Introducing: Smallholder Ecosystems

How do we achieve our shared ambition of sustainably feeding a growing population? This was one of the questions posed during the World Economic Forum in early 2020, where leaders from different sectors came together with a shared conviction that the world’s 500+ million smallholder farmers are crucial in the required increase in food production to feed the world population by 2050.

For Rabobank, this means potential business and impact opportunity for financial inclusion, rural development and food security. This idea was made a reality in December 2020, when the Smallholder Ecosystems initiative was approved with the support of the Rabobank Managing Board.

The Smallholder Ecosystems initiative was officially launched as a part of Rabo Partnerships in March 2021, as a follow-up project from the World Economic Forum. The Smallholder Ecosystem initiative has a particular focus on smallholder farmers.

As a topic owner for Rabobank, the Smallholder Ecosystems team will keep the overview of all smallholder related activities and identify missing elements. The ultimate aim is to develop a digital, scalable and profitable Rabobank proposition towards F&A clients and (smallholder) farmers in emerging markets. It includes existing and new initiatives and capabilities to strengthen and complement each other.

The team will be a central point of contact for Rabobank colleagues and key external stakeholders and will act as knowledge hub on digital smallholder applications, data and platforms. Collaboration with other departments in the bank and with various RP departments such as Advisory, Blended Finance and AgriXchange is key.

Rabo Partnerships together with the Smallholder Ecosystems’ team looks forward towards Growing a Better World Together one step at a time.