Transforming lives and systems

Together, we’re building resilient futures for farmers. Our solutions turn insight into action—helping farmers adapt, grow, and thrive in a changing world. Join us in reshaping agriculture for lasting sustainability.

Small Farms, Big Futures

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Transforming lives and systems

FIPS Africa drives transformation across Sub-Saharan Africa by changing how farmers engage with markets, technologies, and the systems that shape their opportunities. Our approach combines community presence, evidence-based innovation, and strategic partnerships to drive scalable, sustainable change.

At the farm level, smallholders and young agri-entrepreneurs gain access to practical, affordable technologies that enhance productivity and build resilient livelihoods. Through our Village-based Advisors and Farm business agents, farmers receive hands-on support to test innovations, adopt improved practices, and unlock new market opportunities.

At the system level, FIPS collaborates with governments, market actors, research institutions, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to strengthen value chains, expand market access, and improve the incentives and relationships that drive agricultural transformation. These coordinated efforts create conditions where partnerships can thrive and deliver measurable impact.

FIPS Theory of Change

FIPS uses a tree as a metaphor for its theory of change. FIPS' goal is to support the evolution of a functional food system that enables smallholder farmers and other food system actors to thrive and build up their resilience to climate and market shocks, or changes in their circumstances. [Download our Theory of Change]

FIPS’ theory of change is grounded in four principles: include, co-create, innovate, and adapt.

Out of this grow six approaches FIPS takes:

  • Identify and address systemic constraints and opportunities: FIPS does not apply a one-size-fits-all model. In each location, the team assesses market access and agro-ecological conditions and uses market systems facilitation to address constraints. This may include training, short-term incentives to de-risk innovation, and engagement with government.
  • Research, innovation and communication: FIPS combines farmer knowledge with horizon scanning for research and innovations that can support small-scale producers. It focuses on frugal innovations that are low-cost and low-risk. Communication is delivered through VBAs and increasingly through digital channels.
  • Pilot agribusiness models with youth, VBAs and market actors: New models are tested to establish proof of concept before scaling.
  • Scale VBA and youth approaches: There is strong demand for approaches that improve the profitability and efficiency of small-scale producers, with knock-on effects for food and nutritional security.
  • Scale and diversify international work: FIPS now works through strategic partnerships across Sub-Saharan Africa, collaborating with private sector, NGO, and government actors.
  • Engage governments: FIPS shares evidence, trains staff and advocates for pro-smallholder policies to ensure systemic, long-term change.

FIPS Works at Three Levels

Knowledge level

All FIPS work is based on evidence and rigorous testing.

  • Practical adoptable innovations validated.
  • FIPS Intellectual Property commercialised: Concepts such as the Village-based Advisor model are treated as public goods. Productivity-enhancing technologies (e.g. WonderGro) are commercialised, with profits reinvested into work with smallholders.
  • Evidence produced and popularised: Research findings are written up to demonstrate efficacy to governments and partners. Alongside journal papers, accessible communication products are shared via VBAs, social media and SMS.

What is the impact of the knowledge level changes?

  • Changes are visible at the farmer and system levels (see below).

Farmer level

3.3 million farmers scale up FIPS-inspired technologies that diversify farms, increase incomes, and reduce risk; awareness reaches over 5 million across Sub-Saharan Africa.

VBAs embedded with food system actors, partnering with input suppliers, service providers, and off-takers to improve market access. Through training and certification, VBAs complement government extension systems.

What is the impact of the farmer-level changes?

  • Incentives increase and risks reduce for farmers investing in improved technologies.
  • Production of staple and high-value foods rises, enabling greater income.
  • Technologies enhance resilience to shocks.

What does this look like?

  • Food-secure farmers, supported by improved varieties and post-harvest management.
  • Increased and more resilient incomes, particularly for youth and women, through diversified surplus production.
  • Village-based Advisors earn income by providing valued services that increase productivity and reduce drudgery.

System level

  • FIPS-inspired curricula digitised and adopted by partners in further and higher education colleges.
  • Agribusiness models demonstrated advice remains free, while value-added services such as aggregation and order collation create commercial pathways.
  • Appropriate finance packagesdesigned and piloted with providers ranging from micro-credit to commercial banks.
  • Government action enables food systems: FIPS provides evidence on frugal technologies and promotes transparent data sharing to inform policy.
  • FIPS as a partner of choice for youth, extension, and research – values and impact attract partnerships that strengthen support to producers and market actors.

What is the impact of the system-level changes?

  • Incentives increase and risks reduce for market actors to invest in extension, inputs, aggregation, and finance due to:
  • Increased availability of produce
  • Demonstrated business opportunities
  • Supportive government policy and investment
  • Organisations and governments adopt VBA, Youth, and Research approaches after receiving evidence, training, and coaching.

What does this look like?

  • Food system actors equitably deliver extension, inputs, aggregation, and finance.
  • Finance providers support youth agribusiness growth.
  • Increased availability of staple and high-value produce, improving food and nutritional security.
  • Youth contribute at scale to the economy and food system.
  • Frugal innovations roll out first, with demand growing over time for broader technologies suited to small-scale producers.
Why FIPS exists
Transforming lives and systems
Success measures
Looking back
Looking ahead
Our team