CIFSRF CARICOM Food Security Project This factsheet is a product of the CIFSRF CARICOM Food Security Project. The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) is a program of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD). Smallholder Farmer Potential In the Caribbean, these unsung heroes generate rural employment, and produce fresh foods needed for the health and wellbeing of the local population, on farms typically 1-3 acres in size. The Challenge Despite their importance, smallholder farmers face myriad challenges that often stifle innovation (low access to technology, low cash flow, high exposure to natural disasters, minimal policy support, and poor coordination). The CARICOM Farm to Fork Food Security Project This Project is working to improve the design of government policies and programs to assist smallholder farmers to innovate and adapt to change. By better understanding and identifying social capital rooted within rural communities, the project has highlighted an untapped community resource that can be used to increase innovation and support farmer coordination. Socioeconomics & Market Access. No. 2 September 2013 Harnessing the Potential of Smallholder Farmers to Innovate On-farm, Marquis, Saint Lucia Women Farmer Focus Group , Parika Backdam, Guyana

Fact Sheet - Harnessing the Potential of Smallholder Farmers to Innovate

Download PDF Report

Upload
from-farm-to-fork-cifsrf-caricom-food-security-project
View
216
Download
0

Tags:

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Citation preview

Page 1: Fact Sheet - Harnessing the Potential of Smallholder Farmers to Innovate

CIFSRF CARICOMFood Security Project

This factsheet is a product of the CIFSRF CARICOM Food Security Project. The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF) is a program of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD).

Smallholder Farmer PotentialIn the Caribbean, these unsung heroes generate rural employment, and produce fresh foods needed for the health and wellbeing of the local population, on farms typically 1-3 acres in size.

The ChallengeDespite their importance, smallholder farmers face myriad challenges that often stifle innovation (low access to technology, low cash flow, high exposure to natural disasters, minimal policy support, and poor coordination).

The CARICOM Farm to Fork Food Security ProjectThis Project is working to improve the design of government policies and programs to assist smallholder farmers to innovate and adapt to change. By better understanding and identifying social capital rooted within rural communities, the project has highlighted an untapped community resource that can be used to increase innovation and support farmer coordination.

Socioeconomics & Market Access. No. 2

September 2013

Harnessing the Potential of SmallholderFarmers to Innovate

On-farm, Marquis, Saint Lucia

Women Farmer Focus Group , Parika Backdam, Guyana

Page 2: Fact Sheet - Harnessing the Potential of Smallholder Farmers to Innovate

2 CIFSRF CARICOM Food Security Project

Black Bay Farmer Knowledge Network

The ApproachThe Project is applying cutting edge research tools to understand and measure how farmers currently innovate and adapt. This has allowed us to identify existing knowledge

In Black Bay, St. Lucia (n= 40) weak ties facilitate exchange of new information & innovation diffusion. In Marquis, St. Lucia (n=72)- strong ties foster group identity & cohesiveness) but less responsive to innovation & change.

networks that can be used to classify communities, identify innovation champions and enhance knowledge transfer among smallholders.

Marquis Farmer Knowledge Network