From Island Roots to Local Bakeries: Women Entrepreneurs Equip Their Business with JICA, CENTA and CIS

San Salvador, El Salvador. As part of the CIS Women’s Enterprises and Empowerment Program, the Center for Interchange and Solidarity (CIS) continues to promote economic autonomy and sustainable development for rural-coastal women. Through the project "Strengthening Productive Capacity and Diversification of Coconut Derivatives in El Espíritu Santo Island", a strategic partnership has been established alongside the National Center for Agricultural and Forestry Technology (CENTA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

This initiative aims to transform the local economy by diversifying coconut processing to supply new markets, including bakeries, pastry shops, and ice cream manufacturers.

To ensure a functional and safe working environment, CIS has spearheaded the support of this business group through infrastructure upgrades and an investment of nearly $5,000 in specialized machinery:

  • CIS Infrastructure Development: Construction of a storage warehouse, sanitation facilities, building repainting, and the ongoing upgrade of the electrical system.

  • CIS Industrial Machinery Donation: An industrial coconut cutter and a semi-industrial oven, crucial for processing coconut raw materials efficiently.

Technical Assistance and Complementary Tools

CENTA is providing continuous technical training, instructing the women in operating the machinery and formulating new products such as coconut flour and shredded coconut.

Through CENTA's coordination within this collaborative project framework, JICA-Japan provided a donation of industrial kitchen tools valued at $992.87, which includes:

  • 1 Probe thermometer

  • 4 Measuring cup sets and 4 1-qt measuring pitchers

  • 3 Aluminum sheet pans and 2 24 x 32.5 sheet pans

  • 6 Stainless steel bowls and 2 stainless steel strainers

  • 2 Perforated steel trays

  • 2 Potato mashers

For over two decades, CIS has accompanied rural women in El Salvador, strengthening their self-esteem, leadership, and economic independence through solidarity and organized work.

CIS Promoción y Artesanía