Tinamit Toliman

Income Diversification Project

Tinamit Tolimán is an association based in San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, primarily focused on the production and commercialization of coffee. Coffee plays a crucial role in the local economy, as 90% of families in the region depend on the crop as a primary source of income.

Since its establishment, Tinamit Tolimán has prioritized a dignified quality of life for its coffee-farming members as well as environmental protection in the region.

Starting in 2024, Primavera supported Tinamit Tolimán’s participation in a two-year Community- Led Development Incubator, operated by The Chain Collaborative. Throughout the past year, Tinamit have designed a pisciculture project to create an alternative income source and improve food security by constructing tanks to raise tilapia and other fish.

Objectives

  1. Develop a functioning and scalable fish farming system for cooperative use.

  2. Introduce aquaculture as an alternative and sustainable income stream.

  3. Enhance local food security by increasing access to affordable, high-protein food.

  4. Repurpose aquaculture resources (e.g., fish waste water) to support a community vegetable garden.

  5. Build organizational capacity through technical training and infrastructure development.

“We will succeed as a community by continuing to work together, upholding the founding principles of our cooperative and ensuring sustainable wellbeing for all.”
— Vivian Cuc

Progress Highlights

Following initial delays to update the budget, the cooperative made strong progress. Concrete pools are under construction to house fish, and removable industrial covers are being added to protect against rain and maintain water temperature. A local carpenter is building a storage facility for tools, a freezer, and a weighing scale.

A fish farming engineer is closely involved and will deliver the first 500 fish in July, install a container system, and provide hands-on training to the project’s designated manager. More batches of fish will be added progressively, with future relocation to the larger pools.

In an innovative step beyond the original plan, Tinamit Tolimán is using cooperative funds to purchase a water pump. This will allow nutrient-rich water from the fish pools to irrigate a new community vegetable garden—helping address rising food costs and improving community nutrition.

Next Steps

  • Receive first batch of fish and complete training

  • Launch vegetable garden with recycled water

  • Expand fish stock gradually

  • Monitor outcomes and adjust systems accordingly