Context & Challenges
At Mayma, we believe every territory holds the capacity to adapt and regenerate in the face of climate challenges. In Northern Patagonia, Chile, rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns have led to a severe water crisis: between 2021 and 2023, water deficits reached between 40% and 60% in some areas—deeply affecting agricultural production and food sovereignty. This region—comprised of Los Lagos, Los Ríos, and La Araucanía—hosts 75% of Chile’s smallholder family farmers, with a significant Indigenous population and high levels of rural poverty.
Today, small-scale agriculture faces limited access to irrigation, an official state of agricultural emergency, and growing pressure on natural ecosystems. In this context, we see a unique opportunity to strengthen the resilience of farming communities through knowledge, technology, and collaboration.
Our Initiative
Over three years, we are implementing a capacity-building program for 80 rural, Indigenous, and emerging smallholder farmers in Northern Patagonia.
Our strategy combines:
- Sustainable water management and agroforestry: practices tailored to the new climate reality.
- Data-driven approach: integrating ancestral knowledge, satellite imagery, and real-time soil and crop measurements.
- Community-based learning: creating four practice-based learning communities of 20 farmers each, with monthly gatherings for peer learning and collaboration.
Through this initiative, we aim to foster scalable climate adaptation models that ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Our Approach
Using a living lab methodology, we:
- Train local technicians and strengthen on-the-ground capacities.
- Measure and analyze water balance, crop selection, and nature-based solutions (NBS).
- Co-create personalized resilience roadmaps for each farming unit.
- Promote a culture of collaboration and data-informed decision-making.
- Collective work among agricultural communities will be key to building trust, strengthening local networks, and paving the way for new development opportunities.
Scalability & Replicability
In the first two years (starting May 2025), we will conduct a proof of concept with the 80 selected farmers, tracking progress in water resilience, data integration, and community strengthening.
From year three onward, we aim to:
- Incubate new technologies for improved agricultural diagnostics.
- Scale the program to other regions in Chile and Latin America.
Chile’s water crisis is just one example of a growing global challenge. Our experience aims to become a replicable model for other farming communities adapting to shifting climate conditions.
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