Smallholder farmers & SME’s

The majority of the world’s farming is small-scale agriculture. According to the FAO, there are an estimated 600 million smallholder farmers around the world – constituting a significant portion of the agricultural labour force, especially in developing countries. The development of smallholder farming is pivotal, not only because it produces a substantial proportion of the world’s food supply, but also because it sustains rural economies and contributes to national food security. Despite their crucial role, smallholder farmers and small-scale operators often face extreme adversity. They are frequently located in developing regions, face limited opportunities for commercialisation or growth, and suffer from poor infrastructure, limited access to markets, credit, and modern technologies. Furthermore, they are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, market fluctuations, and regulatory reforms.