Food Security and Nutrition

At Heifer, we work alongside smallholder farmers to build resilient food systems that ensure families have reliable access to nutritious food and sustainable incomes. Nearly half of the world’s population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods. For these communities, increasing the productivity of crops and livestock is not just about food, it’s about health, dignity, and economic opportunity. Our programs are designed to strengthen local food systems while nurturing the environment and advancing climate-conscious, inclusive development. 

We support farmers through: 

• Training and technical support to improve crop yields and livestock productivity. 

• Nutrition education and promotion of kitchen gardens to diversify diets. 

• Regenerative and climate-smart practices that protect natural resources and produce healthy food. 

• Improved access to markets, capital, and infrastructure to reduce losses and increase farm income. 

• Development of local value chains to reduce dependency on food imports and promote food sovereignty. 

Since 2006, Heifer has trained over 418,000 people on nutrition and healthy food practices, helping families improve their diets while building stronger rural economies. By investing in people and local food systems, we help communities move toward food security, improved nutrition, and a more sustainable future.