ABSTRACT
In Nicaragua, Hurricane Mitch caused total damages of approximately US$988 million, whereas the productive sector, especially agriculture, denoted the highest damages. This chapter presents the findings of an ethnographic field study carried out from December 2006 to May 2007 in a Nicaraguan peasant community named Sontule. It explains the empirical evidence that highlights the crucial role of soil conservation practices for enhancing resilience in rural areas such as Sontule. From the peasants’ point of view, the establishment of soil conservation practices is basically tied to two obstacles: the substantial material and financial resources required for the construction of soil conservation measures as well as the lack of short-term benefits accruing from these practices. The implementation of soil conservation practices as well as the mentioned technological change after Mitch has taken place in Sontule independently of the peasants belonging to a specific socioeconomic group.
