While greater rice yields have helped rural communities become more food-sufficient, most farming households remain without income-generating activity for nearly half of the year, as the rice season extends only from November to April. A diet composed primarily of rice does not provide adequate nutrition for proper growth and health. We therefore promote the diversification of crops and livestock to improve income, food security and nutrition.

Starting in the northwest region of Sofia, our activities have expanded to the Diana, Sava, Itasy and Analamanga regions. For example, we support cocoa farmers in Diana to improve the quality of their crops and help them access markets. In addition to cocoa, other cash crops such as Artemisia (used in antimalarial drugs) are being introduced to improve farmers’ incomes.

Other new crops and livestock include dairy, small livestock, vanilla, cocoa, coffee, spices, medicinal and perfume plants.

Nutrition and Environmental Protection

Nutrition is also becoming a key focus with the introduction of sweet potatoes and “edible forests” (with banana trees, jackfruit and breadfruit). These not only add nutritious fruit and vegetables to the rice staple, but also improve crop diversity and soil quality.

Environmental improvement efforts are complemented by the introduction of conservation agriculture techniques aimed at protecting natural capital and mitigating against some of the effects of a changing climate such as hotter summers and wetter winters. We support the adoption of innovative rice cultivation systems (including agroecology, agroforestry and livestock integration) that are holistic, gender-inclusive, environmentally friendly and climate-smart, while improving nutritional status, dietary diversity and economic inclusion.