From subsistence to successful businesses
This Report (PDF) by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agriculture and Food for Development (APPG) give recommendations on how to support and scale up smallholder agribusiness development in sub-Saharan Africa. This report represents a summary of the wide variety of case studies, evidence and learning presented to the APPG. The APPG supports the argument that smallholder agriculture offers new opportunities for growth and economic transformation. Improving agricultural performance and linking farmers to markets is the most powerful tool to end global poverty and hunger and boost shared prosperity. Recognising this untapped potential, the APPG conducted a series of evidence sessions, bringing together experts and practitioners in the field from smallholder entrepreneurs. The authors conclude with some recommendations, for example: public sector investment and government support to create an enabling environment for small agri-enterprise, including market-oriented farmers to flourish is key. Public sector investment should focus on infrastructure, advisory services and research. Also Governments, donors, CSOs and large-scale agri-business all have a critical role, both in helping farmers to access essential services and inputs, but also to help coordinate various market players. To achieve this partnership between these different stakeholders is essential. Enabling the development of small-scale agri-enterprise is a long-term venture and will only be realised in an inclusive way if women, who represent 70% of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, are specifically targeted.