Mexico Land Restoration
Supporting the transformation of overgrown, degraded land into productive cocoa farms while developing community-shared drying facilities that improve quality and strengthen cooperative networks.
Projects
Attribute
Hacienda RC: New drying facility, built with farm-grown timber.
Finca Cacayo: Shared drying space, strengthening community collaboration.
Hacienda La Luz: 2 hectares restored, 500 new cocoa trees planted.
New plantation of 500 trees on 2 hectares of unused land, balancing wildlife &
Finca Las Delias: Industrial compost shredder to cut waste and enrich soil.
Abner’s Camera Project: Equipping a local creator to document farmer stories
Partnership Overview
Working alongside farming families who have grown cocoa for generations, we’ve helped preserve agroforestry traditions while building new foundations for the future.
Project Overview
This project was our first microproject and the beginning of how we work at origin. In
Mexico, we spent time with cocoa farming families to understand their land, their
challenges, and where thoughtful support could make a real difference. Through a series
of farm-specific microprojects, we helped restore degraded land, improve cocoa quality,
and develop community-shared drying facilities that strengthen collaboration between
farmers. What started as a small, focused initiative created a ripple effect, shaping
lasting partnerships and inspiring future microprojects in other origins.
Project Outcome
Our first microproject led to tangible improvements on the ground while building strong,
trust-based relationships with cocoa farming families. Degraded and underused land
was brought back into production, cocoa quality improved through better post-harvest
infrastructure, and shared facilities encouraged closer collaboration between farmers.
Just as importantly, this project established a long-term sourcing partnership and a
practical framework for future microprojects, creating a foundation for continued impactand growth at origin.
Site Audit
Performed waste and energy assessment; estimated 4–5 tons of daily cow dung.
System Design
Custom fixed-dome digester with gas storage, slurry outlet, and underground piping.
Construction
Took 6 weeks with local masonry labor and prefabricated dome components.
Installation & Integration
Biogas piped directly to kitchen, milking parlor, and backup generator.
Training & Handover
Staff trained on maintenance, gas flow control, and slurry reuse.
Photo Gallery
Measurable Impact
Impact Metrics
4 hectares restored
1,000 cocoa trees planted
2 new shared facilities
Challenges & Innovations
The high elevation of Eldoret meant cooler nights, which can slow digestion. We added thermal insulation and used slurry pre-warming to maintain optimal temperatures and microbial activity.
Conclusion
Biogas is more than a renewable energy solution—it’s a practical, cost-effective tool that empowers farmers to do more with what they already have.
From reducing fuel expenses to improving soil health and creating new revenue streams, the impact is clear. As more small farms adopt this technology, the agricultural landscape in Africa is being reshaped—cleaner, more resilient, and future-ready.
