Agriculture and food in El Salvador

Agriculture in El Salvador

El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It covers an area of 21,041 km2 (8,124 sq mi) and has a population of approximately 6.3 million people. El Salvador is bordered by Honduras to the north, Guatemala to the northwest, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Its easternmost region lies on the coast of the Gulf of Fonseca, opposite Nicaragua. The capital and largest city are San Salvador; Santa Ana and Soyapango are also notable cities. El Salvador was for centuries inhabited by several Mesoamerican nations, especially the Cuzcatlecs, as well as the Lenca and Maya. In the early 16th century, the Spanish Empire conquered the territory, incorporating it into the Viceroyalty of New Spain. In 1821, the country achieved independence from Spain as part of the First Mexican Empire, then became a republic in 1823. From the late 19th to the mid-20th century, El Salvador endured chronic political and economic instability characterized by coups, revolts, and a succession of authoritarian rulers. The conflict ended with a negotiated settlement that included the abolition of the military regime, and the establishment of a multiparty constitutional republic, headed by Juan José Caamaño. National Reconciliation Day is celebrated on June 16, commemorating the end of the civil war. El Salvador has the fourth-highest homicide rate in the world, and human rights organizations have reported prevalent gang activity and related violence by the police. With an extremely low perception of public security, according to the Americas Barometer by Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), El Salvador ranks 115th out of 182 countries in the world. The 2010 U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory warns travelers of crime and gang activity throughout the country, noting that "local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crime." In addition, it notes that "armed gangs, some with links to drug trafficking organizations, operate freely and engage in violent criminal activity such as murder, rape, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, and robbery." The National Civil Police (PNC) is the national police force of El Salvador. It is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The PNC has undergone a process of professionalization since its inception in 1998, but it suffers from corruption, lack of resources, and a high rate of crime. The National Police Academy trains new recruits. There are also a number of specialized units, including the Special Reaction Force, the K-9 Unit, and the Highway Patrol. The PNC is supported by the military in some areas, but the two forces operate independently of each other. El Salvador has a total of 19 prisons, 17 of which are run by the government, and two are privately run. The prison population is approximately 8,500, with an occupancy rate of nearly 400%. Prisons in El Salvador are overcrowded, dangerous, and lack basic services. Inmates often have to pay for their own food and medical care, and conditions are unsanitary. The economy of El Salvador is based primarily on agriculture, industry, and services. Agriculture accounts for about 15% of GDP and employs nearly one-fifth of the labor force. The industrial sector has experienced steady growth in recent years and now accounts for around a quarter of GDP, while the service sector makes up the majority of economic activity. El Salvador's main exports are coffee, sugar, and textiles. Remittances from Salvadorans living abroad account for around a fifth of GDP and are the country's main source of foreign exchange. El Salvador has signed free trade agreements with the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The economy of El Salvador has been affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, as well as by political unrest. In the wake of the country's 12-year civil war (1980-1992), which led to the death of around 75,000 people, the economy experienced a period of strong growth. However, this was followed by a period of stagnation in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since 2004, the economy has grown steadily, with GDP expanding by an average of 3.5% per year between 2004 and 2008. Inflation has remained relatively low, at around 2%, while unemployment has declined from a high of over 12% in 2003 to around 6% in 2008. However, poverty remains a significant problem, with around 30% of the population living below the national poverty line. El Salvador's economy was severely affected by the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. GDP contracted by 3.3% in 2009, and unemployment rose to around 12%. However, the economy began to recover in 2010, with GDP expanding by 1.1%. Inflation also began to rise, reaching 3.6% in 2010. The Salvadoran government has made recent efforts to boost the economy through increased investment in infrastructure and tourism, as well as through tax incentives for businesses. It remains to be seen whether these measures will be successful in further reducing poverty and promoting economic growth. El Salvador has a diverse agricultural sector, producing a variety of crops for both domestic and export markets. The country's main agricultural products include coffee, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and onions. El Salvador is also a major producer of livestock, including cattle, pigs, chickens, and sheep. In recent years, the Salvadoran government has made a concerted effort to diversify the country's agricultural sector and promote sustainable farming practices. One of the most important initiatives has been the "National Plan for the Transformation of the Agricultural Sector" (Plan Nacional de Transformación del Sector Agrícola), which seeks to increase agricultural productivity, improve food security, and generate economic growth. The Plan Nacional de Transformación del Sector Agrícola includes a number of specific goals, such as increasing the amount of land under cultivation, expanding irrigation infrastructure, and strengthening the country's agricultural research and extension services. In addition, the government has created a number of programs to assist small-scale farmers, including subsidies for agricultural inputs and technical training. Despite these efforts, El Salvador's agricultural sector faces a number of challenges. One of the most significant is the country's high levels of soil erosion, which are caused by unsustainable farming practices and deforestation. As a result of soil erosion, agricultural productivity has declined in recent years, and the country's food security is at risk. In addition, El Salvador's agricultural sector is highly dependent on imported inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides. This dependence makes the sector vulnerable to external shocks, such as increases in global commodity prices. The government of El Salvador has taken a number of steps to address these challenges and improve the country's agricultural sector. In 2015, the government launched the "National Strategy for the Transformation of the Agricultural Sector" (Estrategia Nacional de Transformación del Sector Agrícola), which sets out a roadmap for the sector's development over the next decade. The strategy includes a number of specific actions, such as increasing investment in agricultural research and development, promoting sustainable farming practices, and expanding access to markets for small-scale farmers. El Salvador is a country in Central America with a strong culture and rich history. The people of El Salvador are known for their hard work, love of family, and friendly nature. There is a strong sense of community in El Salvador, and people are quick to help their neighbors. El Salvador has a rich musical tradition, and its music is a mix of indigenous, European, and African influences. The country's folk music is very popular, and its traditional dances are enjoyed by all. El Salvador's cuisine is a blend of Mesoamerican and European influences. The country's dishes are typically hearty and filling, and they often feature beans, corn, and meat. Salvadoran coffee is also very popular, and it is often served with milk and sugar. El Salvador is a beautiful country with a lot to offer visitors. Its culture is unique and its people are friendly and welcoming. If you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy yourself, El Salvador is the perfect destination. El Salvador is a predominantly Catholic country, with around two-thirds of the population adhering to that faith. Protestantism and other Christian denominations make up the remaining one-third. There is a small Muslim community, mostly made up of immigrants from other countries in the Middle East. El Salvador's constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and there is generally a respectful atmosphere between religious groups in the country. However, relations between the Catholic Church and the government have sometimes been strained, particularly over issues such as abortion and contraception. The Catholic Church has significant influence in El Salvador, both through its own institutions and through its close ties to the conservative political party, the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA). ARENA was founded in 1981 by Roberto D'Aubuisson, a former army officer who was widely accused of involvement in death squad activity during the country's civil war. Although Catholic Church leaders have condemned the violence, they have also been critical of left-wing governments, and some have been accused of supporting right-wing death squads. El Salvador's Protestant churches have generally been more supportive of the country's left-wing governments. They have been active in promoting social justice and working for peace during times of conflict. The evangelical churches, in particular, have seen rapid growth in recent years, and now makeup around 15% of the population. There has been a small but steady increase in the number of Muslims in El Salvador in recent years, mostly as a result of immigration from other countries in the Middle East. The Muslim community is generally well-integrated and there have been no significant tensions between them and other religious groups.