Abstract: This pilot study examines how shared interest savings groups (SISGs) within smallholder farming communities will continue to play a major role in achieving the goal of sustainable food security. Our preliminary findings indicate that SISGS are an effective mechanism for bringing together farmers, farm families, suppliers, savings and credit schemes, transporters, processors, and marketers to collaborate in building value chains that assure a viable and sustainable local horticultural-based economy. Not everyone in a SISG is a farmer; but everyone is playing a part in creating, sustaining and scaling up a food-based economy. SISGs are a vehicle for local agricultural research and training institutions to introduce new farming technologies and practices. There is a process of shared knowledge, mutual learning and trust among farmers, researchers and consumers as new technologies and practices are adopted and adapted that assure the growth and marketing of safe and healthy vegetables.
Keywords: Savings, horticulture, adopted, adapted, healthy vegetables, shared knowledge, farming economies.
Title: Partnership in Agricultural Community Entrepreneurship (PACE)
Author: G. David Miller, Karen LeGrand, Fred Sagemuller, Cary Trexler, Glenn Young, Neda Yousefian
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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