Tearfund Disaster Management Key Learning
Food Security
Last Updated: 15 November 2009
Specific actionable recommendations and relevant background information
1
Be clear whether you are targeting the most vulnerable or the most
motivated farmers
Source of Learning:
Zimbabwe, Liberia, Other
Background Information:
Beneficiary selection is a critical issue – is the project intending to target the most vulnerable or to
target the most motivated farmer? This is especially important when considering alternative
agricultural techniques or approaches that require farmers to be innovative and willing to take
some risks. The most vulnerable are unlikely to fit this criteria.
2
Avoid being over ambitious with the number of new techniques being
promoted
Source of Learning:
Sierra Leone, Other
Background Information:
Bringing about changes in agricultural practices takes a very long time and food security projects
can tend to be very over-ambitious with often short time scales. As with community health
projects, we have learnt that it is better to agree a limited number of key messages than try to
give teaching, training and demonstration on too wide a range of topics. Be realistic both in terms
of timeframes and breadth of content.
3
Agricultural inputs (seeds and tools) must be selected and approved by
the end users
Source of Learning:
South Sudan, Other
Background Information:
There have been negative project experiences where project staff and experts made decisions on
seed type with inadequate consultation with the farmers. This is especially important when new
seed types are being considered for distribution.
4
Be clear on the overall purpose of agricultural input distribution - is it
to improve food security levels or to encourage diversification and
sustainability?
Source of Learning:
Malawi, Other
Background Information:
Projects in the past have sometimes been confused between the two. In some cases, the focus
on improved food security may rely on distributing seeds which are traditionally grown and relied
upon, even though the monoculture reliance is part of the reason why the area is food insecure to
begin with.
5
Be realistic when considering repayment schemes for agricultural
input distribution
Source of Learning:
Ethiopia, Other
Background Information:
Consider the management requirements which will be involved, what procedures are expected if
recipients fail to repay the required quantities and always seek to build on traditional loan systems
wherever possible, rather than impose a new system for the sake of the project.
6
Make sure you know the local seasonal calendar before you start
Source of Learning:
Various
Background Information:
There are different calendars for different districts and communities that function differently, so it
is a good idea to map these differences. Use the seasonal calendar to make your procurement
plan e.g. provide seeds one month before planting, ask the farmers when they need it.
7
Build on existing structures and local knowledge
Source of Learning:
Various
Background Information:
Look at what was there before and try to restore niche markets or build back better. Immediately
after a disaster existing structures should be used as these will often work better than introducing
new structures such as micro-finance. Encourage the community to come together in groups of
common interest such as a particular activity (e.g. fishing or planting) or a specific geographic
location. Have tools welded by locals even if more expensive.
8
Grow new crops in areas of increased visibility
Source of Learning:
Various
Background Information:
Grow new or demonstration crops in places with high visibility, such as near a water pump. In a
camp setting consider growing vegetables in sacks of manure as a good demonstration.