Exploring ‘Mens et Manus’ in Guatemala
Innovating Agricultural Practices: A New Era for Mayan Farmers in Guatemala
Hands-On Experience with Technology
In June 2024, at the University del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), two Mayan farmers’ cooperatives were introduced to advanced agricultural technology. Guided by Rodrigo Aragón, a professor of mechanical engineering at UVG, these farmers learned how to operate an industrial ultrasound machine. For them, this was a significant opportunity. “For us, it is a dream to be able to interact with technology,” expressed Francisca Elizabeth Saloj Saloj, a member of the Ija’tz women’s collective from Guatemala’s highlands.
After a long journey from their mountainous homes, these farmers brought along bags of rosemary, chamomile, and thyme, aiming to learn about essential oil extraction methods. Currently, they sell their herbs in local markets primarily for medicinal and culinary uses. Aragón believes that with new technological insights, they can find ways to enhance the value of their harvests by transforming herbs into products like perfumes, tinctures, and syrups. Such innovations could lead to increased income for their families.
ASPIRE: A Transformative Initiative
This engagement is part of a larger initiative called ASPIRE — Achieving Sustainable Partnerships for Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship. This five-year, $15 million project is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed by MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, in collaboration with UVG and the Guatemalan Export Association (AGEXPORT). Launched in 2021, ASPIRE aims to strengthen universities in Central America, enabling them to develop practical solutions for local challenges.
Elizabeth Hoffecker, a research scientist at MIT and ASPIRE co-principal investigator, shares that the project’s goal is to foster productive partnerships between researchers and community members. By doing this, they hope to produce relevant research that can influence local development policies.
Building an Ecosystem for Innovation
UVG has adopted ASPIRE as part of its strategic plan, envisioning widespread changes in its approach to education and research. Taking cues from MIT’s development strategies, including participatory design and low-cost technologies, the program is expanding to reach more universities across the region.
Mónica Stein, vice-rector for research and outreach at UVG, highlights the ambition of their educational institution. “We want to thrive and lead the country in research and teaching,” she says. Through ASPIRE, the university aims to increase the effectiveness of local research, which, in turn, could improve environmental, health, educational, and economic outcomes.
Fostering Local Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Implementing innovative solutions in agriculture can be challenging, but with guidance from trained facilitators, UVG’s faculty and students are adapting to new methodologies. Initiatives at the university include hackathons, makerspaces, and entrepreneurship competitions, all designed to address sustainable development goals.
Daniel Frey, the principal investigator for ASPIRE at MIT, believes that a venture mentoring service at UVG is already producing promising results. The goal is not only to foster entrepreneurship among students but also to improve livelihoods for indigenous and marginalized communities.
Cooperating with AGEXPORT, the ASPIRE team is focusing on enhancing the value chains of key crops like snow peas. Adilia Blandón, a research project manager at ASPIRE, mentions the importance of improving the harvest process, noting that many crops are wasted or sold as animal feed due to cosmetic imperfections. To address this, the team has developed a prototype collection cart that allows for gentler handling of these delicate crops.
Collaborations Driving New Solutions
Participatory design has empowered local communities to express their needs and brainstorm solutions collaboratively. This approach has opened new opportunities, such as the suggestion to grind snow peas into flour, which can then be used in traditional recipes shared via messaging apps. This not only helps manage food waste but also offers a nutritious option for families.
Other projects emerging from ASPIRE include educational toolkits aimed at avocado producers, designed to improve agricultural practices and increase marketability. Ana Lucia Solano, UVG’s Research Director, is particularly enthusiastic about an animated educational game that teaches farmers about the financial effects of various farming practices.
At the UVG Altiplano campus, mechanical engineering instructor Jeremías Morales is developing solutions to assist local farmers with difficult tasks. His workshops focus on creating tools and strategies to ease labor-intensive processes like planting seedlings.
Empowering Communities
The ASPIRE initiative is dedicated to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among local farmers and empowering them to develop solutions tailored to their specific challenges. For instance, a group of women designed a home corn mill to alleviate the burden of communal milling, illustrating how local innovation can significantly enhance quality of life.
Victor Hugo Ayerdi, an ASPIRE project manager and UVG professor, emphasizes the shift towards a more innovative mindset among students and faculty. By embracing the MIT philosophy of “mens et manus”— or “mind and hand”— they aim to encourage creativity and entrepreneurial efforts that can drive economic growth in Guatemala.
Looking ahead, the ASPIRE project envisions extending its impact to other Central American universities, creating a network for shared learning and problem-solving addressing regional challenges. With ongoing commitment and collaboration, this initiative hopes to shape a sustainable future for Guatemala and its agricultural communities.
