We invest into projects pursuing a NUCLEUS-PLASMA approach, which means that larger central plantations, the nucleus, are established which interact closely with the surrounding smallholder farmer communities, the plasma, to create a production cluster of mutual benefit.

The central plantation provides quality management, certification, processing and access to the world market without middlemen and passes the corresponding higher prices on to the small producers.

Farmers receive, for example, more productive and drought and pest-resistant planting material, adequate inputs and are taught regenerative agricultural practices, generally incentivized to switch to crops more adapted to changing weather patterns and temperatures.

The nucleus farm studies and seeks to incorporate agroecological practices from smallholders that offer promising models for promoting biodiversity, conserving natural resources, sustaining yield without agrochemicals, providing ecological services and remarkable lessons of resilience in the face of continuous environmental and economic change.

Through this approach we seek to achieve tangible improvements in farmers’ livelihoods derived from higher yields and better prices. While at the same time creating production clusters of healthy and resilient farms that can deal better with droughts, floods, storms and rising temperatures. Both preconditions for successful and sustainable agricultural production that can adapt to climate change.