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We have developed an effective extension model that promotes adoptable options, which increase the productivity of a diverse range of crops and livestock, leading to increased food, nutrition, incomes, and resilience for smallholder farmers.
We think about technologies and options from the farmer’s perspective and develop simple, practical, innovative options across farming systems. These options deploy regenerative agriculture principles and take local knowledge and practices into account while responding to farmers’ challenges and opportunities, leading to relevant and impactful programs and research.
Everything we have done since our inception in 2003 has been driven by our commitment to deliver food security and resilience to farming households in sub-Saharan Africa. Once families are food secure it is possible to work on increasing their resilience to shocks and help them respond to opportunities that can make them thrive.
Whilst much of our funding comes from project grants, we use these funds to build sustainable support structures to deliver appropriate, cost-effective and proven technologies to smallholder farmers at scale.
Technologies have been developed through research to increase crop and livestock productivity. While the development of these technologies is a positive step, ensuring that smallholder farmers are aware of these technologies and have access to them is equally crucial.
The lack of awareness and access is often attributed to the absence of effective advisory services.
We have developed the Village-based Advisor (VBA) model where self-employed VBAs provide extension and advisory services and access to farm inputs and technologies that smallholder farmers need to increase the productivity of their crops and livestock in a sustainable way.
Our challenge is to ensure this model is implemented to assist all smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa to become food secure and to thrive.
Through a network of village-based advisors (VBAs), we offer training and options to farm inputs, technologies, and services. This approach is inclusive, training all farmers in the villages – including women farmers and marginalized low-income farming families. The VBAs gain commission from the sale of goods and services – which helps to make this delivery model sustainable. Read more about the VBA model.
FIPS programmes are rooted in co-creation, fostering collective action, trust, and sustainable outcomes that outlast individual projects. By engaging farmers, farm business agents, market actors, governments, and other partners, FIPS builds ownership, energizes local leadership, and supports systemic change at all levels.
FIPS emphasises resilience through adaptation and long-term sustainability by integrating environmental and economic considerations to build resilient farming communities. It co-develops tailored technologies with farmers, focusing on high-return, low-barrier solutions, supported by a network of village-based advisors and strong partnerships for scale. FIPS actively engages women and youth to address systemic inequities and drive transformation.
FIPS fosters a dynamic culture of innovation by blending horizon scanning, farmer-led ingenuity, and rigorous research to develop practical, frugal solutions for smallholder farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and market actors. Through trial packs and field-based experimentation, farmers adapt innovations to their local needs. This participatory approach is grounded in global and local knowledge.