The majority of the population living in Asia (particularly the disadvantaged) live in rural areas and work in agriculture. Within agriculture there is a huge opportunity to increase production, income and employment possibilities for poor farmers through value chain development of selected cash crops. The most promising commodities value chains for SNV support in 2008/2009 are tea, spices and fruit and vegetables.

SNV has considerable existing experience in the development of agricultural value chains, business development services, strengthening the enabling environment, agricultural extension, microfinance and certification relevant to the sector. In addition, national development strategies prioritise smallholder agricultural development. Among donors there is an increasing interest in value chain approaches and opportunities exist for fund raising with ADB, IFAD, WFP as well as Dutch co-financing organisations and US foundations. 

In terms of innovation, SNV will investigate the feasibility of biofuels as a smallholder cash crop that can generate increased incomes for poor farmers as well as offering bio-mass to convert to biogas in the renewable energy sector.