Selected Topic

Promoting sustainable production and food sovereignty, Supporting resilient and sustainable supply chains.

Project Description

As a concrete contribution to GFFA 2024, we plan to focus our current work on sustainable production and supply chains. This is where various projects with innovative approaches are currently taking place. One example is the Tanzania Regenerative Production Landscapes project. The innovative landscape approach enables a holistic view of local production systems, in which social, economic and ecological aspects are included and addressed. As a result of the package of measures, both producers are strengthened (secure income in the context of changing conditions as a consequence of climate change) and the environment benefits (conservation of natural resources or ecosystems and strengthening of biodiversity). In addition, joint dialogue strengthens community social capital and creates new business opportunities, including for investors and companies, which in turn benefits producers.

Another innovative initiative on sustainable production systems is planned in Vietnam (applied to the BMEL and shortlisted). The focus here is on the production of spices. Spice production is an important source of income for many farmers in Vietnam and secures income and purchasing power. However, production is often still insufficient due to one-sided production structures.

Here, both the long-term sustainability of the farming system and income opportunities are increased through diversification and expansion of the marketed products. Furthermore, through the use of innovative spatial design approaches, ecological zones and corridors are defined together with producers and authorities, which, as a result of further measures, are characterized by a particularly high level of biodiversity and climate resilience – and enable people to earn a secure income. In addition, an innovative digital product is being created through the development of a Farmers App.

Finally, the circular economy is becoming increasingly important in the context of sustainable production and supply chains. This is where an innovative BMZ-funded project on banana trunks comes in. During harvesting and processing, the trunk is usually seen as a waste product – but valuable resources are lost in the process. In the project, the “waste” is processed into fiber material, which is used for various purposes, e.g. for the production of handicraft products. This project thus also contributes to the 3rd sub-theme Loss and Waste.

About the Institution

Helvetas Intercooperation gGmbH (hereinafter referred to as Helvetas Germany) is a German non-governmental organization based in Bonn that is committed to improving the living conditions of disadvantaged people and vulnerable groups in partner countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It contributes to poverty reduction through targeted development projects in rural areas.

It is part of the Helvetas network, which also includes Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (parent company) and Helvetas USA. Helvetas Germany is politically and denominationally neutral. In total, the NGO has implemented projects in 15 countries since 2013.

Since 2016, 24 projects have been successfully completed. Currently, Helvetas Germany has 13 ongoing projects. In 2022, the income was over 2.1 Mil. and for this year an increase to over 3,5 Mil. is expected.
In our project work, we pay particular attention to helping people to help themselves, the targeted promotion of women and girls, and the sustainable use of natural resources. Our activities focus on access to clean water, food security, education and income generation.

We strengthen food systems by enabling people to secure their land rights, apply forward-looking methods in agriculture and increase the availability of healthy and affordable food.

Contact Person: Martin Koppa