The number of people with hunger has been on the increase since 2015. 2018 counted more than 820 million under-nourished people. A large part of them lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for a living. Additionally, these smallholder farmers suffer from the disastrous consequences of climate change.
The result: hunger and poverty due to poor harvests and falling revenues. At the same time, the growing world population rapidly increases the demand for nutritious food. With simple inputs and technologies smallholder farmers can produce more food, for themselves and the market.
Heifer’s model is in essence all about entrepreneurship, self-reliance and independence. Our approach has proven to be successful: since our establishment in the Netherlands (1999), almost 59,000 families have improved their nutrition and income. When we add the impact of 'big sister' Heifer International to this, more than 35 million families improved their livelihoods since 1944.
|
|
Living income We help farmers and their families to feed themselves while building a stable income leading to a decent standard of living for their local environment and culture. Increasing productivity and income diversification, combined with access to knowledge, skills, resources financial services and markets is crucial in this respect. |
 |
Agriculture offers young people in rural areas the best job opportunities. With practical skills training and the creation of jobs in the agricultural sector, young people have perspective on a better future and do not need to migrate to cities.
|
 |
Resilience to climate change |
