Inclusive Agricultural Growth

Growth in the agriculture sector has been shown in some areas to be more effective than growth in other sectors at lifting men and women out of poverty — increasing food availability, generating income from production, creating employment and entrepreneurship opportunities throughout value chains, and spurring growth in rural and urban economies. Fruit and vegetable production and markets have a big impact, as these crops generate high economic returns per unit of land. Farmers who grow high-value horticulture crops consistently earn more than those who grow other commodities, allowing smallholder farmers to derive additional income and driving agricultural and economic diversification. Innovation in horticulture crops, including postharvest entrepreneurial opportunities, offer increased production, value-added income, and long-term investment opportunities.

Strengthening the horticulture sector in Niger

Led by Erin McGuire , University of California, Davis

The project builds on the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s efforts in Niger by strengthening key horticulture value chains and increasing the capacity of actors in the horticulture sector through this Mission buy-in from the USAID Mission in Niger.

Niger

Strengthening the horticulture sector in Guinea Bissau

Led by Dr. Naalamle Amissah , University of Ghana

The horticulture sector in Guinea Bissau offers significant promise that remains untapped. This project will strengthen input supply, production strategies, and build institutional capacity in higher education, national research, and within farmer groups, primarily groups led by women.

Guinea Bissau

Empowering Young Horticulture Researchers in Honduras

Led by Julio López Montes, Panamerican Agricultural School, Zamorano

A fellowship-oriented program that provides seed funding to higher-education students in Honduras to conduct small-scale research projects across the horticulture value chain. Students will be guided through a grant drafting and submission training program to increase capacity in applying for funding, and supporting expertise to implement research projects.

Honduras

Promoting technology for horticulture production as adaptation to climate change in Guatemala

Led by Rolando Cifuentes, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG)

For highland farmers who face elevated risks due to climate change, this project identifies the most effective protective structures, irrigation technologies, practices to improve soil health, and postharvest management practices to ensure the production of high-quality, safe, and nutritious produce.

Guatemala

Advancing farm technologies for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable market access

Led by José Salvador Vega Prado Leiva, Acceso

Focused on improving the income and livelihoods of local producers, this project identifies protective structures that maximize horticultural production and quality, and enhancements for access to postharvest technology and market linkages.

Guatemala

Promoting of food and nutrition security through indigenous fruits and vegetables in Ghana and Mali

Promoting food and nutrition security in the West African sub-region through indigenous, neglected and underutilized fruits and vegetables

Led by Dr. Freda E. Asem, University of Ghana

Providing a deeper understanding of the significant role African indigenous fruit and vegetable (AIFVs) have in global food and nutrition security, this project investigates how actors along the value chain can increase income through enhanced production and consumption of and AIFVs in Ghana and Mali.

Ghana, Mali

Mitigating soilborne diseases to improve smallholder farmer livelihoods and food security in Nepal

Led by Ram Khadka, Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC)

To ensure long-term food and nutritional security for marginalized farmers in Nepal, this project focuses on developing accessible technologies to reduce soil-borne pathogens to increase vegetable production yields.

Nepal

Enhancing productivity, post-harvest management, and market access of African indigenous vegetables in Kenya

Led by Mumina Shibia, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)

A project focused on improving the livelihoods of small-scale producer women and youth farmers through increasing productivity, reducing postharvest losses, and enhancing market access to African indigenous vegetables (AIVs).

Kenya

Engaging youths in the production of indigenous vegetables and fruits in Nigeria

Increasing youth participation in the production of indigenous vegetables and fruits using climate-smart approaches leveraging locally available resources

Led by Atanda Oladejo, Obafemi Awolowo University

This research aims to increase employment opportunities in the horticulture sector through youth engagement with climate-smart soil management practices and digital tools to enhance African indigenous fruit and vegetable (AIFV) production.

Nigeria

Empowering youth entrepreneurs through appropriate horticulture interventions in Nepal

Led by Rishikesh Dhakal, FORWARD Nepal

This project engages youth in gender-inclusive horticultural enterprise through the identification of profitable opportunities and creation of an effective financing framework, thus empowering young entrepreneurs to select and run successful horticultural businesses.

Nepal

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