Farmer-led Research for Food Security and Nutrition in Malawi
Supporters
Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development
The Biovision Foundation was founded by the Swiss Entomologist Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren as a means to sustainably improve life for people in Africa while conserving the environment. Biovision is committed to promoting environmental conservation through agroecology as a means of combatting hunger and poverty.  See https://www.biovision.ch/en/home/ for more information on the Biovision Foundation’s program. Learn more about our work with the Biovision
The Government of Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), Canadian University Partnerships program
DFATD’s Partners for Development Program aims to leverage the development expertise and initiative of Canadians by funding the most meritorious proposals put forward by Canadian organizations to deliver development results on the ground. Following a 2011 call for proposals, the Government of Canada is partnering with Canadian universities to implement targeted development projects around the world for up to five years.
These selected Canadian universities will work with institutions and organizations in developing countries to ensure that the results will directly benefit people in need. Their projects will stimulate sustainable economic growth, secure the future of children and youth, increase food security, and improve the health of mothers, newborns and children.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ecohealth program
IDRC’s Ecohealth program has been a key supporter of the SFHC project. IDRC’s Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health Program Initiative supports research on the relationship between all components of an ecosystem to define and assess priority problems that affect the health of people and the sustainability of their ecosystem. See http://www.idrc.ca/ecohealth/ for more information on IDRC’s program.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PWS&D)
Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. PWS&D was the original partner of SFHC, with an initial grant in 2000, and has provided financial and moral support to our work ever since. See http://www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd for more information on PWS&D.
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)
CFGB is a partnership of Canadian church-based agencies working to end hunger in developing countries by increasing and deepening the involvement of Canadians in efforts to end hunger. CFGB began supporting SFHC in 2005, through PWS&D, and has also played an invaluable role in linking Canadian farmers to Malawian farmers through visits. In 2007 SFHC began exploring policy implications of our work with CFGB, and have participated in public events raising awareness in Canada about climate change, the effects on African smallholder farmers, and sustainable agricultural methods that mitigate against climate change. See http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/ for more information on CFGB.
Collaborative Crop Research Program, McKnight Foundation
The Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP) is a competitive grants program funded by the McKnight Foundationfor the purpose of increasing food security for resource-poor people in developing countries. See http://mcknight.ccrp.cornell.edu/index.html for more information. SFHC receives funding from the CCRP through the program entitled Enhancing the utilization of legumes in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. This Community of Practice (CoP) focuses on improving food security for people depending on leguminous crops in East Africa. Our funding is part of a larger research project entitled ‘Legume Best Bets’ which is managed by the University of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture.
The David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University
Founded in 2008, the Aktinson Center is “working toward a future where the world’s needs for reliable energy, a resilient environment, and robust economic development can grow, not as competing demands, but as complementary spokes on the wheel of prosperity.”
The Atkinson Center combines three ‘pillars of sustainability’ — energy, the environment, and economic development — in one center. Its grant programs and activities support new approaches, techniques, and technologies so that today’s seeds of knowledge can grow into tomorrow’s solutions. SFHC is funded through the ACSF Academic Venture Fund (2014).
See http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/index.php for more information.
Over one week, the SFHC team traveled to village areas Luzi, Kamwe, Kavula, and Mlimo to conduct recipe demonstrations. Farmers learned new and different recipes using locally grown crops. The training provided aimed to promote household nutrition and… Read More
In July, the seed fair at SFHC gathered farmers from many village areas to showcase their different seed varieties and discuss agricultural practices and methods. Farmers presented their assortment of indigenous, local, and hybrid seeds and shared their… Read More
In March 2018, SFHC was pleased to host a visit from the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI)’s Community of Practice. These experienced and dedicated activists, farmers, and community leaders joined us for several days to exchange knowledge, share… Read More
Supporters
Biovision Foundation for Ecological Development
The Biovision Foundation was founded by the Swiss Entomologist Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren as a means to sustainably improve life for people in Africa while conserving the environment. Biovision is committed to promoting environmental conservation through agroecology as a means of combatting hunger and poverty.  See https://www.biovision.ch/en/home/ for more information on the Biovision Foundation’s program. Learn more about our work with the Biovision
The Government of Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), Canadian University Partnerships program
DFATD’s Partners for Development Program aims to leverage the development expertise and initiative of Canadians by funding the most meritorious proposals put forward by Canadian organizations to deliver development results on the ground. Following a 2011 call for proposals, the Government of Canada is partnering with Canadian universities to implement targeted development projects around the world for up to five years.
These selected Canadian universities will work with institutions and organizations in developing countries to ensure that the results will directly benefit people in need. Their projects will stimulate sustainable economic growth, secure the future of children and youth, increase food security, and improve the health of mothers, newborns and children.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ecohealth program
IDRC’s Ecohealth program has been a key supporter of the SFHC project. IDRC’s Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health Program Initiative supports research on the relationship between all components of an ecosystem to define and assess priority problems that affect the health of people and the sustainability of their ecosystem. See http://www.idrc.ca/ecohealth/ for more information on IDRC’s program.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PWS&D)
Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. PWS&D was the original partner of SFHC, with an initial grant in 2000, and has provided financial and moral support to our work ever since. See http://www.presbyterian.ca/pwsd for more information on PWS&D.
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB)
CFGB is a partnership of Canadian church-based agencies working to end hunger in developing countries by increasing and deepening the involvement of Canadians in efforts to end hunger. CFGB began supporting SFHC in 2005, through PWS&D, and has also played an invaluable role in linking Canadian farmers to Malawian farmers through visits. In 2007 SFHC began exploring policy implications of our work with CFGB, and have participated in public events raising awareness in Canada about climate change, the effects on African smallholder farmers, and sustainable agricultural methods that mitigate against climate change. See http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca/ for more information on CFGB.
Collaborative Crop Research Program, McKnight Foundation
The Collaborative Crop Research Program (CCRP) is a competitive grants program funded by the McKnight Foundationfor the purpose of increasing food security for resource-poor people in developing countries. See http://mcknight.ccrp.cornell.edu/index.html for more information. SFHC receives funding from the CCRP through the program entitled Enhancing the utilization of legumes in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. This Community of Practice (CoP) focuses on improving food security for people depending on leguminous crops in East Africa. Our funding is part of a larger research project entitled ‘Legume Best Bets’ which is managed by the University of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture.
The David R. Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University
Founded in 2008, the Aktinson Center is “working toward a future where the world’s needs for reliable energy, a resilient environment, and robust economic development can grow, not as competing demands, but as complementary spokes on the wheel of prosperity.”
The Atkinson Center combines three ‘pillars of sustainability’ — energy, the environment, and economic development — in one center. Its grant programs and activities support new approaches, techniques, and technologies so that today’s seeds of knowledge can grow into tomorrow’s solutions. SFHC is funded through the ACSF Academic Venture Fund (2014).
See http://www.acsf.cornell.edu/index.php for more information.
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A week of delicious recipe-sharing
August 6, 2022
By rachel
Over one week, the SFHC team traveled to village areas Luzi, Kamwe, Kavula, and Mlimo to conduct recipe demonstrations. Farmers learned new and different recipes using locally grown crops. The training provided aimed to promote household nutrition and… Read More
Successful Seed Fair held at SFHC Centre
August 6, 2022
By rachel
In July, the seed fair at SFHC gathered farmers from many village areas to showcase their different seed varieties and discuss agricultural practices and methods. Farmers presented their assortment of indigenous, local, and hybrid seeds and shared their… Read More
Reflections: A Visit from the Seed and Knowledge Initiative
January 10, 2022
By rachel
In March 2018, SFHC was pleased to host a visit from the Seed and Knowledge Initiative (SKI)’s Community of Practice. These experienced and dedicated activists, farmers, and community leaders joined us for several days to exchange knowledge, share… Read More