b'provide professional staff and trial plots for testing the varie-ties locally. Together, we developed crop production guidelines that are suitable for smallholders, which use locally available ag-inputs and graphic illustrations. For example, we train precise fertilization using bottle caps (available everywhere!) for measur-ing the needed amounts of fertilizers.A significant component of our training methodology is on-farm mentoring of lead farmers through weekly visits in their own fields, to ensure proper adoption of high-quality seeds and best practices. These farmers serve as key agents of change: their success motivates their neighbours to adopt these prac-tices. To enable our outreach activities, we engage volunteers who are trained and guided by Fair Planet experts. They visit lead farmers fields weekly, together with local trainers, provide guidance and collect data on crop yields and income.Gen Z at Fair Planet: Gal Nir, project coordinator for Fair Planet in In my opinion, this approach of conducting independent vari- Tanzania. ety trials and engaging, from the beginning, local extension ser-vices and seed providers who secure the supply of the selected varieties followed by on-farm training of lead farmers, is the basisOUTPUT & SOCIAL ROI - 75,000 FARMERSfor sustainable outcomes and a successful exit strategy, as dem- EXTERNAL PROJECT EVALUATIONonstrated in the Meskan region in Ethiopia, within only six years. Within 5 yearsES: How do you select the lead farmers?SH: The local extension teams choose them. They know who theX3.1 26%early adopters and opinion leaders are. These farmers share theirMore Yield per 0.1 Ha Increase in knowledge and successful experience with their neighbors, whoHouseholds then adopt best practices. The program also builds the capac- 91% annual incomeity of local trainers who independently continue training a largerSold most ofcircle of farmers, thus leading to a strong ripple effect and aX20their produce Increase inquick spread of high-quality seeds and best practices.Sales of seedlings7.7M by local plant ES: Can you share some achievements? People with vegs supply raisersSH: The results are outstanding: during a 5-year project in Ethiopia, supported in part by the Dutch government, we trained 150 local trainers and mentored 2,363 lead farmers in 65 villages. Due to fast adoption of better seeds and GAP,AG-TECH TRANSFER FLOW IN ETHIOPIAmore than 75,000 smallholders have tripled their food produc- Within 5 years of Training:tion. Their average net-income from vegetables was $470 USD, which increased their households annual income by 26%. In parallel, the intervention contributed to a significant growth of150 trainers trainedthe private sector: annual sales of vegetable seedlings by local plant raisers increased from 10 to 200 million, and the annual value of imported vegetable seeds into Ethiopia increased by $7.9 million USD.2,360 Lead farmers trained in 65 villagesAn external evaluation of the projects impact, done by the Hebrew University, found that 96% of the farmers household members, more than 485,000 people, benefitted from improved nutrition and 45% of them used their additional income to send75,000their children to school. Since only about half of the surveyedNeighbor farmers reached due to diffusionfarmers had school-aged kids, it means that almost all of those who did have ones, were able to support their education. Furthermore, the study found that 96% of the farmers saved money for future needs and can re-invest in generating income485,000from farming in a sustainable manner.People improved their livelihood54/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2023'