In many countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America people experience the loss of vital natural resources. But the effects of deforestation, erosion and the loss of vegetation and biodiversity are no longer limited to certain regions. Climate change and desertification constantly increase the number of refugees. Environmental migration has become a global phenomenon that also threatens economies and societies of affluent countries.

The rural population of poor countries is most affected by the destruction of natural resources. Falling agricultural production, declining income and rising competition for natural resources intensify the vicious circle of poverty. Most of the people living from less than a dollar per day live in rural areas. Poverty is still a predominantly rural and female phenomenon.

Today, fighting poverty is first and foremost about guaranteeing a sufficient supply of food and water. It is therefore necessary to devote more attention on the promotion of sustainable and productive agriculture and the protection of natural resources.

The last decades have shown that technical innovation alone is not sufficient to enable vulnerable populations to make use of their potentials. The first “Green Revolution” has not reached the majority of African farmers as social, ecologic and economic conditions as well as the institutional framework differ widely. Improving political frame conditions (democratisation, legislation) is necessary, but far from sufficient for effective poverty reduction.

The professional and institutional capacities of all concerned stakeholders need to be developed. DED focuses on strengthening the capacities of local institutions, farmers’ organisations, service providers, government and private sector. Particularly small farmers find it difficult to invest into productivity increase and to meet the standards of increasingly globalised value chains. They cannot fulfil the requirements on quantity, quality and punctuality without changing their way of production and the form of commercialisation.

Therefore, capacity development aims at (directly or indirectly) enabling farmers to use their potentialities in the frame of a sustainable and economically viable livelihood. DED experts support the process through mediation between different interest groups, strengthening of service providers and farmers’ organisations, and support to governmental coordination, regulation and advisory bodies.