As climate changes threaten smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, innovative solutions integrating robust housing, nutrition and income are urgently needed. An academic paper published case studies evaluating pilot implementations of adapted metal-construction homestead and agricultural complex designs developed through collaboration between Lida Group architects and agricultural NGO RisiTera.

Background and Motivation

Most tropical rural households rely on rain-fed subsistence farming using traditional techniques on degraded soils with little resilience to variable conditions. Malnutrition and poverty remain endemic. RisiTera sought durable housing models integrating nutritious mixed home gardens, poultry/livestock and value-addition units to strengthen resilience through commercial smallholding agriculture.

Adapting Modular Metal Construction

Lida Group applied their engineering expertise developing typhoon-resistant metal modular housing to agricultural use. Prefabricated framed panels assembled portable complexes combining living quarters, adjoining storage sheds and flexible-design livestock pens/poultry coup areas sandwiching insulation between corrosion-resistant coated metal sheeting.

Pilot Project Implementation

Two pilot complexes installed in remote villages hosted family-run trainings. Households received multi-grafted fruit trees, vaccinated poultry/goats, agricultural training and sales market access. Centers stored supplies/equipment. Post-occupancy surveys assessed impacts on incomes, nutrition and perceptions compared to traditional homesteads.

Findings from Case Studies

Metal homesteads proved vastly more durable than traditional thatched/bamboo designs, avoiding rebuild costs from extreme conditions. Attached gardens and livestock areas optimized small plots producing diverse harvests bolstering dietary diversity scores. Strengthened assets reduced financing needs. Reduced post-harvest losses through attached storage units improved commercial potential. Participants reported security/comfort improvements enhancing livelihood stability. Cost-benefit analyses demonstrated long term financial feasibility compared to rebuilding traditional designs.

Scaling Adoption

Success spurred wider partnerships with agribusinesses, mills, input retailers and microfinance institutions to establish a “hub” production and training model. Subsequent networks across six provinces installed hundreds of homestead complexes housing thousands. Associated enterprises now commercially maintain poultry/goat genetic improvement, fruit tree nurseries and market linkages. Farmer field schools operate from the mobile metal complexes.

Monitored Impacts

Longitudinal studies found transformative impacts on household nutrition, incomes and climate-risk management. Cash crop commercialization expanded on model farm plots. Village savings led to additional complex amenities like renewable energy and water infrastructure. Expanded adoption strengthened rural economies and food security across wider landscapes through resilient diversified smallholdings. Participants utilized new skills establishing agro-entrepreneurial SMEs.

In conclusion, the pilot projects and evaluated scale-ups validated community-driven agro-housing models integrating tropical homestead agriculture, nutrition and climate resilience through adapted metal construction techniques. Broader dissemination promises to empower vulnerable smallholder households across similar at-risk geographies through dignified shelter and livelihood solutions improving food security and rural development outcomes.

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