the CHALLENGE
Globally, about 84 percent of farms are operated by smallholders with less than two hectares of land.* Limited access to information and quality agricultural inputs such as improved seeds hinders smallholders’ production and income.**
the Opportunity
GP and its affiliated funds aim to increase the incomes and food security of smallholder households living in poverty by investing in partners that deliver affordable, high-impact inputs alongside technical assistance.
Who is Served
The target demographic is subsistence, smallholder farmer families that cultivate fewer than two hectares, and live on less than $3.20 PPP/person/day.
What is delivered
Producers must receive:
- Affordable, high-impact agriculture inputs; AND
- Crop and/or livestock specific TA services to understand how to properly use them
May also receive:
- TA that incorporates climate-resilient practices
- Focus inputs are improved seeds, fertilizers, and/or veterinary inputs (improved feeds, medicines and/or vaccinations)
- Focus on key staple crops and/or livestock raised by smallholder farmers. Includes subsistence crops (maize, roots, tubers, fruits and vegetables), dairy cattle, poultry, sheep, pigs and goats.
Why IT is impactful
Net incomes and food security of smallholder farmer households increase and/or stabilize due to:
- Higher and/or more stable crop yields;
- Improved long-lasting soil fertility;
- Decreased mortality and/or increased productivity of livestock;
- Improved farming and/or husbandry techniques; and/or
- Enhanced resilience to the effects of climate change.
* Sarah K. Lowder, Jakob Skoet, and Terri Raney, “The Number, Size, and Distribution of Farms, Smallholder Farms, and Family Farms Worldwide,” World Development, vol. 87 (November 2016): 16-29, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X15002703.
** “Seeding Success: Increasing Agricultural Technology Adoption through Information,” International Growth Centre, 2017, https://www.theigc.org/reader/seeding-success-increasing-agricultural-technology-adoption-information/risk-poor-quality-agricultural-inputs-poses-major-barrier-technology-adoption-input-quality-often-hard-farmers-detect/.