Canada to scale agricultural innovations to improve food security

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Global Affairs Canada have announced seven new projects to be supported under the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund (CIFSRF). The projects will develop, test and apply ways to scale up innovations in food security and nutrition.

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These projects will scale up effective, pilot-tested innovations so that they reach poor rural populations, particularly women and small-holder farmers.
The projects will include:

• Using information campaigns to bring proven solutions to more legume farmers in Tanzania;
• Producing more yogurt with key nutrients in Africa with freeze-dried bacteria;
• Scaling up the manufacture of double fortified salt to fight anaemia in India;
• Expanding the adoption of nutritious, disease-resistant potatoes in Colombia;
• Bringing supplies, knowledge, and profits to Kenyan farmers through Farm Shops™;
• Reducing barriers to millet production and consumption in India;
• Using radio and cell phones to speed adoption of better farming practices in Ghana; and
• (Previously announced) Scaling up local production of therapeutic and fortified foods in Vietnam,

All research teams are built on strong partnerships between research, development and business-oriented organizations from Canada and eligible developing countries.

"Food security and nutrition are an important part of Canada's effort to improve the lives the world's poorest and most vulnerable people," said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie. "The projects announced today will help developing-country researchers and other experts find innovative ways to increase the production of nutritious food."

"IDRC and CIFSRF bring together the right partners to inform and scale up solutions to development challenges," said IDRC President Jean Lebel. "We are building on a strong track record of food security research."

CIFSRF is a $124-million fund that works to increase food security in developing countries by funding research in agricultural innovation and nutrition, and fostering collaboration between developing-country researchers and Canadian experts. The results help governments, institutions, private enterprises, and farmers adopt better food security policies and practices.

To date, more than 100,000 women and men farmers in poor communities around the globe have worked with researchers to achieve significant results. CIFSRF is now looking to expand the reach of the most promising solutions.

About CIFSRF
The Canadian International Food Security Research Fund is a program funded jointly by Canada's International Development Research Centre and Global Affairs Canada. It supports partnerships between Canadian and developing-country research organizations, linking scientific knowledge, policies, programs, and practical activities. http://www.idrc.ca/cifsrf

About IDRC
Part of Canada's foreign affairs and development efforts, IDRC invests in knowledge, innovation, and solutions to improve lives and livelihoods in developing regions of the world. Bringing together the right partners around opportunities for impact, IDRC builds leaders for today and tomorrow and helps drive large-scale positive change. www.idrc.ca

About Global Affairs Canada
Global Affairs Canada manages Canada's diplomatic and consular relations, facilitates the country's international trade, and leads Canada's international development and humanitarian assistance. Global Affairs believes in the potential for development innovation to drive positive change to meet 21st century challenges. www.international.gc.ca 

SOURCE International Development Research Centre