By: CropLife International
Agriculture is essential for the women who weave, create, farm, and preserve the traditions of rural communities in Latin America.
The tie between agriculture, fabric, and clothing is stronger than many realize, especially in rural communities. Often, crops grown on the farm serve as feed for the animals whose wool is woven, crafted, or made into textiles and other garments.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) partnered with fashion and lifestyle publisher Vogue and Corteva, an agriculture company, to photograph rural women in Latin American communities who rely on what they grow to support what they wear.
According to IICA, these women produce 51% of the food in Latin America. But while they spend their days on the land, they also devote their time to craftwork and caring for their families.
Celeste Valero, Edilberta Pica, Noemi Valero and Lucrecia Cruz – Jujuy, Argentina
All photos by Cecilia Duarte, Brazil
RUTILA AJANEL IXTABALAN
GUATEMALA
Artisan and creator of the Xanil brand, she learned to plant corn and sweet potato, to sell products at popular fairs, and to tell the story of Mayan culture through her embroidery.
Mayans were agricultural innovators. They used techniques like crop rotation and terraced planting to grow enough food to feed their cities. In Rutila’s community, agriculture is just as important now as it was to their ancestors.
MADAGLENA COYOTE
GUATEMALA
Coyote, a Guatemalan artisan, farmer and philanthropist, wears traditional Mayan clothing.Each color representing a different aspect of her life and history.
