The United States, through its Department of Agriculture (USDA), has partnered with El Salvador's Secretariat of Trade and Investment to remodel facilities at the National School of Agriculture (ENA). This collaboration, which also involved the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), focused on refurbishing seven dormitories that accommodate 300 students pursuing technical degrees in agronomy. Additionally, a classroom dedicated to academic training was remodeled.
The project, named “Rehabilitation of Infrastructure and Basic Furniture Supply for Dormitories, Classrooms, and Laboratories at ENA Project,” had a total budget of $3,344,449. The U.S., via USDA’s Food for Progress program, contributed $2,047,000. Meanwhile, the Government of El Salvador provided $1,296,000 as counterpart funding.
Initiated on March 1, 2021, the remodeling concluded on December 31, 2024. It included refurbishing and furnishing 182 dormitory rooms, 14 bathroom and shower units, 18 study rooms, two laundry modules, and two water storage tank modules. Future plans aim to modernize agricultural education further by renovating administrative buildings and improving internal roads and the electrical grid.
U.S. Ambassador William Duncan remarked during the event: “When we support agriculture and young Salvadorans, we support the future of this country. You can trust that we will continue to look for ways to strengthen El Salvador’s agricultural sector.”
Secretary of Trade and Investment Miguel Kattan highlighted the link between economic growth and education: “We understand that there is no growth without education. This is why we support efforts to enhance the training of new generations."
ENA Director Odette Varela noted: “With the recent renovation of dormitories...we have provided students with a more suitable environment for their development.”
Currently housing 300 students—35% women and 65% men—the institution employs around 200 staff members including faculty and field workers. Since its founding in 1956, ENA has been instrumental in educating professionals who contribute significantly to agriculture.