Rikolto
Find the contact person under each propject proposal.
1. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems: Climate smart agriculture through Life Cycle Assessment for eco-labeling
Building on the results of current action-research between ESPOL, KU Leuven and Rikolto on ecological footprint in avocado, collect essential data on energy, fertilizer, pesticide use. To be used to conduct dedicated life cycle assessments, including a representative food chain up to import harbour in US/Europe, to obtain ecolabel certification.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
SDG 8: Decent work & economic growth
Country to which this topic applies: Ecuador
Contact person: Johanne Renckens (johanna.renckens@rikolto.org)
2. Valorisation of cocoa by-products to boost Ecuador's bioeconomy (proposal Rikolto and ESPOL)
The project aims to develop sustainable technologies to make full use of cocoa by-products (husks, mucilage and shells). It proposes to create product prototypes, train farmers in primary production of by-products and encourage investment in technology for the development of packaging, powdered products with antioxidant capacity and production of pectin.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 9: Industry, innovation & infrastructure
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: Ecuador
Contact person: Johanne Renckens (johanna.renckens@rikolto.org)
3. Green Plantain Peels: Opportunities for Sustainable Industrialisation of banana peels (Rikolto and ESPOL)
The project proposes a process for the extraction of starch, fibre and phenolic compounds from green banana peel. Maximising the use of this agricultural by-product and minimising waste. Sequential extraction allows obtaining macromolecules of high industrial value for applications in functional foods and bioproducts of SMEs or Farmer Organisations.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 8: Decent work & economic growth
SDG 9: Industry, innovation & infrastructure
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: Ecuador
Contact person: Johanne Renckens (johanna.renckens@rikolto.org)
4. Cocoa post-harvest: Implementation of sustainable and safe fermentation and drying techniques (Rikolto and ESPOL)
The project proposes the agricultural implementation of the fermentation and drying methods investigated in the CREA project (Rikolto and ESPOL) in a farmer organization. It would be based on the pilot implementation of the research carried out in a farmer organization to validate and define the model for replication.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 8: Decent work & economic growth
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
SDG 1: No poverty
Country to which this topic applies: Ecuador
Contact person: Johanne Renckens (johanna.renckens@rikolto.org)
5. Research of financing requirements of SMEs and producer organisations and the existing models of financing supply national and international
Conduct research into the financing requirements of SMEs and producer organisations and their weaknesses and strengths in relation to access to financing. Analysing the existing financing supply in the national and international market. With this information, propose innovative sustainable financing models for this target group, known as the "missing middle".
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 8: Decent work & economic growth
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
Country to which this topic applies: Ecuador
Contact person: Johanne Renckens (johanna.renckens@rikolto.org)
6. What factors other than price and quality can influence consumers to choose SRP/environmentally produced rice?
Rikolto Uganda rice program has started a healthy rice initiative where we are trying to popularize consumption of healthy rice through branding by local traders; however, consumers seem to consider mainly the price and quality of rice. We wish to explore other factors that are important for consumers to choose SRP/ environment-friendly produced rice. This question can be addressed with National Agricultural research organization (NARO), Rikolto and the National SRP chapter.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
SDG 2: Zero hunger
Country to which this topic applies: Uganda
Contact person: Moses Kalende (moses.kalende@rikolto.org)
7. Comparative analysis of the determinants of farmers' choice to adopt the best agricultural practices promoted by Rikolto between technological innovations (ISFM, SRI), regenerative agriculture and agroecological practices.
The result of this research would lead us to identify the innovation approaches/models that our intervention should strengthen the most towards producers to ensure increased rice production and productivity in the DRC.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: D.R. Congo
Contact person: Augustin Rushunda (augustin.rushunda@rikolto.org)
8. How can integrating human-centric and resilient strategies in Ecuador’s agri-food supply chains strengthen accountability systems, driving sustainability and social responsibility within producer organizations?
The issue of accountability for producer organisations would be key to ensuring that agri-food supply chains maintain their resilience and human-centred approach. This requires a thorough analysis of the practices, challenges and opportunities of small and medium-sized farmers, assessing how to improve transparency, decision-making and resource management, aligned with the principles of Industry 5.0.
The results of this analysis would contribute to achieving a balance between economic performance, environmental responsibility and human well-being, promoting both sustainability and long-term development for producers.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 3: Good health & well-being
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: Ecuador
Contact person: Johanne Renckens (johanna.renckens@rikolto.org)
9. Sustainable Agriculture: Effect of reducing nitrogen fertilizer and adding compost to increase yields in sustainable rice production
Identify solutions to the challenge of promotion of regenerative agricultural practices and ensuring that there is sufficient productivity for generating decent income for rice farmers.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: Indonesia
Contact person: Nana Suhartana (nana.suhartana@rikolto.org)
10 Sustainable Agriculture: Development of microorganisms and soil biodiversity for carbon absorption to reduce evaporation of methane gas in rice production
Linking rice production to carbon emission reduction.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: Indonesia
Contact person: Nana Suhartana (nana.suhartana@rikolto.org)
11. What are the key incentives and drivers that influence consumers, vendors, traders, transporters, and farmers in East Africa to adopt Participatory Food Safety System Standards (PFSS), and how do these factors vary across different stakeholder groups?
This research would be related to Rikolto's Good Foot for City programme in East Africa.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 3: Good health & well-being
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production;
Countries to which this topic applies: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda
Contact person: Kain Mvanda (kain.mvanda@rikolto.org)
12. How can multi-stakeholder approaches, including public sector policies and landscape management, contribute to creating sustainable food systems and fostering climate resilience in rural-urban settings?
This research question is related to Rikolto's Good Food for Cities programme in Indonesia.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 17: Partnerships for the SDG's
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: Indonesia
Contact person: Nonie Kaban (nonie.kaban@rikolto.org)
13. Which innovative approaches/ models can stimulate protection of agro-biodiversity for sustainable ecosystems conservation and prosperity?
This research question relates to Rikolto's work on Integrated Landscape Management.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 17: Partnerships for the SDG's
Country to which this topic applies: Rwanda
Contact person: Frank Rugamba (frank.rugamba@rikolto.org)
14. What are the key trends and challenges in the implementation of compliance improvements for smallholder farmers to meet international sustainability standards, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and Green China?
How can targeted interventions enhance their capacity to align with these requirements?
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 12: Responsible consumption & production
SDG 8: Decent work & economic growth
SDG 13: Climate Action
Country to which this topic applies: Indonesia
Contact person: Ade Budi Kurniawan (ade.kurniawan@rikolto.org)
15. How does a solidarity-based business model for the production and marketing of free-range eggs contribute to improving the nutrition of children affected by malnutrition?
How does a solidarity-based business model for the production and marketing of free-range eggs contribute to improving the nutrition of children affected by malnutrition through the intake of 1 egg per day and at the same time help prevent food loss and waste? The case of the Quito Food Bank.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 2: Zero hunger
SDG 3: Good health & well-being
Country to which this topic applies: Ecuador
Contact person: Carolina Salazar (carolina.salazar@rikolto.org)
16. How can cities promote access to adequate food for the most vulnerable population?
This concerns the governance of markets and its contributions to the dynamization of the local economy, as well as social and cultural interaction.
Applicable SDG(s):
SDG 1: No poverty
SDG 2: Zero hunger
Country to which this topic applies: Peru
Contact person: Mariela Wismann (mariela.wismann@rikolto.org)