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food and farming

15 year old Ayelich Getachew (left) and other young people in her community have been trained in tree-planting by MRDF partner SUNARMA.

The problem

Most of the world's poorest people depend on growing crops and raising livestock to provide the food they need to eat or sell.

Small-scale farmers are in a very vulnerable position.  One drought or bad harvest can leave them with nothing to fall back on and no seeds for the next year.  As populations grow and more crops are needed, land is over-used and after many years can suffer long-term damage.

Conflict also affects farming communities.  Families can be driven off their land by violence and if they return home, find all tools, seeds or livestock are gone.


What are MRDF partners doing?

MRDF partners, such as Instituto Permacultura de El Salvador (IPES), provide training in sustainable farming techniques which include water conservation, composting and using permaculture.  These techniques bring higher yields, without over-using farmland. All MRDF's agricultural partners are committed to conserving natural resources, allowing future generations to benefit.

Tree-planting prevents soil erosion and help preserve the land in the long term. Some trees also fix nitrogen in the soil, which helps increase its fertility, and others have leaves which can be used for fertiliser, medicine or animal food.

MRDF partner SUNARMA educates young people about the need for tree-planting and provides them with the land and seeds needed to get started.

"I joined this group because if I learn these farming techniques I am able to help my family better. The benefits of being in a group are that you can share crops. From SUNARMA I have received seedlings, training in HIV/AIDS awareness and in Tree Nursery Management."

Ayelich Getachew, aged 15, member of a youth group supported by SUMARMA.

More about Food and Farming (135kb PDF)

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