Technical Advisory Notes
Technical Advisory Notes (TANs) are tools for promoting pro-poor technologies and knowledge-sharing that bridge the gap between research and practice and provide information for inclusion in loan programmes and project design.
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Intercropping for Income Generation and Food Security
Poor coconut farmers in many parts of the world are facing difficulties in sustaining their families’ livelihoods from coconut-derived income. It is important to improve their incomes and food security conditions and to maintain the genetic diversity of coconut. The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) and its partners implemented the project “Overcoming poverty in coconut growing communities” aiming to help marginalized coconut farmers in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty through improved coconut-based farming systems and the diversification and effective use of coconut products and by-products. Part of the strategy was to introduce cash and food security intercrops that are compatible with coconut and feasible for the specific conditions of the communities. The impact of the strategy was evaluated using data from 14 communities in seven countries. At the national level, three countries saw a significantly positive change in income derived from intercrops. At the community level, this was seen in seven out of 14 communities. At the global level, the project helped increase the income derived from intercrops by 192 international dollars per annum.
High-value coconut products to enhance income of the poor in coconut growing communities
Poor coconut farmers in many parts of the world are facing difficulties in sustaining their families’ livelihoods from coconut-derived income. It is important to improve their incomes and food security conditions and to maintain the genetic diversity of coconut. The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) and its partners implemented the project “Overcoming poverty in coconut growing communities” aiming to help marginalized coconut farmers in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty through improved coconut-based farming systems and the diversification and effective use of coconut products and by-products. Part of the strategy is the development of high- value products from all parts of the coconut tree and fruit. Community members were supported with the introduction of processing technologies, provision of equipment and micro-credit to carry out this income-generating activity and training (64% of those trained were women).
Diversification of economic activities to increase income of coconut farmers
Poor coconut farmers in many parts of the world are facing difficulties in sustaining their families’ livelihoods from coconut-derived income. It is important to improve their incomes and food security conditions and to maintain the genetic diversity of coconut. The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) and its partners implemented the project “Overcoming poverty in coconut growing communities” aiming to help marginalized coconut farmers in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty through improved coconut-based farming systems and the diversification and effective use of coconut products and by-products. The main intervention aimed at income generation and strengthening food security was to improve the production and marketing of high-value products from all parts of the coconut, to introduce cash and food security intercrops, and to introduce livestock and/or fodder production. At the global level, the project positively influenced expected annual household income by 1778 international dollars. At the national level, the project positively influenced expected annual household income in four out of seven countries, with increases ranging from 836 (Philippines) to 1996 (Thailand) international dollars. At the community level, the positive effect was seen in eight out of 14 communities. Household size and farm size are both significant variables in many of the models that mostly positively influenced expected total income. Income diversification positively influenced household income in most countries. In four out of seven countries and at the global level, food security has also improved. Implementation of the interventions was constrained by the occurrence of animal and plant diseases, limited access to veterinary and other services, and a lack of or inadequate capital. Natural calamities also damaged crops. Lastly, a lack of market information limited farmer bargaining power and market access.
On-farm conservation of high value and high yielding coconut varieties in coconut-growing communities
Poor coconut farmers in many parts of the world are facing difficulties in sustaining their families’ livelihoods from coconut-derived income. It is important to improve their incomes and food security conditions and to maintain the genetic diversity of coconut. The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) and its partners implemented the project “Overcoming poverty in coconut growing communities” aiming to help marginalized coconut farmers in developing countries lift themselves out of poverty through improved coconut-based farming systems and the diversification and effective use of coconut products and by-products. The main intervention aimed at income generation and strengthening food security was to improve the production and marketing of high-value products from all parts of the coconut, to introduce cash and food security intercrops, and to introduce livestock and/or fodder production. By identifying, characterizing, and documenting local, high yielding and high-value coconut varieties, and by improving access to high-quality planting material through the establishment of community-managed nurseries, on-farm conservation of coconut genetic resources is improved. This is supported by raising awareness among farmers of valuable coconut varieties. The documentation and characterization of plant genetic resources is important to make these resources useful for farmers, breeders and researchers. A total of 48 coconut varieties were identified in ten countries through participatory processes, then characterized and documented. A total of 36 nurseries were established which together distributed 12,265 seedlings. The impact on yield is still to be measured, as new seedlings are not bearing yet. Constraints to the establishment of nurseries included the occurrence of pests and diseases and natural calamities, and a lack of reliable sources of seed-nuts for the nurseries.
Technical Information Package - Importance of Analysing Charcoal Value Chains
For sustainable usage of forest resources and to use charcoal production for sustainable development and poverty alleviation the value chain approach may be useful as it allows for a comprehensive analysis of existing constraints, from ecological parameters to property/user rights to market access. Additionally the value chain approach enables policy makers to create favourable framework conditions which promote competitive enterprises, sustainable jobs and income for local people. Furthermore, it allows impact-oriented monitoring of initiated policy actions The document provides technical information on potential for replicating and adapting existing improved technologies for sustainable charcoal production, livelihood development & energy security
