Seed and Knowledge Initiative

The primary target group are smallholder farmers and their households.

The secondary group are farmers’ associations and organisations, civil society organisations and policy makers at different levels, in particular those related to the Agriculture Ministry.

1)    Farmers empowered to practice, spread and advocate for agroecology and farmer-led seed systems in their communities, districts, and countries.

2)    Change makers are influenced by stronger movement for agroecology, farmer led seed systems and Farmers’ Rights.

Resultados previstos:  

-    50’000 smallholders, including 25’000 women and 5’000 youth, practicing agroecology;

-    20’000 farmers access seed from seed exchanges and seed banks;

-    2000 smalholders, including 1’200 women and 200 youth, involved in advocacy campaigns;

-    10 advocacy campaigns coordinated (6 at national and 4 at regional level);

-    15 partner organisations and farmer organisations strengthened.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

-    The food security of participating farming communities improved: The Household Dietary Diversity Index increased from 3 to 6.4 out of 8 food groups;

-    The number of smallholders applying agro-ecology expanded from 3’900 to 24’600, including 13’778 women and 3’474 youth;

-    The number of smallholders involved in seed exchanges and seed banks increased from 5’591 to 10’954;

-    147 recorded instances of supportive positions by decision makers for localized nutritious food and seed systems, agro-ecology and/or farmers rights;

-    The share of women in decision-making positions at community and partner levels grew from 54% to 61%.

Swiss supported initiatives:

Strengthening Agrobiodiversity in Southern Africa, the Markets and Seeds Access project, the Integrated Seed Sector Development project, CROPS4HD, the African Union’s Initiative on Ecological Organic Agriculture and the African Seed and Biotechnology Program.

Other donors:

Members of the Team Europe Initiative on Climate Smart Agriculture in Zimbabwe, Trocaire and FCDO.