Building Biodiversity: Why Smallholder Farmers Hold the Key to a Healthier Planet
This year’s International Day for Biological Diversity calls for Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development, a theme that has long shaped the work of The Haller Foundation. In a world facing severe biodiversity loss, this call is more urgent than ever.
In 2025, biodiversity continues to decline at an alarming rate. Globally, one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction. In East Africa, deforestation, land degradation, and the intensification of agriculture are placing unprecedented pressure on delicate ecosystems. Kenya, one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa, is now facing the loss of pollinators, native vegetation, and aquatic biodiversity all directly threatening food production, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
From the fish that provide 20% of animal protein to three billion people, to the 80% of the world’s food that comes from plants, and the 80% of rural communities in developing countries that depend on traditional plant-based medicine—our global food and health systems are deeply reliant on biodiversity.
When biodiversity declines, so do these life-sustaining systems. This year’s theme reminds us that development without ecological balance isn’t just unsustainable, it’s dangerous.
Haller’s Biodiversity Ethos
For two decades, Haller has championed an approach where regeneration of nature goes hand in hand with community prosperity. From reviving degraded land to introducing diverse crop cultivation and protecting endangered species, biodiversity has been baked into every layer of our methodology.
We centre smallholder farmers because they manage up to 80% of agricultural land in Sub-Saharan Africa and feed over 70% of the population.
Their land practices determine the health of local ecosystems. With the right tools, training, and support, smallholder farmers can be powerful custodians of biodiversity by planting mixed crops, preserving native species, protecting soil health, and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs.
Our work aligns perfectly with UN SDG Goal 15, which focuses on protecting life on land. Like us, this goal emphasises the importance of restoring ecosystems, managing natural resources sustainably, and stopping biodiversity loss. We don’t treat biodiversity as a separate programme. It’s woven into every lesson plan, every farming demonstration, and every youth activity.
Where Young Minds Meet Biodiversity
At a recent Open Day at Mtopanga Demonstration Farm, we hosted 1,298 attendees from 18 schools for a full day of hands-on environmental education. Students and teachers engaged in composting, tree nursery practice, kitchen gardens, and pest management.
Each of these modules, while practical in isolation, forms a web of biodiversity support:
Composting returns nutrients to the soil, encouraging microbial and insect life.
Tree nurseries promote reforestation and carbon capture.
Mixed gardens encourage crop rotation, pollinator visits, and natural pest control.
Organic pest control avoids the use of synthetic chemicals, protecting soil and water ecosystems.
(Clicking any of those topics links will take you directly to the lessons in the Haller Farmers App! Download free now to learn more.)
This kind of holistic learning prepares the next generation of farmers and environmental leaders to see nature as an interconnected system, not a series of parts. It's not just about conservation; it's about creating a harmonious relationship between communities and their environment for future generations.
How You Can Support Biodiversity
Tech might not be the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about biodiversity but it’s playing a growing role. The Haller Farmers App offers free and offline-accessible, provides step-by-step guidance on sustainable agriculture, organic composting, water conservation, and even medicinal plants, including Artemisia annua and afra. Our partnership with La Maison d’Artemisia ensures these tools are available in French, English, and Swahili, bringing life-saving knowledge to farmers across the continent. Whether it’s protecting pollinators through beekeeping modules, encouraging tree planting, or sharing indigenous vegetable cultivation techniques, the app helps embed biodiversity into everyday practice.
We believe in making biodiversity everyone’s business. Whether you're a donor, a teacher, a farmer, or just passionate about sustainability, here’s how you can support this work:
Donate to support conservation-focused education and training
Download the Haller Farmers App and share it with your community
Visit Nguuni and witness our integrated agroforestry and ecosystem restoration efforts (and share your visit!)
Partner with us to expand this work to new regions and audiences
Together, we can create food diverse ecosystems that are not only sustainable but thriving.