ECHO frequently receives questions from members of our network, asking how available land could be used to grow food and/or create income to augment an otherwise non-agricultural project. Broadly speaking, they are asking how to begin an institutional agriculture project—a coordinated agriculture effort undertaken by an institution or community of people, for the purpose of creating economic, environmental and/or nutritional benefits.
Some examples of institutional agriculture projects are:
- 40 laying hens which provide eggs for an orphanage
- a medicinal plant garden on the grounds of a village medical clinic
- Four hectares of rice, three hectares of fruit trees and 20 beehives operated by a vocational school
- a moringa seedling nursery at a small, private primary school
This Best Practices Note explores common pitfalls and challenges related to design and implementation of an institutional agriculture project. It also outlines proven principles and practices that a development practitioner can implement in a variety of settings.
Cite this article as:
ECHO Staff. 2014. Institutional Agricultural Design. ECHO Best Practice Note no. 4.