The mission of BioNica is to provide training in Nicaragua on how to reclaim depleted soil – “Grow the Soil” – so the soil can grow nutritionally balanced crops. Participants include:

1) agricultural technicians working with non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) that have small-scale agricultural projects;

2) small-scale growers; and,

3) university faculty and students in agronomy.

 

 

Training and Research (Capacitacoión y Investigación): BioNica provides training at the Center for Biointensive-Agroecology located at the “Finca El Plantel” of the Universidad Nacional Agraria (national agrarian university).

BioNica also provides Training and Workshops at the locations of small-scale farming projects operated and/or supported by non-governmental organizations and local cooperatives.

BioNica collaborates with the Universidad Nacional Agraria of Nicaragua, Ecology Action (John Jeavons) of California, and Ecología y Población A.C. (ECOPOL) of Mexico to provide resources for training, research, and demonstration of agroecology and the biointensive method as a small-scale agricultural system that builds sustainable soil fertility, conserves natural resources, reduces agricultural water consumption, and offsets the causes and effects of climate change by sequestering large quantities of carbon in the soil and reducing the output of greenhouse gases.

 

 

Extension Program (Demostración): BioNica provides technicians to give on-site technical support to small-scale growers, community-based garden projects, and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s).

By partnering with other organizations (international, national and local), training and technical support is provided in all parts of Nicaragua, including the two autonomous regions of RAAN and RAAS.

 

 

Seed System – availability and diversity: BioNica and ECHO – in collaboration with the Universidad Nacional Agraria – are building a network of seed growers and seed distributors to:

1) diversify the supply of seeds available to small-scale growers by introducing an assortment of vegetables, legumes and grains; and,

2) diversify the inventory of staple crops by introducing varieties from countries with warmer and drier climates, including Africa and Asia.

 

The Centro de Capacitación, Investigación y Demostración del Método Biointensivo de Cultivo en Nicaragua, Inc. (BioNica) is a corporation as defined in Section 102(a)(5) of the State of New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.  BioNica is a Type B corporation pursuant to Section 201 of the State of New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law.

The BioNica is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and is qualified to receive tax deductible donations and bequests under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The federal tax identification number is 46-1555608.

BioNica is classified as a “public charity” under 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.