Tools4SeedSystems: working towards resilience through root, tuber and banana crops in humanitarian settings

In post-conflict complex humanitarian situations, there is consensus for the need to “build back better” and support efforts to strengthen resilience among farmer groups who are vulnerable to the impact of climate-related shocks. In many contexts (e.g., the Great Lakes region in sub–Saharan Africa), roots, tubers, and bananas (RTB) are crucial crops for food security, nutrition, and income. RTB crops are versatile, nutritious staples that produce more food per unit area of land compared to many other crops, contribute directly to household food security, are often under women’s management, and are projected to be more climate resilient than grain crops. Yet, there is often limited awareness among humanitarian actors of the current role and contribution of RTB crops in local farming systems to re-build better, sustainable livelihoods.  

The RTB Toolbox was launched in 2021.  In 2022-2023 we have been working to understand the capacity needs of humanitarian partners to strengthen their root, tuber and banana interventions in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Haiti and Bangladesh.  

We hosted a two-day virtual workshop May 23rd and May 25th, 2023.  The objectives were to introduce RTB crops and seed systems and the RTB Toolbox as a set of evolving resources to understand seed systems and to improve interventions; and develop a better understanding of the specific context for humanitarian interventions and what this might mean for types of RTB seed production, and enhancing RTB seed quality,  

We are now pleased to invite you to a third session on August 22nd, 2023. Here we aim to share experiences and capture insights from field implementation in DRC and Cameroon. Welcome! 

Language: French with simultaneous translation to English available.