Food and agriculture
Although this is the cornerstone of most developing countries' economies, agricultural production in many parts of the world is carried out on a small-scale by farmers and pastoralists. With little income or natural resources their lives are precarious and vulnerable. Practical Action's projects aim to increase income and access to food for the poor.
Examples of our approach
Adapting rice to saltier water
Using forgotten indigenous varieties of rice to grow in saltier water
Read moreCommunity-based extension
Access to information and new ideas to improve agriculture practice is important for small scale farmers.
Read moreDonkey ploughs
A light, inexpensive metal plough that can help people work much faster on their land and increase their harvests
Read moreFish cages
In rural Bangladesh, we are helping people to "grow" fish in their local ponds using an ingenious Practical Action-designed cage – and feeding them on nothing more than scraps and waste.
Read moreFloating gardens
Water hyacinth is collected to construct a raft, which is then covered in soil to enable farmers to grow food on flooded land
Read moreGyaner Haat - knowledge bazaars in Bangladesh
To meet the challenge of supplying essential knowledge to isolated people in poor rural communities, Practical Action has developed the gyaner haat, an innovative model of decentralised knowledge centres.
Read moreIrrigation
Using simple irrigation techniques, Practical Action is helping families move from malnutrition to self-sufficiency
Read moreMultiple use water systems
Constructed with local materials, these systems uses gravity to provide families with enough water to drink and to irrigate their crops
Read moreRainwater harvesting
Captures rainwater before it can be washed away, to be used once the rains have passed and soil is dehydrated
Read moreRice-fish culture
By introducing small fish into their rice fields, farmers can yield a better crop and provide their families with a protein-rich diet
Read moreTreadle pump
This foot-driven irrigation system greatly increases the income that farmers generate from their land
Read moreTurning compost into food
Thousands of compost filled holes can transform infertile sandbars into fields rich with pumpkins.
Read moreZeer pot fridge
Ceramic fridges use evaporation to keep food fresh and medicine cool in the hottest climates.
Read more