We continue to focus our efforts on improving the production and livelihood capabilities of poor smallholder farmers. We introduce farmers to new technologies that are appropriate to their needs, while helping them save and access credit so they can increase their profits in local markets. We work with farmers on Maize, Soya and Rice value chain introducing varieties and techniques to make their farms more productive and give them a role as seed suppliers, while also integrating others across the production, sale, storage and marketing stages. We also work to improve post harvest storage systems with sweet potato farmers to ensure stronger food security through the lean season and increase their profit potential.
Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)
Climate change is now an accepted reality – the earth’s climate is warming. More frequent and longer-lasting periods of extreme temperatures are now a reality, as are more frequent and less predictable flood events and dry-spells.
The communities that we work with are on the front line of these climate effects. The communities that we work with rely heavily on farming, fishing and livestock-rearing for their livelihood and find themselves in an increasingly precarious position. For example, many of the farmers we work with must now plant their seeds two or three times in a year because rains fail during the early stages of crop growth and final yields are harshly compromised.
We're supporting communities to adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices which adapt their farming systems to become more resilient to a less predictable climate. The practices we are promoting include the diversification of crop varieties, increasing access to improved farming skills and technologies, and strengthening links with the private sector to facilitate access to agricultural inputs from seeds, to new equipment such as solar water pumps.
We work towards the survival and wellbeing of the most vulnerable people in the communities we operate, while ensuring they obtain the knowledge and resources to keep themselves and their families healthy and nourished.
CMAM
Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) approach to tackling acute malnutrition has been extremely effective, so much so that it has been adopted by COMMDEF as the most preferred approach for tackling malnutrition in the communities we work.
The central principle of CMAM is to treat malnourished children in their homes. As a result, it reaches more children and reduces the risks and expenses in travel for carers, malnourished children and their siblings.