Scaling Indigenous agricultural innovation by merging ancestral Maya farming (kanché) with modern sustainable technology to empower youth, strengthen food security, and preserve culture.
What is VMPI?
A culturally responsive, replicable training institute that blends traditional ecological knowledge with hydroponics and protected agriculture. VMPI equips Indigenous youth (15–24) with technical skills, business tools, and leadership training to become agro-entrepreneurs and community leaders.
The Challenge
- 65% of Maya youth live below the poverty line in parts of the Zona Maya.
- Traditional agricultural knowledge is rapidly disappearing.
- Climate change stresses ancestral systems, worsening food insecurity.
Our Approach
- Culturally grounded: Revitalize kanché and milpa alongside protected agriculture.
- Social franchise: Hub-and-node model replicable across communities.
- Enterprise-ready: Agribusiness training, co-ops, and market access.