West Africa’s smallholders are dynamic and innovative and, if given the opportunity, could easily and sustainably double or treble their productivity. This would have a huge impact on the region’s food security and economic growth.

 

Around 75 per cent of the worlds’ poorest 1.2 billion people live in rural areas and depend on farming. These small-holder farmers play an essential role in the development, maintenance and use of agricultural biodiversity. Improvements in agricultural production brought about through the use of modern varieties have been possible because of the rich and varied genetic diversity in farmers’ landraces, together with material from wild and weedy species.