SECTOR OVERVIEW

Agriculture is the main source of income for three-quarters of the world’s poorest people.
(Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)

Some of the main challenges currently facing these farmers are:
- Inadequate tools and inputs for producing high-quality crops;
- Market access: large businesses find it easier and cheaper to source from several large producers rather than various smaller-scale farmers. Farmers lose a large percentage of potential income by relying on middlemen and other actors to sell their products;
- Insufficient information about commodity pricing- enables middlemen to take a large share of the profits- and other relevant information such as agricultural best practices and weather forecasts.

Social enterprises in agriculture are helping small farmers by:
-Designing tools and outputs to improve production capabilities;
-Facilitating more direct and efficient distribution channels;
-Increasing access to information about pricing, best practices, weather and more.

Social Enterprises by Sub-Sector

Suggest A Social Enterprise

Online Resources

Investors and Enablers

Gates Foundation Agricultural Development Fact Sheet

Lists of Resources

GIIN Resources- Sustainable Agriculture- List of resources about agriculture in regards to impact investing

Next Billion Agriculture Resources- Resources on agriculture from Nextbillion.net

Case Studies