Rural economic development plays a crucial role in reducing poverty in many countries. Most small hold farmers in developing countries live in remote areas, have limited access to equipment, advice and information, and so cannot compete commercially with large companies. Climate change and market fluctuations also make them vulnerable.
Our activities enable small hold farmers and livestock keepers, as well as local processors (such as mills or dairies), to benefit more fully from the rising demand for their products.
Our approach
Our strength and experience lies in developing agricultural value chains and looking at the risks for small hold farmers. Our advisors work with farmers’ organisations and local businesses, particularly in remote areas. They help them to identify new opportunities and markets, ensure basic conditions and pass on appropriate knowledge and experience. They improve farmers’ own opportunities and income by, for example:
- bringing together farmer and businesses with others involved in the value chain to share knowledge and experience and explore market opportunities
- providing training and services to help improve the quality of their produce
- helping them to acquire finances
- planning strategies to guarantee basic conditions such as equipment, education and information, and food access.
These interventions give farmers and local businesses the practical knowledge and skills necessary to improve livelihoods in rural areas. This approach benefits not only individual producers but whole communities, by, for example, creating jobs.
Our partnerships
We do not work alone to achieve these goals. Besides local organisations, our partners include:
Agriterra
Agri-ProFocus
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Royal Tropical Institute
International Institute for Environment and Development
FAO
IFAD