Better fertilizer use in Sahel (#106516)Crop production in the Sahel — a semi-arid region that covers several African countries including Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, and northern Benin — is limited by drought and poor soil fertility. Crippling famine is often the end result. Fortunately, several innovative technologies, such as rainwater harvesting and fertilizer micro-dosing, can reduce famine by increasing crop yield. Micro-dosing involves addition of small doses of fertilizers to crops at sowing or shortly after seed germination and establishment. Although the technology can more than double crop yield, few farmers have adopted it, due to their limited capital and inadequate policy supports.
Better vegetable growing opportunities for Nigerian women (#106511)
Growing and gathering vegetable is an extremely important livelihood activity for women in rural Nigeria, who make up a majority of the rural labour force. Vegetable are major foodstuffs for poor rural women and their families, as they often cannot afford stables such as milk, eggs, and meat. New technologies and approaches must be developed to improve farming practices. Doing so will increase the range of commercially viable vegetable varieties that are grown, and will improve nutrition, income, and food security for Nigeria’s rural poor.
Food security, fish farming, and aquaculture in the Bolivian Amazon (#106524)
Despite recent economic growth in South America, the Amazon region of Bolivia is home to some of the poorest people in the world. One in five Bolivians lives in extreme poverty — including primarily women, children, and indigenous people. Archaeological evidence indicates that people in rural areas used to be involved in sophisticated fish-farming systems that fed much of the population. Unfortunately, this potential is not being realized today. Although fish could be a major source of protein for area residents, it is often only a small part of their diets. If fishing practices were further developed, they would considerably improve the food security of the most vulnerable in this region, particularly women and ethnic minorities.
From farm to fork: Improving nutrition in the Caribbean (#106525)
Obesity rates are on the rise in the Caribbean. This is due in large part to the limited attention Caribbean countries have paid to local food production. They have relief instead on economic development through exports of plantation crops. As a result, there is a high dependence on imports of high calorie, low nutrition foods. This has created a paradox of obesity and poor nutrition, which threatens population health throughout the region.
Improving pulse crops in southern Ethiopia (#106305)Ethiopia suffers from high levels of food insecurity, exacerbated by population growth, land degradation, and frequent droughts. Pulse crops — the edible seeds from crops such as chickpeas, lentils, and faba beans — are important to Ethiopian farmers because they provide an alternative source of protein, income, and food security. When used in crop rotation, pulse crops can increase soil fertility and improve soil health. However, those used in Ethiopia typically provide low yields and inadequate protein, and have limited capacity to improve the soil.
Increasing millet production in South Asia (#106506)
Despite the nutritional benefits, tolerance for difficult growing conditions, and ease of storage, minor millets have consequently been neglected by government agricultural policy in South Asia, which has put the emphasis on cash crops and cereals like rice and wheat. Minor millets have long been an important and nutritious part of the diets of small-scale farmers and indigenous groups in the area. Research in needed to help revitalize the development of improved millet species among small-scale farmers and indigenous groups in South Asia.
Integrated crop and goat breeding in Tanzania (#106512)More than 80% of Tanzanians live in rural areas and depend on a crap and livestock, goats rank second only to cattle in terms of their contribution to the income and nutrition of the rural poor. However, the feeding practices used by farmers in Tanzania often result in poor growth rates and low milk production rates for goats.
Organic farming in the Peruvian Andes (#106526)Poverty in Peru is almost three times higher in rural areas than in urban areas, and is even worse in the Andean region. Organic agriculture is often promoted as a sustainable way to increase overall farm performance, reduce poverty, mitigate climate change, and improve food security. However, without sound ecological, social and economic research, organic farming alone can do little to improve farmer’s livelihoods.
Promoting aquaculture in rural Sri Lanka (#106342)
To diversity its rural economy and increase food production, Sri Lanka is placing priority on aquaculture, particularly the northern and eastern provinces, which recently emerged from civil conflict. While aquaculture holds promise, it needs to be managed in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Increased access to knowledge is required in order to develop ecologically sound and profitable aquaculture systems. Enhancing familiarity with alternative production options is critical to ensure that aquaculture successfully contributes to sustainable rural livelihoods.
Reducing malnutrition in India's agricultural hotspots (#106505)
Many of India’s poor live in rural areas that are heavily dependent on agriculture. Local crops have a rich heritage of generic diversity, but this diversity is often threatened by government policies that promote rice and wheat cultivation. This results in a disconnect between the high potential of agricultural land and the poverty and malnutrition of the people who live on it.
Scaling up agricultural innovations in Kenya (#106510)
Farming in Kenya’s arid regions is particularly challenging because of low and erratic rainfall, land and water depletion, and the resulting declines in agricultural productivity. Climate change is also having negative impacts on households. Unfortunately, effective technologies developed by decades of agricultural research have not been adopted by farmers. Policy efforts have failed to relieve hunger and malnutrition. Innovative farming and marketing strategies are needed to deal with the challenges of growing crops on arid lands.
Tapping the trees for sheep feed in Mali (#106515)Sheep herding plays a significant role in the livelihoods of rural households in Mali and other semi-arid countries of West Africa. Although sheep herding could improve the incomes of rural women, its potential is not being realized because a lack of feed reduces the meat production of sheep. Agroforestry offers the potential for better herd management, as it can supply nutrients not otherwise available.
Traditional grains boost nutrition in rural India (#106314)Malnutrition afflicts more people in India than anywhere else in the developing world. While staple foods such as wheat and rice are subsidized by the government, the subsidies do not consistently reach those most in need. The availability of affordable and nutritious alternative grains and legumes could help alleviate poverty and nutrition insecurity in rural India, particularly among vulnerable women and children.