Supply

Supply

The implementation at the supply side works on the biophysical (soil, water, biodiversity) and on socio-economic factors.

Implementation Strategy

The focus of the activities of the supply implementation strategy are guided by insights from the demand approach to provide project support to neglected and unterutilized species (NUS) seed and food production, which are demand driven and result in livelihood improvements related to improved food security, increased incomes, and environmental benefits. The implementation at the supply side works on the biophysical factors (soil, water, biodiversity) as well as socio-economic factors (access to knowledge and innovation, social organization). The project concentrates on three key elements: genetic diversity; agronomy and agroecological production; peasants’ organization and seed systems. The three key elements run in parallel, support each other, and tackle the food and seed system.

CROPS4HD promotes a mix of extension methodologies, where the horizontal knowledge exchange among farmers, the joint learning in farmer field schools and on demonstration plots is steadily combined with a more formal Participatory On-Farm Research (POR) methodology and capacity building and empowerment via train-the-trainer.

After identification of the best-suited cultivars based on on-farm Participatory Cultivar Testing (PCT) and nutritional analysis, CROPS4HD multiplies these cultivars. Guidance on high quality seed multiplication starting from sowing, harvesting, drying, cleaning, storing and packaging will is provided to peasants as well as training in the assessment of seed quality. This allows developing seed quality standards that peasants can conduct. Governance and business models for spreading this high quality seed of NUS cultivars CROPS4HD will be developed under demand activities.

Based on high quality seed of adapted cultivars and optimized farming practice developed under POR testing the most locally relevant agroecological approaches, the peasants can produce NUS for their own household and for local markets. If NUS can be produced on larger scale, business development starts, combined with awareness creation on the benefits of NUS, market development approaches and policy recommendations for healthier diets.

Key Outcomes

Tanzania
  1. 12 crops (NUS crops, non‐NUS crops and NUS varieties) are newly cultivated at farm level.
  2. Volume of NUS leaving farm gate is increased by 10%.
  3. Incomes of 8’000 peasants are increased.
  4. Food security of 8’000 peasants is improved.
  5. Climate resilience of 6’000 peasants is improved.
Chad
  1. 10 crops (NUS crops, non‐NUS crops and NUS varieties) are newly cultivated at farm level.
  2. Volume of NUS leaving farm gate is increased by 10%.
  3. Incomes of 1’900 peasants are increased.
  4. Food security of 3’000 peasants is improved.
  5. Climate resilience of 3’000 peasants is improved.

Niger
  1. 10 crops (NUS crops, non‐NUS crops and NUS varieties) are newly cultivated at farm level.
  2. Volume of NUS leaving farm gate is increased by 30%.
  3. Incomes of 3’600 peasants are increased.
  4. Food security of 4’000 peasants is improved.
  5. Climate resilience of 4’000 peasants is improved.

India
  1. 20 crops (NUS crops, non‐NUS crops and NUS varieties) are newly cultivated at farm level.
  2. Volume of NUS leaving farm gate is increased by 10%.
  3. Incomes of 3’000 peasants are increased.
  4. Food security of 5’000 peasants is improved.
  5. Climate resilience of 5’000 peasants is improved.

Recent News

Testimonials: agroecological innovations in India

The following testimonials highlight how farmers from the CROPS4HD project have rediscovered the value of locally available materials. The results are visible in healthier crops, improved resilience to weather fluctuations, and noticeable gains in productivity. Together, these stories reflect a broader movement toward sustainable agriculture that is rooted in experimentation, traditional practices and self-sufficiency.

Full article

Inspiring Women Farmers in the Marketplace: Innovation in Red Gram Processing

In a village in Karnataka’s Dharwad District, India, a group of landless women has redefined rural entrepreneurship by transforming traditional food processing into a viable and sustainable business. The Shri Vinayaka Self-Help Group (SHG) began their journey with limited resources but a shared determination to improve their livelihoods.

Full article