Smallholder Ecosystems
Smallholders are key in feeding the world’s growing population, but environmental challenges and pressures are increasing. By 2050, there will be close to 10 billion mouths to feed, while globally 33% of agricultural land is seriously or moderately degraded.
Smallholders will be key to feed the world
To feed a growing world population by 2050 most of the increase in food production needs to be produced by the current smallholder farmers in emerging markets.
As a result of this also F&A clients of Rabobank increasingly ask for products and services for their smallholder supply chains.
That’s why smallholder farmers were identified as a special client group to be covered through different departments and teams across the bank. A dedicated smallholder ecosystems team was created within Rabo Partnerships to oversee and align these initiatives internally and externally and act as a centre of expertise and network hub.
Accelerating innovative services
New, digital tools and services provide access to finance and knowledge, which means farmers can increase their productivity and improve their income. This is necessary in order to meet the needs of the present without compromising the wellbeing of future generations.
Enabling local partners with digitisation and business model innovation are key features of Rabobanks smallholder initiatives. Data plays a critical role to combine products and services and cover the many needs of smallholder farmers, ranging from access to finance, markets and farm inputs. By improving productivity and income
Since no party is able to deal with these challenges by itself, close cooperation between private and public sector is needed. With its knowledge and network as a global F&A bank Rabobank plays a pivotal role.
“Right now is the moment for cooperation. The biggest food & agri companies and financial institutions are all facing similar challenges reaching smallholders. Digital solutions are the tool of choice that can bridge the gap in the last mile delivery.”
Towards a joint proposition
start smallholder strategy (Smallholder Ecosystems)
smallholder initiatives within Rabobank : 8 x financial products, 2 x digital platforms /tools, 3 x supply chain coordination / advisory and 2 x smallholder data analytic capabilities
25 mln farmers reached with 2 or more Rabobank products and capabilities