Thanks Helen.  You are completely right : the recent "Green Revolution"in the drylands of Malawi is at least partly due to small-scale horticulture by the rural population.  NGOs play a very important role in this (r)evolution.  Their successes should inspire donors, and not only the largest ones,to provide substantial financial aid for duplication of these "best practices" at the largest national and even international scale.  

Food aid can only be a temporary relief, because it is never eliminating the causes of the drought catastrophe. Think at my variant of the Chinese proverb : "Don't bring these people food, teach them how to grow it".

Prof. Dr. Willem Van Cotthem Beeweg 36 - B 9080 Zaffelare (Belgium)