Cereal Banks

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM
14 May 2021

Description of the innovative solution

Prices of cereals fluctuate a lot depending on seasons and potential food system shocks, such as droughts, pests, and diseases. Cereal banking is a community-based risk management strategy that involves buying food during harvest when prices are low and storing it for consumption during tough seasons when food prices are high. The purpose is to smooth availability and consumption patterns in rural communities and households throughout the year. Cereal banks have been already introduced in several regions seriously affected by climate change and food insecurity. Cereal Banks can provide the...

Prices of cereals fluctuate a lot depending on seasons and potential food system shocks, such as droughts, pests, and diseases. Cereal banking is a community-based risk management strategy that involves buying food during harvest when prices are low and storing it for consumption during tough seasons when food prices are high. The purpose is to smooth availability and consumption patterns in rural communities and households throughout the year. Cereal banks have been already introduced in several regions seriously affected by climate change and food insecurity. Cereal Banks can provide the local communities, mostly living in rural areas, with the opportunity to trade their productions in more advantageous periods. This system will be helpful to strengthen the country’s organizational, logistic and infrastructural effectiveness.

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Cereal Bank in Mali
Cereal Bank in Mali
Project information

Cereal Banks have allowed rural communities in Mali to purchase grain at low cost during challenging seasons.

Mali
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

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Are cereal banks best option to fight hunger?
News article, popular press or blog post
This article raises some concerns and doubts about the use of cereal banks in low-income communities in Africa.
Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

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Pathways to uptake

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Increasing availability and accessibility of food staples to local rural communities during food system disturbances/conflict.
Cereal Banks
Sri Lanka

Establishing community-based cereal banks to mitigate the vulnerabilities of varying food prices during the year caused by economic and political crisis. A risk management system beneficial to the community. Food staples are stored during harvest time and resold affordably for consumption during difficult seasons.

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