DIVERSITY OF INDIGENOUS FOOD SUPPLY

Small farmers in emerging and developing countries play a vital role as custodians of indigenous food supply, preserving traditional indigenous crops for local consumers and those in the Diaspora and international markets

• Responsibilities include safeguarding the biodiversity of indigenous food crops, contributing to local food security, and upholding cultural traditions related to indigenous food crops.

 

• Market advantages of small farmers enable them to provide a food supply for domestic and international sales to the diaspora and other markets.

 

• Direct sales and farmers’ markets provide small farmers with the opportunity to receive 100% of the retail price for their goods, allowing them to focus on producing high-quality, diverse goods.

 

• Support for neighbouring businesses and positive impact on the local economy through farmers’ markets and direct sales, creating a ripple effect in the local economy.

 

• Investment in local food producers increases food security in a region, making it more resilient in the event of disruptions in long-distance food supply.

 

• Increased incomes for farmers who supply to wholesale channels, providing them with more resources for investment in new technologies and a pathway out of poverty.

 

• Preservation of indigenous food heritage and cultural identity through the supply of indigenous food crops such as yam, hot peppers, onion, ginger, cocoa, and coffee.

 

• Small farmers contribute significantly to the food supply chain, ensuring the availability of diverse and nutritious food options and reducing dependency on a limited set of crops.