b'To maximize the potential of the improved vari-eties, thousands of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia were trained in GAP in a second phase, and within five years, the projects impact reached more than 75,000 farmers, she says. From growing improved vegetables and using GAP in their small plots, their yields increased more than threefold, leading to an average $470 increase in their house-holds annual income, from only one production season.Not only that, but an external survey by the Hebrew University found the additional income enabled 96% of their families to improve their nutri-tion. In addition, 45% used the additional income to send their children to school, and 96% of house-holds have saved money, allowing sustainable economic growth. Haran equates the success of Fair Planet pro-jects due not only to helping smallholder farmers learn to grow varieties themselves but also help-ing to equip the entire region with knowledge and expertise. For the partnership with ISF, the concept would be the same, Khan Niazi says. Seed companieshopefully, in this case, ISF member companieswould provide Fair Planets team with locally adapted varieties. Those seeds would be tested to see what grows well locally in Rwanda to deter-mine what varieties Fair Planet will continue to work with and train smallholder farmers about.Above: Fair PlanetHowever, Khan Niazi says theyre hoping to celebrates a tomatoexpand what seeds growers will have access to. harvest with smallholderAt the moment, Fair Planet is focusing more farmers.on vegetableswe would like to open it as well to cereals, potatoes, pulses and other crops, she Left: With proper care,says. ISF is going to give more exposure to the smallholder farmers canconcept of the project, but the companies are grow and harvest largegoing to contract directly with Fair Planettheyll tomatoes.be leading the project on the ground, and were going to work with the national authorities in Right: A cabbageRwanda to help develop the local seed system.harvest after a year ofThe key for ISF, though, is showing these policy-working with Fair Planet. makers how NGOs and the private sector can work together to create a better seed system.We want to show the policymakers and the regulatory makers understand the people on the ground and how we can all work together, Khan Niazi adds. Not only that, but the private sector can bring positive things to the seed sector in a given country.Bringing the Project to LifeAfter forming the partnership, it really came down to finding the perfect location to launch the joint venture. Ultimately, ISF and Fair Planet decided one of the best options for the project location was Rwanda. INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2023 SEEDWORLD.COM /31'