Small_N_Household_survey_in_DRC_2024

In postconflict complex humanitarian situations, there is consensus on the need to “build back better” and support efforts to strengthen resilience among farmer groups vulnerable to 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 than 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, humanitarian actors often have limited awareness of RTB crops' current role and contribution to local farming systems to rebuild better, sustainable livelihoods. Thus, humanitarian interventions are underperforming in these contexts. Humanitarian crises can impact seed systems in multidimensional ways depending on the cause and duration of the shock (i.e., drought, floods, plant or human disease outbreak, conflict). Seed insecurity manifests as reduced seed availability, difficulty in sourcing or accessing seed when required, and poor phytosanitary or physical quality of seed. The overall purpose is to enhance the effectiveness and appropriateness of USAID BHA’s agricultural programming investments in countries with RTB agrifood systems to achieve food security and resilience goals. The purpose will be achieved by assessing current intervention needs and providing advanced training as well as technical support in partnership with local training/research institutions to private and public-sector stakeholders for seed value chains of RTB crops. The project is implemented in Eastern DRC and has three objectives linked to three intermediate outcomes.