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Small is still beautiful Small World Issue 79

May 2023

A warm welcome to Small World online!

50 years ago this year, in his influential book Small is Beautiful, Practical Action’s founder, E.F. Schumacher called for innovative solutions that put people at their heart. We’re still working by those principles today.

That’s why in this edition of Small World, we’re shining a light on the possibilities of regenerative agriculture, and the innovative solutions that epitomise our people and planet-focused approach. This approach to farming offers a sustainable and profitable livelihood for smallholders while preserving Earth’s precious resources for generations to come.

Our efforts to make agriculture work better for people and the planet have expanded beyond just communities and now include businesses and governments too. By altering the systems that shape people’s lives, we’re able to positively impact many more people than we could ever work with directly. If Schumacher were alive today, we think he would have been truly impressed by the impact we’re achieving together.

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What do you think of Small World?

Results: Your Favourite Solution

Doughnut chart stating that Faecal sludge management was the winner of the poll with 28% of the votes. Floating farms was 25%. Solar-Powered water pumps was 21%. Gravity goods ropeway was 20%. Early warning systems was 4% and 2% selected other.

The poll results are now in!

After decades of working with communities to overcome their greatest challenges, we’ve created some ingenious solutions together. In the last issue of Small World, we asked you to vote for your favourite. And here are the results.

  1. Faecal Sludge Management (28%)
  2. Floating Farms (25%)
  3. Solar-Powered Water Pumps (21%)
  4. Gravity Goods Ropeway (20%)
  5. Early Warning Systems (4%)
  6. Other (2%)

Thank you for taking part, and for the lovely messages of encouragement and support you sent, like;

Impossible to choose! Always interested to hear about & support ingenious solutions.

Most of all, thank you for your gifts, which make all of these solutions, and many more, possible.

Find out more about Faecal Sludge Management

Learn more about Regenerative Agriculture

Mercy Anyango, 25, and her brother Robert Omondi, 27, use homemade manure to grow vegetables at their home in Kisumu

No soil, no food

An article in the Kathmandu Post discussing nutrient loss within the soil.

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Managing the local climate for Issue 79.

Managing the local climate

A third way to respond to climate change

Read or purchase the book

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Explore Further…

A woman in a red shirt reinventing chicken farming.

Transforming the Future of Youths in Rural Kenya

Watch this video from Kisumu, Kenya which shows how regenerative agriculture and community empowerment are helping to reduce youth unemployment.

Watch the Video
Two farmers showcasing their harvest in front of a traditional hut during the annual report on successful farming.

Planting for Progress

Discover more about our UK Aid Match project in Zimbabwe that uses solar power for irrigation, teaches business skills and promotes gender equality.

Discover more
E.F. Schumacher

E.F. Schumacher

Read more about E.F. Schumacher’s founding philosophy and how it still guides us today.

Read More
A woman in a thriving cornfield, showcasing successful farming.

Our Projects

Learn more about our projects across the globe.

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