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Agriculture & Income-Generating Initiatives

In developing countries, farmers are some of the most food-insecure members of society. Farm yields are constrained by availability and affordability of quality seeds and fertilizers. Climate change has made weather patterns unpredictable, which affects planting and harvesting seasons, as well as the availability of fodder for animal herds. Those in rural areas often lack access to markets where they can get a fair price for their produce.

Rise Against Hunger aims to increase agricultural production and incomes through programs promoting improved agricultural methods, business skills, and market access. Our programming helps smallholder farmers build resilience to the shocks and stresses of climate change by promoting ecological approaches to agriculture as well as diversification.

For those who do not grow their own food, income is a key determinant in acquiring adequate nutrition. Through business training, we help individuals increase their earning potential and thus their consistent access to food.

Our Empowering Communities Initiatives

Below, find descriptions of our ongoing Empowering Communities initiatives around the globe.

Project 1 Empowerment Through Enterprise Project 1 Empowerment Through Enterprise

Empowerment Through Enterprise
Vietnam

Rise Against Hunger and Children of Vietnam scaled up their work to break the cycle of poverty for children and families by assisting single mothers through a program called Empowerment through Enterprise. The goal of the program is to increase incomes and support nutritious diets for single mothers and their children in central Vietnam by providing financial literacy and business development training through which participants learn to develop a business plan for their microenterprise and receive a small grant to scale up their business. Read more.

Project 1 Empowerment Through Enterprise

Siloe Agricultural Development Initiative
Haiti

To empower local families to become self-sufficient and break the cycle of poverty, Rise Against Hunger and Hearts and Hands for Haiti are partnering with 350 farming households and nearly 600 youth to educate on improved crop production practices. The initiative has several objectives to build toward sustainability, including the introduction of improved technologies like on-farm crop production and fish farming, promotion of dietary diversity and safe nutrition, access to clean water, and increased school attendance for children who previously collected water. Read more.

Jai Prabha | India Sustainable Livelihoods Initiative
India

The goal of the India Sustainable Livelihoods Initiative is to increase incomes and access to sufficient food, by training farmers on the farming of a new crop, Moringa. In partnership with a local Bihar organization, Jai Prabha Mahila Vikas Kendra and Rise Against Hunger India, the initiative should increase the per acre income of 100 farmers and their families (500 beneficiaries) by promoting Moringa planting in one acre units and increase return on livestock by promoting goat rearing and cattle rearing based on Moringa feed. Read more.

Cambodia Climate Smart Agriculture Cambodia Climate Smart Agriculture

Introducing Climate Smart Agriculture in Cambodia
Cambodia

To address the state of food insecurity in Cambodian communities, partners Food Resource Bank and World Hope International are piloting two agricultural innovations that are adaptive to climate change, directly impact household food security and will be studied for their commercial viability by establishing scalable links to markets. The program provides women farmers the opportunity to develop their agricultural and business skills through an initiative to grow climate-smart crops such as mushroom grow houses. Project participants receive training in organic horticulture, basic business management and assistance with access to food markets, including supermarkets, processors and restaurants and the area served will receive increased access to clean, safe water, via wells that can provide water for household and garden use for up to 200 families. Read more.

Enabling Year-Round Food Access in Kenya
Kenya

In partnership with U.S.-based nonprofit organization Foods Resource Bank, we are supporting an existing program in the Tigania region of Meru County, Kenya, which seeks to improve food security for 1,000 people (200 households) by improving the availability of a variety of foods in the community and the ability of households to access food throughout the year. The initiative focuses on income diversification by supporting poultry farming, tree planting for food and firewood, as well as diversifying the field crops. At least 50% of selected participants will be women, receiving skills training and support with farm inputs and assets. Caregivers for children under age five will also be trained on safe hygiene and sanitation practices. Read more.

Building Resilience to Climate Change in Nicaragua
Nicaragua

In partnership with Foods Resource Bank, farmers in Carazo, Nicaragua are learning sustainable agriculture methods which reverse environmental degradation and maximize scarce water resources. Families are restoring soil through crop rotation and mitigating risk of crop failure by planting a larger variety of crops, including drought-resistant varieties. Foods Resource Bank’s in-country partners are also training community leaders how to advocate within their municipalities for water access and climate adaptation plans. To date, three communities have gained access to piped water due to their willingness to hand dig five miles of trenches for the pipes — part of their cost-share in an agreement with the government. By 2019, 625 beneficiaries will possess the skills to provide their children more nutritious foods, guard their crops against climate-related shocks and gain access to potable water. Read more.

Build Empowerment Around The World

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