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.

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. Awarded applications will receive funding and 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)

The overall objective of this project is to develop and validate appropriate agricultural technologies adapted to CC for small holders in the highlands of Guatemala where poverty, malnutrition, lack of opportunities and migration especially to the USA prevails among people of different ethnic Mayan groups.

Guatemala

Promoting Small Farm Technologies for Climate Smart Agriculture and Market Access in Guatemala

Led by José Salvador Vega Prado Leiva, Acceso

Through the Small Farm Technologies for Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Market Access Project, Acceso will work with the Rafael Landívar University (URL) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cattle in Guatemala (MAGA) to lead operations research seeking to catalyze sustainable linkages to established niche markets and increase incomes for farmers.

Guatemala

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

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

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

By researching indigenous vegetables and the supply chains/enabling environment needed for them, stakeholders can more effectively create food and nutrition security for their communities through the integration of indigenous vegetables.

Ghana, Mali

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

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

By promoting the adoption of profitable, and resilient plant health system, this will ensure enhanced crop production and assist in long-term food security

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)

If productivity and marketability of AIVs increases, and if AIVS are mostly produced by women, and if AIVs are nutritious can also be resilient in climate change, then research improving productivity (preharvest and postharvest) and marketability of AIVs will improve community nutrition and promote gender equity.

Kenya

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

Led by Atanda Oladejo, Obafemi Awolowo University

Researching youth engagement with school gardens focused on indigenous vegetables, and necessary input supply chains to support indigenous vegetable production, to increase youth engagement in indigenous vegetable agriculture and reduce poor nutrition related outcomes among youths.

Nigeria

Empowering youth entrepreneurs through appropriate horticulture interventions in Nepal

Led by Bishnu Kumar Bishwakarma, FORWARD Nepal

By empowering youth entrepreneurs through the promotion and incubation of gender-inclusive horticulture enterprises following the lean-startup approach, youth will be more engaged in horticulture and have sustainable livelihoods.

Nepal

Developing innovative horticulture technologies for small-scale women farmers in Uganda

Led by Robert Kajobe, Muni University

The theory of change in this project identified the problem of losses in horticultural crops during the pre-harvest, post-harvest and marketing stages in Uganda. The overall goal of this project is to increase financial independence and improve the livelihoods of small-scale women vegetable farmers. To achieve this goal, we will evaluate different agronomic practices for reduced loss; evaluate different postharvest practices for reduced loss in vegetables; and evaluate different marketing and market access strategies for vegetables by women farmers. This is expected to lead to improved household nutrition status; increased sales of vegetables; and increased household income status of small-scale women farmers.

Uganda

Sorting and grading of harvested tomatoes in Kajiado County.

Determining the trade-offs between short and long horticulture value chains in Kenya

Led by Willis Owino, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

By increasing understandings of the trade-offs of short horticulture value chains versus long horticulture value chains, and the impact of ICT on those value chains, researchers will have critical information to guide where future interventions and innovations should be focused to achieve specific types of outcomes and avoid unintended harmful impacts from scaling/interventions. Furthermore, by collecting this data, researchers outside of Kenya can use the findings and approach as a framework for replication

Kenya

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