Implementing Green Innovation Centres for the agri-food sector

Context

One in eleven people worldwide suffers from hunger. More than three billion people also depend directly on the agri-food sector for their livelihoods. However, agriculture is facing the challenges of poor productivity, crop failures and a growing world population. Innovations in rural areas are therefore crucial to ensure food security for a steadily growing world population.

Objective

Innovations in the agri-food sector have contributed to long-term development in selected rural regions.

Approach

With a particular focus on women and young people, Green Innovation Centres support smallholder farms in increasing their production and income in sustainable ways. The centres also help to create new jobs in the processing of agricultural products with a larger proportion of profits then remaining in the area, especially in rural areas.

To achieve this, the Green Innovation Centres promote the dissemination of tried and tested innovations by providing advisory services, training and education to farmers and representatives of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the agri-food sector. Innovations can include, for example, agricultural machinery adapted to local conditions, improved seeds, fertilisers and cold chains. It is also often about new or improved forms of cooperation and organisation, such as producer groups.

The innovation centres network with agricultural colleges, knowledge centres and research institutions such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. They also work with civil society, associations and the private sector.

Last update: March 2025