Evidence
Akeyo is built on practical experience, first and foremost. Nothing beats meeting with farmers who express how a new method or technology has made them grow more, or seeing a savings group paying out hard-earned savings.
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Regardless, more systematic evidence can make the practical experience stand even stronger. Below is a small selection of the evidence behind the Akeyo model.
Savings groups work
In a randomized control trial, researchers find that savings groups strongly improve savings and credit levels, and also lead to women empowerment and business outcomes. As stand-alone, savings group are highly effective and sustainable, but not in themselves transformative.
Videos lead to change
Videos are effective at changing behavouir and increasing yields, researchers show. Households that were shown videos of improved maize storage are more likely to apply recommended practices and report increased maize yields of 10.5%, primarily from using good practices and applying organic fertiliser.
Simple technologies improve food security
Hermetic bags are air- and waterproof. The bags improve the storage of grains by limiting mold, pests, and post-harvest loss. In a study, bags reduced post-harvest loss. In the end, the share of households who were severely food insecure dropped by 38% after the distribution of hermetic bags.
