Rikolto East Africa

The food on our plates is not to be taken for granted. In East Africa, 35% of young children is stunted due to malnutrition. To address these challenges and keep up with the ever-growing population in a changing climate, the food sector needs more stable supply chains to provide affordable food for all, today and tomorrow.

This challenge is critical:

By 2050, the global population is projected to exceed 9.6 billion. Global food production will need to increase by 50% to meet this challenge, which will be particularly acute in rapidly expanding urban areas.
Soil quality and water resources are already depleting and the impact of climate change is further aggravating this development.
Low prices and poverty are forcing farmers from the land and young people are turning their backs on a future in agriculture.
“Rikolto’s interventions in East-Africa have the ambition to contribute to systemic change in food systems.”
David LeyssensRegional Director Rikolto in East Africa

In East Africa more specifically, the population will double and almost half of the population will become urban residents by 2050. As a result, farmers will face rapidly growing local and regional markets. Rikolto believes family farms are a big part of the solution. Smallholder farmers produce 70% of our food worldwide, but individually they’re often cut out of the trade, ignored or even sanctioned by governments. They often end up in poverty and their huge potential is left untapped. Change on a global scale demands that food markets become more inclusive and offer value to all actors in the food chain. Smallholder farmers must be offered a fair