This small research and development activity (SRA) aimed to determine how best to sustain the conservation and use of coconut genetic diversity for the Asia-Pacific Region and globally. Coconut is important to millions of smallholder households in over 90 tropical countries. In 2014, the world produced around 61 million tonnes of coconuts, mainly for domestic consumption, but also for copra, oil, fibre, timber, milk and 'water'.

This Small Research Activity (SRA) built upon a direct procurement approach tested in Busia County, Western Kenya, between 2014-2017 with support from ACIAR. The approach, which also encouraged the incorporation of underutilized, nutrient-rich crops in school meals, was able to successfully link farmers to schools and provide healthy school meals to approximately 5,500 pupils while creating employment opportunities for the farmers involved.

This pilot study aimed to improve the sustainable production and consumption of nutrient-rich indigenous crops to diversify diets in Busia County, Western Kenya, by linking rural entrepreneurs to institutional markets.

Mitigation of the threat posed by two diseases of bananas - namely fusarium wilt (caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) and banana blood disease (caused by Pseudomonas celebensi) - has been the objective of two recent ACIAR projects. Foc is devastating smallholder banana farms in Indonesia because of the occurrence of a virulent race, TR4, which overcomes resistance mechanisms that Cavendish bananas demonstrate to other fusarium races.

Successes and evidence from around the world demonstrate the potential for multiple benefits – enhanced nutrition, improved school performance and achievement, employment and national economic growth - of locally sourced school meals. The purchasing of food for schools from local farmers can support farming households and livelihoods, and promote sustainable local markets for diverse, nutritious foods. Well-planned and joined-up interventions have the potential to realize much synergy and multiple wins at many levels.