Heifer International

Here at the National Press Club!   We’re excited to attend the launch of Virginia Tech’s 2024 Global Agricultural Productivity Report in Washington, D.C., today.   This year’s report addresses a pivotal challenge: closing the gap between innovation and widespread adoption — the “valley of death” — to accelerate agricultural productivity and meet urgent global food demands by 2050. With TFP growth currently at just 0.7% annually, public and private research and development alone won’t be enough to drive necessary change. The target now raised to 2% demands immediate action to strategically bundle tools with distribution methods that drive productivity for farmers worldwide.   As a technical partner of the GAP Initiative at Virginia Tech, Heifer International is proud to contribute to this conversation through our Mechanization for Africa Project in collaboration with Hello Tractor. By connecting smallholder farmers in Nigeria, Uganda and Kenya to affordable mechanization services, we’ve provided tractor services and mobile tractor monitoring to 21,048 smallholder farmers, created hundreds of direct jobs and grown farmer incomes by more than 200 percent.   As we engage with experts today, we’re committed to advocating for even more cutting-edge solutions that drive productivity growth while securing our agrifood systems, promoting environmental stewardship and economic resilience for a sustainable future. Special thanks to our team members Matthew Krause and Emilee Wessel for representing us at this event.   Read more about our work in the 2024 GAP Report → https://bit.ly/3N9O8JF

The crab hunting communities in the mangrove forests of Ecuador put a lot into their work - extending arms deep into the boggy mud each day to gather crabs they sell to earn modest incomes. In addition, through an arrangement with the government, these communities also help patrol and preserve the mangroves. Tough as this work is, it's become far more challenging in recent years as drug cartels have infiltrated Ecuador from neigboring countries and armed gangs began to shake down local residents - even threatening lives. This excellent story by Kimberly Brown in Hakai Magazine describes the scene in gritty detail, and includes a mention of how Heifer International's Ecuador team works with these crabbing communities to strengthen their resilience and market power: "Rosa Rodríguez, senior country director of Heifer Ecuador, says the collectives’ experience of working together, meeting for monthly meetings, monitoring their custodial lands, and making coordinated business decisions has made it easier to continue operating in an increasingly dangerous and complicated region. Their strength comes from their unity, says Rodríguez." CGIAR Inter-American Development Bank WorldFish GIZ Ecuador Global Environment Facility https://lnkd.in/eiJWAU6p

The Milpa: A Lesson in Life, Growth, and Community What happens when corn, beans, and squash come together in perfect harmony? In the heart of Yucatán, the ancient Milpa farming method is teaching us more than just agriculture—it’s a powerful metaphor for community, sustainability, and resilience. Join us on a transformative journey where we learned how these "three sisters" thrive through diversity, symbiosis, and care, nurturing both the land and its people. Discover the lessons we took home from this unforgettable experience 👉 [Read more]. #MilpaForLife #AgricultureForChange Last week, a diverse Heifer team embarked on a transformative journey to Yucatán, Mexico. From September 23 to 27, we immersed ourselves in the rich tapestry of Milpa farming, a sustainable agricultural practice deeply rooted in the region's history. Our experience was a profound exploration of interconnectedness, sustainability, and the power of community. Initially, we approached the Milpa as observers, eager to learn from the local farmers' expertise. However, as we delved deeper into this ancient agricultural system, we found ourselves becoming active participants. The Milpa, we discovered, is more than just a method of cultivation; it is a philosophy that celebrates the intricate balance between humans, nature, and community. One of the most striking lessons we learned was the importance of soil health. Before planting, farmers meticulously prepare the soil by replenishing it with organic matter and the ashes of previous crops. This act of renewal underscored the idea that a community, like the earth, needs constant care and nourishment to thrive. The "Three Sisters" – corn, beans, and squash – epitomize the power of diversity and interdependence. These crops, planted together in a symbiotic relationship, not only yield bountiful harvests but also symbolize the strength that comes from unity. In a world often divided, the Milpa offered a powerful reminder that true progress is achieved through collaboration and mutual support. Beyond the fields, we witnessed the wind carrying pollen from one cornfield to another, a metaphor for the exchange of ideas and knowledge between communities. This cross-pollination is essential for innovation and resilience. By sharing experiences and perspectives, we can collectively grow stronger. As our journey came to a close, we reflected on the profound lessons we had learned. The Milpa had transformed us from observers into active participants, from individuals into a united force. We left Yucatán inspired to apply the principles of sustainability, community, and interdependence to our own work.

Exciting Event news! 🚀 Empowering Rural India through Innovative Poultry Farming 🐔🌾 Passing Gifts, a subsidiary of Heifer International launched an Innovative Backyard Poultry (BYP) Model under the #HatchingHope Project at a national event in New Delhi last week. This ground-breaking initiative, co-developed by Heifer International and the Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED), with support from Cargill, is set to revolutionize rural poultry farming, boosting livelihoods, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable practices. 🔑 Key Highlights: ➡️ Successfully piloted in Mayurbhanj, Odisha, the model will now expand to seven states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. ➡️ Aligns with National Livestock Mission (NLM) and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) guidelines. ➡️ Focuses on improving practices and technologies to empower communities and strengthen rural economies. 🌟 Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International, shared: "This model enhances rural incomes, tackles nutrition issues, empowers women, and promotes sustainability. By improving the entire value chain—from breeder farmers to hatcheries—we are building resilient communities ready to overcome economic and environmental challenges." 👥 A panel of experts discussed the path to national expansion: ➡️ Mr. Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary of Rural Development, highlighted the role of poultry in rural income and how women-led initiatives like Pashu Sakhis and the CAVE model are driving sustainable change. ➡️ Dr. Sujit K. Dutta, Mission Director, National Livestock Mission, praised the initiative’s potential for economic empowerment and suggested further exploration of the NLM scheme for entrepreneurs. ➡️ Dipanwita Chakraborty, Regional Lead for Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability at Cargill, emphasized the importance of ongoing education and training to ensure the success of backyard poultry farmers. ➡️ Anuj Kumbhat, CEO of WRMS Global discussed the critical role of financial products like weather-protect insurance in safeguarding farmers against climate-related risks. ➡️ Suryamani Roul, Managing Trustee of FEED, noted, "This national-level adoption is a testament to the model’s success." ➡️ Anirban Ghose, Co-lead of Transform Rural India, urged stakeholders to back the model’s expansion for broader impact. 🎉 Special shoutout to the progressive farmers who shared their success stories and were honored for their contributions! Your efforts are truly inspiring. 💪🏽 This is just the beginning! We're excited to continue expanding this transformative model across India and empower more rural communities. #GoatFarming #SustainableDevelopment #SmallholderFarmers #PoultryFarming #RuralEmpowerment #WomenInAgriculture #Sustainability #Livelihoods Neena Joshi Rina Soni Nawaz Alam Akshaya Kumar Biswal Anamika Priyadarshini, Dr. Abdus Sabur Sheikh

In a place where opportunities are scarce, Sushmita Chidi returned home to create her own. See how she did it one goat at a time. Heifer International Nepal #womeninbusiness #womeninagriculture #investinruralwomen

The enormous scale of global food loss comes with substantial social, economic and environmental costs. Each year, an estimated 1.3 billion tons of food — equivalent to a third of what's produced for human consumption — is either lost or wasted, which leads to an economic burden of about $940 billion. These repercussions include the wasteful use of essential resources like water and energy, as well as increased greenhouse gas emissions. Read on to see how we are addressing the subject by supporting farmers and streamlining agribusinesses. → http://ms.spr.ly/6040mn2Mm #FLWDay #StopFoodLossWaste

We’re being featured on Global Impact’s Give Global Blog this week!

Today is the big day at #climateweekNYC! Join Heifer International at the Foreign Policy Food+ Forum to explore how to build resilient, secure global food systems in the face of climate change, regional conflicts, and more. Heifer Africa SVP Adesuwa Ifedi will join Simeon Ehui of CGIAR and Martien van Nieuwkoop of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on a panel about Farming the Future: Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa's Agricultural Sector. Other speakers include: Dina Esposito, Cary Fowler, Avinash Persaud, Sanah Baig, Bruce Bodine, Iffath Sharif, Shakuntala Thilsted, Per F I Pharo, Carla Fajardo. Register for virtual attendance: https://lnkd.in/dzq2Vaea

Farmers around the world rely on livestock to provide a stable source of nutrition and income for their families. That's why we work to ensure these farmers have the resources they need to keep their animals healthy and well. Join us as we acknowledge the vital work of animal health care providers across the globe by shining a light on a few of those from our projects who have made a huge impact in their communities. Read more → http://ms.spr.ly/6049mV9Lh

Today on World Gratitude Day, we are grateful for people like Jaebok Lee. ❤️ In the early 1950s, Heifer International gifted South Korean families, including Jaebok, livestock to combat the severe hunger and poverty from the Korean War. Eventually, Jaebok was able to multiply the two heifers he received into 100 milking cows. But, even today, he hasn't forgotten the two Heifer volunteers who initially helped him. "I keep the men’s portraits in my room, hanging on the wall, so that I won’t forget my gratitude," said Jaebok. "Every day I remind myself and my family of Heifer and practice Heifer’s Passing on the Gift in all aspects of my life." Now, seven decades later, in partnership with the South Korean government and Heifer Korea, he has helped donate 100 Holstein heifers to Nepal. "There is a Korean proverb saying, ‘gratitude must be remembered and must be repaid.’ This is very similar to Heifer’s Passing on the Gift principle. We were happy to Pass on the Gift." Read more → http://ms.spr.ly/6049mVgoH