Maize (or corn) is a central part of the Guatemalan diet, as well as an important cultural symbol. So, why is it becoming harder for people to access at a time when the country imports more of it than ever?

In this episode, researcher Carrie Seay-Fleming takes us through over fifty years of agricultural development programs in Guatemala to get a deeper understanding of U.S. efforts to shape Central American economies. We'll discuss how the supposed solution to rural poverty wound up becoming a major driver of migration from rural communities, and how U.S. food programs have deepened the risk of hunger in Guatemala.

Credits

Guest: Carrie Seay-Fleming, Ph.D. candidate and the University of Colorado, Boulder. Author of "Food Insecurity in the Northern Triangle: Leveraging Agricultural Policies and Programs for the Benefit of Smallholders".

Host: Joseph Flores

Producer: Joseph Flores

Sponsored by the Strauss Center for International Security and Law.

Find the full interview text and more resources at the Tangled Roots website here.