Transforming small farms into engines of prosperity and resilience through locally embedded, commercially viable enterprises.
Enterprise development is central to FIPS’ mission. We transform small farms into engines of prosperity and resilience by catalysing inclusive rural enterprises that bring services closer to farmers, strengthen market participation, and generate sustainable livelihoods.
By partnering with local entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and private sector actors, FIPS reduces risk for market participants while ensuring smallholder farmers benefit equitably. These enterprises are commercially viable, locally embedded, and designed to catalyse replication and investment over time.
FIPS supports the development of last-mile agro-dealers as a critical link between smallholder farmers and high-quality agricultural inputs and services. We partner with agro-dealers to:
By connecting agro-dealers with our VBA and FBA networks, we ensure farmers receive both inputs and the knowledge to use them effectively. Strengthening agro-dealers as permanent market actors, FIPS enables sustainable access to inputs long after project funding ends.
FIPS has pioneered a model that combines community trust with market sustainability. At the core is a network of Village-based Advisors (VBAs)- local entrepreneurs selected by their communities to deliver last-mile extension and first-mile market access.
As markets mature, FIPS supports the transition to Farm Business Agents (FBAs). These are permanent rural enterprises designed to:
This progression creates a sustainable extension ecosystem where advisory services, enterprise growth, and market access reinforce one another, reducing long-term subsidy dependence while reaching even the most remote farmers.
Learn more about the value chains we support, where FIPS works, our impact, case studies, and publications.
Improving soil health and resilience through:
Distribution of high-yield, resilient staple seeds:
Quality seedlings, nutrition, and management:
Maximizing yield and market profitability:
Boosting dairy productivity through:
Advancing chicken health and productivity:
FIPS Market Systems Facilitation established a viable commercial ecosystem for lime distribution.
FIPS addressed this through facilitative market engagement:
Agrodealers, stocking lime increased from 3 to 45 businesses in two years.
Lime sales grew from 69 tonnes (2022) to 534 tonnes (2025):
Your participation makes a real difference. Help smallholder farmers gain access to essential resources and knowledge for sustainable practices. Together, let’s build a thriving agricultural community!