Strengthening Smallholder Farmer Groups

The capacity of organisations promoting agroecology and organic farming is strengthened to increase both producer supply and consumer demand

The Agriculture in India and Tanzania

In both India and Tanzania, agriculture is an important economic sector, with smallholder farmers forming the backbone of rural livelihoods. However, they face challenges in sustainable production and access to healthy, nutritious food for all citizens. Organic farming provides solutions to those challenges, but requires certification for market access. Both countries promote Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and Internal Control Systems (ICS) as effective and affordable solutions to certify small farmers for the domestic and international organic markets, respectively.

Portrait India & Tanzania

Tanzania reported roughly 313,231 hectares of land under organic management in 2023, with a strong focus on coffee and cotton.

India, with 4.7 million hectares, leads in global organic producers at over 2.4 million, growing staples like cereals and spices. Organic exports from India are substantial, with significant exporting rate, generating a high turnover.

The Project

The project strengthens smallholder farmer groups in India and Tanzania by promoting sustainable practices and healthier diets through three components: country assessments for certification of organic producer groups, curriculum development for PGS and ICS training, and campaigns to raise consumer awareness on organic products. One key objective is to facilitate certification both for domestic and international trade. Beneficiaries include smallholder farmers, local communities, and consumers, who gain access to improved organic production and many healthier food options.

Project Goals

Improved understanding of the current situation and needs of PGS and ICS smallholder farmer groups in India and Tanzania
Strengthen the capacities of smallholder farmers for PGS and ICS, through the development of training materials
Raise consumer awareness of organic farming and healthier diets through targeted campaigns and social media influencers (“farmfluencers”).

Results and Successes

Enhanced Capacity of Smallholder Farmer Groups:

Develop 2 PGS and 2 ICS curricula
Train at least 30 individuals from India and Tanzania through a Train-the-Trainers (TOT) program
Increased Consumer Awareness and Improved Market Access: through training for at least 20 lead farmers per country to become “farmfluencers” through tailored training programs.

Project Partners and Cooperations

Tanzania Organic Agriculture Movement (TOAM), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), Bangalore, India
Wowzi.co, Kenya
Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), Tanzania