands of northern Ecuador. This embroidery, featuring simple patterns matched with soft colors, are local treasures carefully made by local residents.
Producing folk costumes and tablecloths, and wall decorations. These are carefully sewn and can be used for a long time.
Argentina - Creating a more attractive tourist destination
The state of Misiones, which is home to the Iguazu Falls, one of the three largest waterfalls in the world, is working to promote its surrounding attractions and products to tourists who are visiting the area. In addition to the introduction of the nature and lifestyle that has been protected by indigenous people as ecotourism, traditional crafts such as wood carving and rattan products are being developed.
Wood carvings with the motifs of animals and birds that live in the local jungle. The rattan colors and knitting methods vary from family and village.
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