Improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods for a sustainable future

Smallholder farmers are the backbone of global food production. They produce up to one-third of the world’s food, yet many face significant barriers to growing their businesses sustainably. Limited access to finance, knowledge, technology, and stable markets prevents them from earning a fair income and building resilience in the face of climate change.

Investing in a better future

At Rabo Foundation, we believe that investing in smallholder farmers is investing in a better future for all. That’s why we strengthen the organizations farmers rely on—from agricultural cooperatives and sustainable agribusinesses to inclusive financial institutions and innovative agri-fintechs. By providing finance, knowledge, and networks, we enable these organizations to expand their reach and improve services—so smallholders can increase productivity, raise incomes, and farm more sustainably. The impact extends beyond better livelihoods for smallholder farmers, contributing to resilient food systems capable of feeding a growing population, ensuring long-term prosperity, food security, and opportunity for generations to come.

The organizations we support

To truly improve farmers’ livelihoods, we focus on the organizations that are closest to them and understand their needs. By strengthening these organizations, we enable millions of farmers build resilience for the future.

Sustainable agricultural enterprises

Cooperatives, producer organizations, and agricultural SMEs that provide smallholder farmers with market access, fair pricing, and aggregation services, providing them with the needed resources to improve yields sustainably and increase incomes.

Inclusive financial service providers

Savings and credit cooperatives, microfinance institutions, and other rural financial service providers that offer affordable loans, savings and other services to smallholder farmers enabling them to invest in their farms and increase liquidity for immediate needs.

Agri-fintech innovators

Digital innovators bringing smallholder farmers into financial and market ecosystems through tools such as digital credit scoring, traceability, mobile payments, and climate-smart advisory services.

The tools we offer to drive change

To ensure organizations can deliver the positive change they aim for, we provide a tailored mix of financial and non-financial services. Our approach strengthens business fundamentals, improves impact outcomes, and positions organizations for long-term, sustainable growth.

Rabo Foundation offers a range of financing instruments—in euros, US dollars, or local currency—typically from EUR 200,000 to EUR 1,000,000, depending on an organization’s needs and maturity.

Examples includes:

Loans to sustainable agricultural enterprises for working capital and long-term investments, and to financial service providers to expand credit for smallholder farmers.

Trade finance that enable agricultural enterprises to buy from farmers, manage seasonal peaks, and deliver to buyers on time. Supporting reliable market access and stronger value chains.

In addition to loans, we provide guarantees to unlock additional capital and reduce risk for co-financiers or local banks.

Beyond financing, we share sector expertise and mobilize specialists to deliver technical assistance (TA) and capacity-building support. This work strengthens business models, improves impact performance, and reinforces resilient operations.

Technical assistance (often provided as a grant) is rarely offered in isolation; it is most often combined with a financial facility to ensure integrated support and sustainable results.

Discover our services

Drive positive social, economic and environmental change

With the right support, farmer-focused organizations can drive positive social and environmental change: more sustainable farming practices, more equitable opportunities for women and youth, greater resilience, and better incomes. Our work focuses on four key drivers essential to improving smallholder farmers’ livelihoods, today and for the long term.

Smallholder farmers and their families in a field

Global stories of change

From access to finance to stronger value chains, our work creates change where it matters most. Explore how Rabo Foundation’s global activities improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in practice.