THIS PROJECT AIMS TO REINTRODUCE strategic crops in semi-arid zones: yams, sorghum, finger millet and cowpeas. These crops have a high market and nutritional potential, but have been progressively lost and now germplasm is available primarily in genebanks. By reintroducing these crops in farmers’ fields, the project aims to benefit poor, food insecure small-scale farmers. Sensitization meetings have been organized in 14 project sites to achieve a common understanding and common goals among farmers, scientists, extension officers and governmental officials, one-third of whom are women. Farmers are experimenting with drought tolerant crops and varieties in order to cope with recurrent droughts and contribute to more efficient water management. In collaboration with all the key stakeholders, production demonstrations have been mounted in all project sites covering 2 crops per site. The demonstrations are being managed by local communities under the close supervision of local agricultural officers, and are acting as learning sites for the production of crops that are not commonly grown in the areas. The major aim of the demonstrations is to impart and share knowledge on cultivation and production practices of the target crops (Farmer Field School Concept).