The SILMS project uses a market-based approach to increase smallholder farmers' incomes through the adoption of sustainable land management practices of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), agro-forestry and deforestation-free supply chains.

Our approach combines climate change mitigation with agricultural adaption strategies and is based on an in-depth understanding of the dynamics that have prevented a wider uptake of sustainable land management practices in spite of dwindling productivity and widespread demonstration of techniques such as conservation farming. Project objectives include:

• Incentivise and enable smallholder farmers to improve productivity using ISFM and agro-forestry practices through increased access to affordable inputs and extension services.

• Increase access to markets and finance for smallholders to support and sustain their adoption of ISFM and agro-forestry practices.

• Mitigate further deforestation and damage to land from uncontrolled agricultural expansion in the Eastern province.

• Support the development of nation-wide frameworks of practice that will enable widespread adoption of ISFM and agro-forestry practices as well as the replication of the deforestation-free supply chain model to other commodities.