Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Purpose

P000912001: This project aims to scale up the results and innovations developed by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) in conservation agriculture among the poorest farmers (men and women) in East Africa. CFGB has previously demonstrated that conservation agriculture can result in improved food security and improved livelihoods for East African smallholder farmers. Traditional practices of subsistence agriculture are characterized by a low use of inputs and high vulnerability to soil deterioration and increasingly variable climactic conditions. Conservation agriculture focuses on enhancing soil fertility, improved moisture retention and reduced soil erosion and tillage through environmentally responsible agricultural practices. In so doing, it is an effective way to improve the food security and livelihoods of the poorest farmers in East Africa. The project targets the families of 18,000 farmers (of which 40% are women-headed households) for a total of 90,000 beneficiaries in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. The project is based on three core activities: 1) support to productivity through technical support services (e.g. minimum tillage, soil protection with crop residue, synergy between farming and agriculture, etc.), the establishment of groups savings and the development of links between the public and private sectors to increase capital production of farmers; 2) networking between individuals and organizations to provide information and technical assistance; and 3) political influence and awareness to incorporate conservation agriculture in broader national policy in the target countries to benefit the greatest number. The project is implemented in collaboration with the following local partners: In Ethiopia: FH Ethiopia (formerly Food for the Hungry Ethiopia), Migbare Senay Children and Family Support Organization, Terepeza Development Association; In Kenya: Anglican Development Services in Mount Kenya, Central Rift and Western District, SASOL Foundation, and the Utooni Development Organizations; and in Tanzania: African Inland Church of Tanzania Diocese of Geita and Mara/Ukerewe, and the Diocese of Central Tanganyika Development Services Company.P000912002: The extended project aims to protect and strengthen the livelihoods and food security for smallholder farming households affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). The extended project works to support small farmers in a number of African countries to alleviate the impact of COVID-19. Project activities include: (1) increasing access by women and men smallholder farmers to gender equitable remote, and mobile agricultural extension services, and to markets; (2) providing access to community-based saving groups to capital for the purchase of agricultural inputs, equipment and other assets and household necessities provided; (3) producing air remote extension messages by local radio stations concerning climate-smart agricultural production in rural and peri-urban areas, as well as COVID-19 messaging; and (4) providing training to teach appropriate post-harvest storage techniques and facilities to be used at household and community levels. The extended project is aiming to reach 100,000 direct beneficiaries (21,600 women, 18,400 men, 30,000 girls and 30,000 boys).