We work with communities to support productive and profitable farming and business practices, and prepare youth to take advantage of economic opportunities. We also support communities to establish savings groups and manage natural resources sustainably, providing the foundations on which better livelihoods can be built.
Our focus is on supporting families to be able to provide better for themselves, so that children will have nutritious food to eat and their parents will have enough money to send them to school and give them the best start in life.
Food Security & Resilient Agriculture
To reduce hunger, improving agriculture on small farms is critical. We support farmers with drought resistant seeds, and promote the adoption farming methods appropriate to the climate in order to help communities increase crop production. World Vision also supports households and farmers groups to develop horticulture and backyard gardening to increase the diversity of crops available – this reduces risk and also helps improve nutrition. In some cases, improved breed livestock are provided, which can better stand the harsh conditions and provide an alternative source of nutrition and income. We also work with farmers to increase crop productivity through providing access to improved seeds and farming tools and deliver training in more efficient farming practices.
It is also critical that the natural resource base on which small farming depends is protected and developed. We support communities to farm and manage natural resources in a sustainable way, to prevent soil erosion, maintain soil fertility, and use water more efficiently. We also support communities to anticipate, prepare for and respond to disasters and shocks. These initiatives help communities reduce their vulnerability so they can better survive when disaster strikes.
Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration
Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) is a low cost land restoration technique. It involves the re-growth and management of trees and stumps from felled tree stumps, sprouting roots or seeds. The re-grown vegetation – integrated into crop land or grazing pastures – helps restore soil fertility, protects from soil erosion and support the land absorb rainfall so it can be harnessed for crop production and replenish water sources. As a result, FMNR can double crop yields, provide a sustainable source of timber and firewood, fodder and shade for livestock, wild foods and nutrition and medication, and increased incomes and living standards for farming families and communities.
Conservation Agriculture
Conservation agriculture is a set of farming practices that help farmers achieve better yields and profits in the short term, while protecting and restoring the natural environment so it can continue to support livelihoods in the long term. The approach is based on making the most efficient use of available natural resources and biological processes above and below the ground, in order to improve crop yields and allow a greater variety of crops to be produced. The approach has proven effective over a range of environments and can be replicated easily at low cost.