Fostering Food Security and Livelihood Resilience
Department of Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture drives ERUDEF’s commitment to sustainable human development by improving the food security and income of resource-poor farmers.
Created in 2018, the department manages the evolution of the organization’s agroforestry efforts, shifting from traditional techniques to the comprehensive Forest Garden Approach in 2015, which focuses holistically on soil health, food security, income, and nutrition. This department runs programs centered on Food Security and Economic Resilience, Rural Landscape Productivity, and Mountain Ecosystem Management, aiming to restore degraded agricultural lands and provide adequate incentives to communities to support biodiversity management around core conservation areas.
Introduction
The Department of Agriculture was established in 2018, evolving from previous agroforestry and economic development programs. Initial efforts focused on traditional agroforestry (planting nitrogen-fixing trees) which significantly increased yields and income but proved insufficient for long-term poverty alleviation. Consequently, the Forest Garden Approach was introduced in 2015, diversifying farms with fruit, medicinal, and timber species. This shift has led to increased farmer participation and income growth. The Department now manages core programs focused on Food Security and Economic Resilience, Rural Landscape Productivity, Mountain Ecosystem Management, and Protected Area Management through Agro-Biodiversity Development.
Departmental Goals
Strategic Targets and Highlights
These descriptions detail the specific, quantifiable, and time-bound commitments the department is focused on achieving. They translate the broader goals and objectives into definitive, actionable outcomes that are used to track progress and measure the overall impact of the strategic plan.
Food Security
Increase food security for 400 smallholder farmers by securing more food and increasing crop production by 21,000 farmers from 0.75 tons to 2 tons by 2023.
Water Security
Secure the protection of 10 water catchments in three key mountain watersheds (Mt Bamboutos, Mt Nlonako, and Western High Plateau).
Economic Sustainability
Establish 11 cooperatives and 11 cooperative enterprises to improve the economic sustainability of 400 smallholder farmers.
Livelihoods & Enterprise
Support collaborative management by setting up at least 10 cottage industries to employ over 500 people, yielding funds for the Biodiversity Community Trust. This includes the donation of livelihoods assets such as piglets, bee hives, and snail farms.
Sustainable Financing
Promote sustainable financing of community-based biodiversity management through the creation and strengthening of the Forest Protection Fund (FoProF).
Our programs provided food, education, and healthcare to over one million people in need.
With donor and volunteer support, we’ve provided millions of meals to fight hunger.
Safe schools and shelters now give children a brighter future.
