Achieving Food Security Research Articles

Sustainability concern in Indian agriculture: needs science-led innovation and structural reforms

Agriculture in India is facing several challenges which together are manifested into the sustainability issues. The broad contours of the agricultural production system in the country have been defined by the need to achieve food security which calls for close attention to rice–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping system of the Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) whose sustainability is under threat. Degradation of natural resources, severe biotic and abi otic stresses specially drought, floods, pest infestations with accompanying impacts on biodiversity and agricultural productivity are the major constraints to agricultural development. Further, climate change has gained significant global attention over the past decade due to concerns of deleterious long-term impacts on agriculture, water sup ply, human welfare, regional and political stability. All the related issues need to be addressed on priority, with par ticular emphasis on soil-carbon through a holistic approach. As the strategy brings focus on income of farmers, the agricultural technology needs to move from “Production oriented-Green Revolution” to “Farmer’s Income oriented Revolution” and environmentally sustainable farming. Therefore, for long-term sustainability in agriculture, 4 pil lars/ components (good agricultural practices, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, diversification of high value crops and biodiversity management) needs to be addressed properly, more importantly good agricultural practices (GAP). The GAPs are based on the principles of risk prevention, risk analysis, sustainable agriculture, and integrated crop management (ICM), which are of utmost importance in present time. The GAPs for agricultural sustainability are reduced tillage, conservation agriculture, resource-conservation technologies (RCTs), erosion control measures, diversified cropping system, micro-irrigation, balanced fertilization, manuring, watershed man agement, organic farming, and integrated farming systems etc. Now that the vision is to impart income security to the farmers of the country, diversification of the system across all the sub-sectors of agriculture assumes impor tance which is, indeed a de-risking mechanism capable of negotiating both endogenous and exogenous risks as sociated with the system. The effective and efficient management of agro-biodiversity is also essential through management of genebanks, science-led innovations; livelihood, food and nutrition security though crop diversifica tion, use of lesser-known crops and wild relatives in crop improvement; dealing appropriately with quarantine, bio safety and bio-security.

Effects of fiscal support for agriculture on grain production technical efficiency: empirical evidence from Chinese farms

ABSTRACT This study utilizes micro-level farm panel data from 2007 to 2012 to measure the technical efficiency of grain production among farms using a stochastic frontier analysis model. Additionally, it employs a two-way fixed effects model to empirically investigate the impact of fiscal support for agriculture on grain production technical efficiency and its underlying mechanisms. The results reveal significant room for improvement in the technical efficiency of grain production among Chinese farms, with increased fiscal support for agriculture demonstrating a substantial enhancement of their efficiency. This promoting effect only exists in the major grain-producing areas and increases with the increase of farm size. The augmentation of fiscal support for agriculture achieves this goal by augmenting modern agricultural input factors, alleviating financing constraints faced by farms, and optimizing agricultural production infrastructure. Our findings provide guidance for optimizing fiscal policy to support agriculture, promoting agricultural modernization, and achieving food security.

Climate-smart agriculture: adoption, impacts, and implications for sustainable development

AbstractThe 19 papers included in this special issue examined the factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices among smallholder farmers and estimated the impacts of CSA adoption on farm production, income, and well-being. Key findings from this special issue include: (1) the variables, including age, gender, education, risk perception and preferences, access to credit, farm size, production conditions, off-farm income, and labour allocation, have a mixed (either positive or negative) influence on the adoption of CSA practices; (2) the variables, including labour endowment, land tenure security, access to extension services, agricultural training, membership in farmers’ organizations, support from non-governmental organizations, climate conditions, and access to information consistently have a positive impact on CSA adoption; (3) diverse forms of capital (physical, social, human, financial, natural, and institutional), social responsibility awareness, and digital advisory services can effectively promote CSA adoption; (4) the establishment of climate-smart villages and civil-society organizations enhances CSA adoption by improving their access to credit; (5) CSA adoption contributes to improved farm resilience to climate change and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions; (6) CSA adoption leads to higher crop yields, increased farm income, and greater economic diversification; (7) integrating CSA technologies into traditional agricultural practices not only boosts economic viability but also contributes to environmental sustainability and health benefits; and (8) there is a critical need for international collaboration in transferring technology for CSA. Overall, the findings of this special issue highlight that through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts, CSA can play a pivotal role in achieving food security, poverty alleviation, and climate resilience in farming communities worldwide and contribute to the achievements of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Impacts of continuous cropping on the rhizospheric and endospheric microbial communities and root exudates of Astragalus mongholicus

Astragalus mongholicus is a medicinal plant that is known to decrease in quality in response to continuous cropping. However, the differences in the root-associated microbiome and root exudates in the rhizosphere soil that may lead to these decreases are barely under studies. We investigated the plant biomass production, root-associated microbiota, and root exudates of A. mongholicus grown in two different fields: virgin soil (Field I) and in a long-term continuous cropping field (Field II). Virgin soil is soil that has never been cultivated for A. mongholicus. Plant physiological measurements showed reduced fresh and dry weight of A. mongholicus under continuous cropping conditions (i.e. Field II). High-throughput sequencing of the fungal and bacterial communities revealed differences in fungal diversity between samples from the two fields, including enrichment of potentially pathogenic fungi in the roots of A. mongholicus grown in Field II. Metabolomic analysis yielded 20 compounds in A. mongholicus root exudates that differed in relative abundance between rhizosphere samples from the two fields. Four of these metabolites (2-aminophenol, quinic acid, tartaric acid, and maleamate) inhibited the growth of A. mongholicus, the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum, or both. This comprehensive analysis enhances our understanding of the A. mongholicus microbiome, root exudates, and interactions between the two in response to continuous cropping. These results offer new information for future design of effective, economical approaches to achieving food security.

Understanding the spillover effects of ethanol production and energy prices on African food markets: A time-varying approach

Amidst recent global uncertainty caused by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and wars, African countries are finding it even more challenging than before to achieve food security. This study utilizes the time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR)–based extended joint connectedness model to analyze the impact of external factors, such as U.S. ethanol production, grain speculation, international energy prices, international food prices, and international corn prices, on domestic food prices in four African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, and Tanzania). The key results of the study can be summarized as follows: (1) The production of ethanol in the United States has an influence on the food prices in all four sample countries, with the extent of this impact differing from one nation to another. Notably, the effects of ethanol production were particularly pronounced until the years 2011–2012. (2) In Ethiopia and Tanzania, the domestic food market shows only a slight impact from speculative activities, whereas in Ghana and South Africa, these activities have a notable effect. (3) International energy prices play a significant role in shaping the domestic food prices across all four countries.

Exploring the Role of Women in Attaining Food Security: A Case Study of Mitooma Local District, Uganda

This study investigates the critical role of women in achieving food security within Mitooma Local District, Uganda. Employing a correlational research design, data was gathered from a sample of 60 participants, including local council officials, politicians, civil servants, NGO staff, and members of the community. Findings revealed significant challenges, with the majority of families experiencing food scarcity and some children suffering from malnutrition. Despite engaging in agricultural activities and contributing to food production, women face limitations in accessing resources and services, hindering their effectiveness in ensuring food security. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders, including civil society organizations, administrators, and policymakers, to address food insecurity. Recommendations include mass sensitization campaigns, enhanced scientific research, women's empowerment initiatives, and improved access to credit facilities. Keywords: Administrators, Food production, Food security, Women, Women empowerment.

Climate, food (in)security and conflict in the Bangladesh delta: Myths and puzzles

Bangladesh is customarily presented as a poster child for climate change and conflict given its dense population and susceptibility to climate variability. This vulnerability exacerbates existing challenges such as food insecurity and conflict potential. Crises like pandemics and conflicts are external drivers stressing already compromised domestic governance, such as violent politics, poor rule of law, and corruption, further compounding the challenges of land and water resource management and affecting food (in)security in Bangladesh. While we will argue that Bangladesh’s all-out (‘securitised’) efforts to achieve food security are largely successful and there is no evidence of climate conflict related to food, this does not obviate very real food security challenges in remote areas. However, these have not built up to the sense of frustration associated with food riots or community violence. Navigating the possible linkages between climate, food (in)security, and conflict requires debunking common myths and identifying unresolved research puzzles in Bangladesh’s context. These myths promote the oversimplification of complex issues and may lead to misinformed policies and actions. Future research needs to be focused on understanding how climate factors interact with local economic, political, and social dynamics, including governance mechanisms, religious and ethnic tensions, economic inequality, grievances, and political exclusion.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DRIVERS OF FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALLHOLDER RURAL HOUSEHOLD MAIZE FARMERS IN IDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the socio-economic drivers of food security among smallholder rural household maize farmers in Ido Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data was used to collect information from One hundred and twenty (120) respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Households’ food consumption expenditure approach (HFE) and logistic regression model. The results revealed that majority (71.67%) of the respondents were male which implies that farming in the study area was pre- dominantly concentrated by male. Majority (65.83%) of the respondents were married while 70.83% of the respondent were between the age brackets of 41 years and above with an average age of 54 years. The results of the logistic regression indicates that, household size was negatively significant at (p<0.001) showing the larger the household size, the more likelihood of the farm households to be food insecure. The distribution of mean weekly household expenditure classified by budget item shows that food accounted for the bulk of the expenditure (74.69%). Education, clothing, healthcare and drugs, transportation and other items like recharge card, kerosene, etc. accounted for the remaining 25.31%. Farm size owned by the respondents was significant at (p<0.05) and had positive relationship with food security status of households. Both access to credit and access to extension service were positive significant (p<0.05) in influencing food security status of the farming household in the study area. Coping strategies included relying on support from family, selling assets, reducing food consumption, and facing challenges such as insufficient farm size and limited access to credit and extension services. The study concluded that, age, gender, farm size, marital status, access to credit, and household size were identified as the significant determinants of food security of maize farming households in the study area. The study recommended that, improving farmers' access to micro-credit, supported by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, is essential for overcoming resource acquisition challenges and the government should provide assistance to extension agencies disseminating agricultural technologies as well as promoting family planning initiatives to address large family sizes as a barrier to achieving food security.

Identifying Determinants of Food Security Using Panel Data Analysis: Evidence from Maghreb Countries

Countries and international bodies are focusing on agriculture as a route to achieving sustainable food security. Hence, the aim of this study is to examine the determinants of food security. It investigates the effects of gross domestic product deflator (GDPD), rural population, arable area, agricultural workers, farmers, agricultural exports, and agricultural imports on agricultural performance, which is a metric of food security. This study uses time lapse data models of a sample from the group of Maghreb states, namely Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania, for the 2003–2018 period. All these data were collected from the statistical reports of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development. The results provide evidence of the significant positive impacts of gross domestic product, arable areas, and agricultural exports on the agricultural sector’s performance, which results in achieving food security. However, the results indicate that the rural population and the number of workers in the agricultural sector have a significantly negative relationship with agricultural sector performance. In terms of agricultural imports, the results do not show a relationship between agricultural imports and agricultural sector performance. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study conducted in the Maghreb states, including five countries. This study alerts policymakers to issues regarding the importance of having effective policies that could enhance the performance of agricultural production to achieve food security in the Maghreb states. Policymakers must improve the investment climate in North African countries to encourage investors to enter the agricultural sector.

Assessing the Current State and Future Trends of Land Use Conversion: Implications for Food Security in Indonesia

Indonesia grapples with land conversion, especially agricultural land. Paddy fields have shrunk from 8.4 million hectares in 1990 to 7.18 million in 2022, translating to a rate of more than 38 thousand hectares per year and yearly loss of around 140,000 hectares of potential rice production. This study aims to inform policymakers and stakeholders on achieving food security. Through a systematic literature review, the research explores factors like settlements, urbanization, and infrastructure development driving land conversion. These factors impact regions like Bali and Central Sumba, jeopardizing rice production. Understanding these challenges and opportunities is crucial for future solutions. Potential solutions include strengthening food security across the supply chain, regulating land conversion and ownership, and promoting government support, productivity enhancement, sustainable agriculture practices, and technological integration.

Food Security Model Based on Consumer Characteristics in East Nusa Tenggara Province

Purpose: This study aims to formulating a regional food security model based on the relationship between the characteristics of production, consumption and entrepreneurship areas with the performance of the community's food business in NTT Province based on consumer perceptions. Method: The research locations are in six areas in NTT namely Ende, Manggarai, West Manggarai, Southwest Sumba, North Central Timor and Kupang, which have Farmer Shops designated by the government as LUPM partners. Farm in six randomly selected government-defined blood. The distribution of sampling is done proportionally. The data analysis technique used is descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistics, namely Partial Least Square (PLS). Results and conclusion: The results of the structural model analysis based on consumer perceptions of rice show empirically strong evidence to accept the proposed hypothesis, namely the characteristics of production, consumption and entrepreneurship areas simultaneously affect the performance of PUPM in NTT Province in realizing food security. Implications of the research: To achieve good PUPM performance, it is necessary to pay attention to consumer characteristics so that food security for the NTT community can be realized. Originality/value: This research examines the consumption characteristics model through a community food business development program to achieve food security. Place, price, product, personality and motivation are important indicators that influence consumption characteristics. Capital, prices, task and result orientation, as well as increasing business profits of business actors are important indicators for improving the performance of community food business development through regional characteristics of production, consumption and entrepreneurship.

Organic Farming: A Way To Sustainability

India is a prominent global force in the field of agriculture. Agriculture constitutes the predominant sector of the Indian economy, employing more than sixty percent of the nation’s total workforce. Previously, India was depended on imports to sustain its vast population, but now it is exporting food grains after the successful implementation of the green revolution. The Green Revolution resulted in a significant increase in food production in India. However, the ecosystem has persistently degraded, particularly in terms of soil quality, vegetation health, and water resources. India has endured significant costs in achieving food security, including the depletion of subterranean water reserves, contamination of soil, and the destruction of other natural resources. Concerns regarding the sustainability of the input intensive agriculture system have arisen due to its negative repercussions. Therefore, it is necessary to alter the cropping pattern. Organic farming is a significant practice that aims to reduce the environmental and ecological consequences of sustainable development. The utilization of a greater number of organic materials in agricultural methods might mitigate the detrimental impacts on the environment by preserving its natural cycles during the recovery process. Additionally, organic farming has the potential to boost food quality. Organic farming predominantly avoids the utilization of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, and feed additives in animal operations. The integration of organic farming with innovative technologies is crucial for mitigating the constraints and difficulties associated with organic farming. The primary objective of this study is to shed light on the part that organic farming plays in the process of maintaining sustainability. After reviewing a number of research papers that were published in a variety of publications on the topics of sustainability, organic farming, and sustainable agriculture, it was found that farmers ought to be encouraged to adopt organic farming because organic farming is both sustainable and productive. Many farmers are able to improve their agricultural output and quality of life in a manner that is more environmentally friendly as a result of the innovative technologies and new approaches that are making new trends towards a sustainable farming system. In other words, organic farming is a reflection of the principles of sustainability that are underlying global agriculture.

A Method to Estimate Climate Drivers of Maize Yield Predictability Leveraging Genetic-by-Environment Interactions in the US and Canada

Throughout history, the pursuit of diagnosing and predicting crop yields has evidenced genetics, environment, and management practices intertwined in achieving food security. However, the sensitivity of crop phenotypes and genetic responses to climate still hampers the identification of the underlying abilities of plants to adapt to climate change. We hypothesize that the PiAnosi and WagNer (PAWN) global sensitivity analysis (GSA) coupled with a genetic by environment (GxE) model built of environmental covariance and genetic markers structures, can evidence the contributions of climate on the predictability of maize yields in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The GSA-GxE framework estimates the relative contribution of climate variables to improving maize yield predictions. Using an enhanced version of the Genomes to Fields initiative database, the GSA-GxE framework shows that the spatially aggregated sensitivity of maize yield predictability is attributed to solar radiation, followed by temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity. In one-third of the individually assessed locations, rainfall was the primary responsible for maize yield predictability. Also, a consistent pattern of top sensitivities (Relative Humidity, Solar Radiation, and Temperature) as the main or the second most relevant drivers of maize yield predictability shed some light on the drivers of genetic improvement in response to climate change.

Assessment of handling practices for maize by farmers and marketers in food-insecure regions of Western Honduras

The objective of this study was to understand the maize production chain in the Republic of Honduras, and to identify potential obstacles hindering grain end-quality. Seventy-one municipalities across six departments of Western Honduras were surveyed: Copán, Intibucá, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, and Santa Bárbara. A total of 871 surveys were collected, out of which 725 were from rural areas and 146 from urban areas. The sampling design reflected population density and population-based indicators from USAID's Feed the Future initiative, such as poverty level and prevalence of underweight non-pregnant females between the ages of 15 and 49. Further, indicators associated with underdevelopment in children were also considered. Survey instruments designed for either maize farmers or maize marketers were used to collect data including seed source, type planted, intercropping, time of harvest, drying and storage practices, quality control, and consumption patterns. Farmers preferred to plant criolla (native) maize (81–96%), although non-native varieties were also grown and consumed (3–13%). Following harvest, sun drying is the most used method (14–40%) for moisture control. Farmers reported maize spoilage resulting primarily from inadequate drying and pest damage (56–82%). Although aware of this, up to 28% of the producers reported not performing preventive grain inspections in the course of storage. Maize marketers typically sourced their grain within the department (33–71%), with a smaller fraction (0–8%) also obtaining maize from other departments or neighboring countries. Mirroring farmers, visual quality checks by marketers occurred primarily at initial storage (36–69%) and decreased in frequency as storage time lengthened. Given that both studied groups of farmers and marketers continue to rely on traditional practices, and corrective rather than preventive measures, the likelihood of low-quality product and risk for mycotoxin contamination is exacerbated. Based on these findings, achieving food security for the region of study will require a transformation in pre- and post-harvest handling practices.

Māori kai sovereignty to achieve food security

The FAO states that the term food sovereignty focuses on food for the people by placing people’s need for food at the centre of policies and insists that food is more than just a commodity. Food Sovereignty also promotes knowledge and skills by building on traditional knowledge; using research to support and pass on this knowledge to future generations; and rejecting technologies that undermine local food systems. It is essentially a movement that “recognizes that control over the food system needs to remain in the hands of producers, and is clearly focused primarily on small-scale agriculture of a non-industrial nature, preferably organic”(1). In Māori terms, Kai Sovereignty is drawn first from the relationship of foods to our needs; it is expressed through whakapapa, and has an overarching contribution to food security. Traditional foods abound in Aotearoa. The relationships are longstanding, expressive and contribute to our wellbeing in various ways(2). But the true cultural value of traditional foods is diminishing as new foods, lifestyles and experiences succeed them. Kai sovereignty therefore is at risk of being relegated to historical discourse. The FAO acknowledgement of the intergenerational role of traditional knowledge to support food sovereignty aligns well to the Māori experience. This knowledge covers a myriad of food relationships including foraging, producing, harvesting, processing, cooking and manaakitanga. We are in a renaissance period that seeks to rediscover our relationship with the pātaka, the food store. So much knowledge has been lost, but much also remains. How we draw that together in a way that acknowledges the whakapapa or historical relationship alongside the present and future. The right to achieving kai sovereignty is yet to be properly understood within our communities. The first steps lie in the knowledge space; sharing and acknowledgement of our food traditions before they are lost or misinterpreted.

Case study of agriculture and development projects on Sri lanka army’s contribution to achieve food security

This research explores the role of the Sri Lanka Army’s in enhancing food security within the country. Food security is a critical concern in Sri Lanka, influenced by factors such as climate change, agricultural practices, and societal dynamics. Leveraging their capabilities and resources, the Sri Lanka Army can significantly contribute to addressing these challenges. This study examines the potential contributions of the army in terms of food production, infrastructure development, technology adoption, and capacity building and development. Research design is a mixed-methods approach were used by a structured questionnaire targeting various stakeholders, including pertinent Sri Lanka Army personnel and conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. The analysis underscores the importance of collaboration, knowledge transfer, and sustainable practices in achieving lasting food security. Through a comprehensive approach and collaborative efforts involving various stakeholders, including government bodies, local communities, and agricultural organizations, a more resilient and secure food system can be envisioned for Sri Lanka. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 59(1), 35-46, 2024

Modernizing smallholder agriculture and achieving food security: An exploration in machinery services and labor reallocation in China

AbstractThis study discusses the modernization of smallholder agriculture in China, where most farms are small, and farms' parcels are fragmented. The study puts forward a framework of agricultural modernization by vertical division of labor and specialized production in agriculture. We posit that hiring machinery services could be a pathway to connect smallholders with modern agriculture and achieve food security in China. Using household‐level data from China, this study examines how hiring machinery services affects farm productivity and rural households' welfare. Findings show that mechanization services increased rural Chinese families' food security and agricultural productivity. Hiring machinery services improves smallholders' income by influencing the input efficiency of maize production and increasing participation in off‐farm work. Our findings highlight the importance of technology to improve smallholder agriculture and food security, not only in China but also in other South and Southeast Asian countries.

Quantifying the Effect of Change in Rainfall Dynamics on Agricultural Output in Nigeria

Agricultural production has clearly gained acceptance, as a crucial approach to meeting the food consumption needs of Nigeria’s growing population as well as an important requirement for achieving food security. Hence, the objective of this paper is to quantify the effect of change in rainfall dynamics on agricultural output in Nigeria employing a Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium model and using data from the 2019 Social Accounting Matrix. The results revealed that rainfall shocks had an adverse effect on the four components of agricultural output considered such as crops, livestock, fishery and forestry in the short and long term. It also had a negative effect on aggregate agricultural output compared to the baseline scenario. Therefore, public policy towards investing heavily in rain harvesters cannot be overemphasized. There is the need for policy efforts towards targeted interventions that provide an enabling environment and the necessary infrastructures for private investments in agriculture, address climatic risks and build resilience among farmers.

Household food security in the agropastoral communities of rural southern Kyrgyzstan

BackgroundIn mountainous nations like Kyrgyzstan households face substantial environmental and infrastructural challenges as they strive to achieve food security. Measuring food security in montane and agropastoral communities is difficult due to seasonal variations, varied livelihood strategies, and the difficulty of reaching respondents. This study examines intricacies associated with measuring household food security in the southern Kyrgyz highlands and discusses the wider implications for measuring food security in an agropastoral setting. To do this, we deployed multiple types of household food security measures (economic, experiential, and consumptive) via survey (n = 1234) within one southern rayon (district).ResultsHouseholds are largely successful in mitigating acute food insecurity, yet issues of chronic food insecurity persist. Conceptual and statistical similarities between measures support the identification of food security indicator typologies. However, comparing measures of different types presented contradictory narratives in which one type indicates advantageous and the other disadvantageous results. In analyzing the disconnect, natural and socioeconomic shocks are found to be highly influential.ConclusionIt is posited households are successful in responding to shocks through the deployment of coping strategies, such as using loan funds to purchase food. Socioeconomic indicators, such as asset ownership, are implicated as drivers of food security. Findings, discussion, and conclusions contribute to the shared understanding of the measurement of food security in agropastoral communities.

Inga tree agroforestry in Honduras

Slash-and-burn agriculture is a critical issue in Honduras and other tropical regions, as it causes deforestation, soil degradation, erosion, crop failure, food insecurity, and vulnerability to natural disasters - devasting the environment and adversely effecting communities. These calamities are further exacerbated by the climate crisis, forcing people to become climate refugees. In response, the article introduces the Inga agroforestry model as a sustainable alternative to slash-and-burn agriculture. Developed by the Inga Foundation, this model utilises the tree genus Inga, a nitrogen-fixing tree, to create resilient and productive agroforestry systems. By intercropping basic grains with other cash crops, amongst the Inga trees and other fruit and hardwood trees, farmers can achieve food security and economic diversity. The Inga agroforestry model is also characterised by its minimal input requirements, as it uses no agrochemicals, chemical fertilisers, fossil fuels, heavy equipment, herbicides or pesticides, further enhancing land restoration and climate change mitigation. Proven to be a regenerative system, Inga agroforestry has been implemented successfully in Honduras, empowering marginalised rural smallholder farmers in a socially and ecologically sustainable manner. Compared to monocrop plots, the model’s economic benefits include increased yields and income generation, which has improved rural livelihoods, including for women and youth, reducing out-migration. The environmental benefits include land restoration, carbon sequestration, and increased biodiversity, improving climate resilience. Despite its proven effectiveness, the widespread adoption of the Inga agroforestry model remains constrained by funding and policy barriers which favour industrial agriculture. The team remains committed, however, to seeing it replicated widely and remains optimistic about the model's potential to transform rural economies. They, therefore, urge for greater support from governments and international institutions.