Loan Opportunity: Grupo Murlota
The Problem
Grupo Murlota addresses the systemic barriers that prevent rural women in Mexico from building sustainable livelihoods through poultry farming.
Limited Economic Opportunities for Women
Rural women face steep barriers to employment, land, and credit. Only 45.5% of women participate in the labor force, compared to 75% of men. This limits their ability to generate income and improve household stability.
Lack of Tools and Knowledge to Scale Agricultural Enterprises
Approximately 80% of rural farmers in Mexico are smallholders, and few are part of formal groups—making scale nearly impossible. Even women eager to raise poultry lack access to training, infrastructure, or reliable markets beyond the backyard.
Inadequate Household Nutrition
In rural regions, 61% of people live in poverty, earning an average of 3,800 pesos—well below the national average of 10,200 pesos. Protein intake is limited, and although eggs are an ideal source, production is inconsistent and access remains unreliable.
The Solution
Grupo Murlota, a 12-year-old social enterprise led by Dr. Itzel Suarez, equips women with the tools to become poultry entrepreneurs. Their vertically integrated model spans the entire value chain—from chick production to egg distribution.
Their model includes:
Hands-on training in animal care and microenterprise management
Startup kits: mature hens, coops, feeders, water systems
Technical assistance to ensure long-term success
Egg buy-back program with resale to national grocery chains
Hatchery and training center in Sinaloa to localize chick supply
The Impact
Outputs
50,000+ women launched poultry microenterprises
Fully bundled starter kits distributed
Aggregated egg sales to major retailers
Chick hatchery and training center operational in Sinaloa
Outcomes
Increased household income from formal egg sales
Improved household protein intake for better nutrition
Strengthened rural supply chain and local sourcing capacity
The Opportunity
Through our partnership with Beneficial Returns, UI Charitable donors can invest directly in Grupo Murlota via their donor-advised fund (DAF). This is catalytic capital with modest returns and measurable impact.
Structure: 3-year loan
Returns: 3.5% annually, paid quarterly
Minimum investment: $10,000
Impact: Expand poultry-based livelihoods and improve rural nutrition
This is a rare opportunity to deploy charitable capital into a proven, scalable social enterprise at the intersection of women’s economic mobility and food security.
Learn More
Learn more about Grupo Murlota on our recent podcast with Beneficial Returns