Entrepreneurship and Business Development, Agriculture Value Chain

Generally, the humanitarian sector has focused on improving agricultural productivity while neglecting to address how the increased yield can be converted into assets. Worldwide, the resilience of agri-food systems depends on the human ability to balance socio-economic and ecological trade-offs. Yet little effort to date has focused on how smallholders’ participation in partnership with suppliers and/or procurers could help agri-food systems resilience outcomes. To address this gap, Food for the Hungry’s asset creation pathway suggests plausible links among value chain partnerships, smallholder farmer entrepreneurship, and agri-food systems resilience outcomes, which would include stabilizing rural livelihoods, supporting ecological services, and enhancing socio-cultural services.

Food for the Hungry’s livelihood programs have focused on building the capabilities required for people to earn money and secure a means of living. The Food Security programs focused on increasing families’ production, diversifying incomes, and saving for the future to ensure their children are well-nourished, thrive, and reach their full potential. Last year, 7,369 Food for the Hungry-established saving groups created assets worth over $14 million USD, providing income and food security for families and communities.