In truly resilient food systems, farmers weather economic downturns, food is plentiful and nutritious, women are equal partners, and farmers are connected to end markets. Tanager partners with farmers, corporations, foundations, and government entities to improve supply chain and food system resilience around the world. By increasing farmers’ incomes through good agricultural practices, streamlining supply chains, promoting gender equality, encouraging nutritious diets, and strengthening farmer organizations, Tanager bolsters community resilience and achieves our mission of “Growth for Good.”
Mars Wrigley partnered with Tanager to source peanuts from farmers in Gujarat, India. Despite India’s large peanut exports, quality issues, low yields, and aflatoxins prevented peanut farmers from securing premium prices. Tanager co-created the Mangal Moongfali program with Mars Wrigley to address these problems, working with more than 3,000 peanut farmers to transform the region into a viable source for high-quality peanuts.
NUTRITION AND GENDER INTEGRATION
In Burkina Faso, poultry is a dietary staple, and its production is a growing, vital source of income for millions. Because of pervasive gender inequities, women are often left out of poultry farming, leaving them more vulnerable to poverty and gender-based violence.
Tanager partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to improve gender inclusion in the sector, while reducing poultry mortality through better practices. After five years, the program reached 86,000 community members. By empowering women to become poultry farmers and vaccinators and sensitizing men to the importance of women’s rights, Tanager is working to shift cultural norms, increase women’s incomes, and improve nutrition.
SAVING JAYESH’S PEANUT CROP
Jayesh Bhai Jaman Bhai Bhakkad, 41, has grown cash crops using traditional farming methods in the Thanapipli village of Gujarat, India, for decades. Last year, Jayesh noticed a decline in his output and income, due in part to a fungus attacking his peanut crop.
With guidance from Tanager’s staff, Jayesh tried a low-cost micronutrient spray for a week to see if it would have an effect on the fungus threatening his livelihood. Almost overnight, the spray worked, returning the green color of a healthy peanut plant. He applied the treatment three more times, as advised, and saved his crop for the year.
BIBATA TRAORÉ OVERCAME A DISABILITY TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR IN BURKINA FASO
Once introduced to the SELEVER Project, Bibata Traoré (photo) began attending poultry, gender, and nutrition trainings, despite being hard of hearing. She overcame her disability by using her husband’s phone to record sessions, which she listened to with her family in the evenings, seeking clarity from her sister who also joined the trainings.
Bibata understood that raising poultry could generate more income for her family. Beginning with one bird, which she purchased for about three dollars, Bibata expanded her flock and followed the recommended vaccinations. Her husband helped her have two coops built, demonstrating the buy-in from men in the community. Soon, her flock increased from one hen to more than 100 birds.
“Previously, it was unimaginable for a woman to think that, like a man, she could raise poultry to sell for income. But today, things are changing.”
— Bibata Traoré, a poultry producer
