FIPS provides practical advice to farmers and strengthens the enabling environment so small-scale farmers and agri-businesses across Africa can thrive.
Africa’s 33 million smallholder farmers feed families, power local economies, and hold the key to national food security. Yet too many remain underserved, achieving only a fraction of their potential as climate shocks intensify and food import bills rise. Hunger, poverty, and youth underemployment persist alongside fertile land and untapped opportunity.
FIPS exists so that Small Farmers can have Big Futures all across Africa. By connecting farmers with timely information, practical technologies, and viable markets, FIPS turns agricultural potential into sustainable growth.
Food import bills are rising, climate pressures are intensifying, and smallholder farmers face growing challenges in sustainable livelihoods. They need practical, scalable solutions that strengthen resilience, expand local market access and unlock livelihoods. For over 20 years, FIPS has shown that small farms can have big futures when the systems around them work. Our mission is to give Small Farms Big Futures.
FIPS believes that smallholder farmers can drive national food security, rural prosperity, and climate resilience when the right systems are in place. By partnering with farmers, governments, development organisations, and the private sector, FIPS identifies and removes the barriers that stand in the way of sustainable agricultural transformation.
Gaps in access to trusted advice, quality seed, appropriate technologies, and reliable markets continue to constrain productivity. High input costs, weak extension systems, and fragmented market linkages prevent many farmers from moving beyond subsistence and earning a sustainable rural living wage.
Declining soil health and increasing soil acidity continue to undermine yields over time. Systemic approaches such as soil testing, micro-dosing lime, composting, and cost-effective soil conditioners are critical to restoring productivity and sustaining agricultural systems.
Africa’s 420 million young people represent a significant opportunity for growth, yet many face structural barriers including limited access to skills development, land, and start-up capital. With the right market connections and support systems, youth-led agri-enterprises can become drivers of rural transformation and economic development.
Unpredictable weather, pests, soil acidity, and rising temperatures disproportionately affect smallholder farmers. Scaling access to affordable, climate-smart technologies and practices is essential to strengthen resilience, protect food security, and reduce exposure to climate shocks.
Fragmented and inefficient market systems
Even when farmers increase production, weak coordination across value chains–such as unreliable buyers, long distances to agro-dealers, limited value addition, and uneven regulatory environments keep incomes low and raises risks for both farmers and agri-businesses to grow.
Women play a central role in food production yet often face constraints in accessing inputs, finance, and extension services, while carrying disproportionate labour burdens. Marginalised communities are often excluded from innovation. FIPS Africa’s whole-village approach helps ensure that inclusion is embedded across interventions and market systems.
Through targeted advisory services, access to quality inputs, and strengthened market linkages, FIPS Africa has supported thousands of smallholder farmers. These efforts have helped improve crop yields, increase incomes, and provide sustainable access to the resources farmers need to grow and thrive.