Tribute to the smallholder

Smallholder farmers. A term that we use a lot in our sector. 600 million worldwide. There to feed the majority of the global population and therefore responsible for its survival. Paradoxically, they most likely are not really interested in feeding the world. Nor reducing carbon emissions. Nor making impact on their communities, nor the environment. No, they are people like you and me. People that are making ends meet and care for their inner circle. To provide food, water, shelter and safety to their families. Not a deliberate choice, but a coincidence brought them to this usually abysmal situation in the agricultural space (or consequence of a previous life or destiny, so you will).

Smallholder farmers. Farmers that, in our lexicon, have landholdings of less than around 1 hectare or 2 acres. To the best of their abilities they try to earn the highest possible income from their land holdings through sowing seeds, nurture the crop, harvest it, and then sell the produce at the price that the market is willing to offer them. It is plain simple math. But different from most other sectors, smallholders farmers lack access to so many things. Be it knowledge, market linkages, high quality inputs, equipment, labour, sufficient land or finance. There is always a variety of these variables missing. And then there is the ever present uncertainty about weather conditions, government interventions or illnesses in the family. This makes that the majority of smallholder farmers worldwide live below or around the poverty line. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be dealing with this dreadful situation every day and the mental burden it must bring to them and their families.

Smallholder farmers. Enduring so many setbacks, challenges and hardships. Not because of our impact. Not because they want to feed the world. Not because they want to reduce carbon emissions. Just because they want to take care of their loved ones. Let us be mindful of where we put our money. The most important part is to stand with the smallholder farmers. Understand their needs. And address these needs to the best of our abilities with the funds we have at our disposal. Because by taking care of their loved ones, smallholder farmers take care of us ánd of their environment and their communities.

Smallholder farmers. What a heroes…?