Unlocking the potential of small-scale agriculture
Across much of Africa and South Asia, climate change has worsened the risk of drought and unpredictable weather, increasing barriers for small-scale farmers to achieve a better future through agriculture. Facing these risks, farmers hold back from investing their scarce resources into improved practices or more productive crop varieties because they can’t risk losing everything.
At the same time, when financial or agronomic tools reduce losses or provide support when times are bad, farmers often make those investments, and they reap the rewards at harvest. These two together—resilience to shocks and investments that drive higher productivity—are the foundation of Resilience+.
The Resilience+ Innovation Facility at UC Davis designs and implements targeted, large-scale projects that will spark Resilience+. These market-focused efforts are driven by partnerships with in-country private-sector companies to ensure success is lasting.
Project: Transforming Tenancy Arrangements in Ethiopia
Sharecropping offers advantages to farmers: they need not make upfront payment for land rental at the beginning of the season and they share the risk of crop failure with the landlord. However, sharecropping presents farmers with reduced incentive to invest in their crops, reducing agricultural productivity below its potential. This RIF project offers financial tools to help farmers transition to and thrive in fixed rent arrangements—boosting their productivity and income while managing their risk.
Case Study: Rice Farming in Bangladesh
Flood is a constant threat in many parts of Bangladesh where people’s livelihoods depend on a good rice crop. Flood disasters drive rural poverty by forcing families to safeguard themselves at a high cost and increasing the risk of making investments that could produce higher yields.
Case Study: Maize Farming in Mozambique and Tanzania
Small-scale maize farmers in East Africa face a high risk of drought that destroys their crops and livelihoods. Mozambique faces a risk of both severe drought and extreme weather that causes widespread flooding. Tanzania faces a high risk of drought that destroys crops and forces small-scale farmers to forego investments in higher productivity.