At a glance
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Photo: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps
It is estimated that 900 million rural people in the developing world live on less than $1 a day. The most recent estimates from UN-FAO find that 1 billion people worldwide are undernourished. While this level of poverty and food insecurity is severe, the agricultural sector offers an effective leverage point to alleviate this suffering: The world’s 450 million small farms – two hectares or less – are home to about two billion people, comprising roughly 46% of the global workforce. In the countries where Mercy Corps works, agriculture accounts for 30% of the GDP on average and is the lead means of food security and income for 57% of the population. Improving yields and diversifying production leads to higher incomes and improved food security. Research shows that a 1% increase in yields can decrease the percentage of the population living on $1 a day by 0.91%. Hence, agriculture as a livelihood for a large demographic group around the world and a primary means for food security, offers a direct avenue for meaningful reductions in global hunger and poverty.
In recognition that access to and availability of adequate food production and economic opportunities is integral to the success of relief and development programming, Mercy Corps currently operates upwards of 70 agricultural development projects in over 25 countries worth approximately £60 million. These projects specifically work with farmers, agri-business, and local governments to decrease hunger, increase incomes and improve environmental sustainability.
To learn how we help people leverage the benefits of agricultural development, take a look at the following information:
September 15, 2009 9:35AM
Agricultural Development Sector Approach
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This document is a comprehensive explanation of Mercy Corps' technical approach to this sector. It describes how, where and why the sector does its works. It gives the reader an in-depth view of why the sector is important to international relief and development while also providing a practical framework and theoretical approach to programme development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. This document is appropriate for a reader who wants a highly technical explanation of the sector with a page count of 5 or more.
June 17, 2011 1:06PM
Agricultural Development Learning Study
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Nearly half of the world’s workforce relies on growing food for their livelihoods . That equals two billion people in the developing world – 400 million smallholder farmers and their families – who are dependent on agriculture. Smallholder farmers grow crops and raise livestock to contribute directly to household food security, and to sell their products in the marketplace earning the income they need to provide for their families.
Despite the important of small-scale agriculture, smallholder farmers remain some of the poorest people in the world. Most live on less than $2 a day. Farmers must contend with poor infrastructure, unfavorable governance, limited access to business services, and a range of daunting laws, regulations and standards. These tough challenges limit their ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, resulting in limited opportunities to raise themselves out of poverty.
July 19, 2010 11:00PM
Agricultural Development Summary
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Nearly half of the world’s workforce relies on growing food for their livelihoods. That equals two billion people in the developing world — 400 million small-holder farmers and their families.
September 15, 2009 9:52AM
Agricultural Development Sector Overview
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This document is a shorter and more simplified version of the Sector Approach. It gives an overview to the sector and why it is important to international relief and development work. It also explains how Mercy Corps structures and implements its sector programs. This document is appropriate for a reader who wants a medium level of technicality and a page count of 4 or below.
September 15, 2009 9:44AM
Agricultural Development Sector Update Fiscal Year 2009
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This document offers a snapshot of the sector’s programming strategy, progress and future outlook current for the Fiscal Year 2009 (July 2008 to June 2009). It explains the strategic standing of the agency within the industry and global sector contexts, while using program highlights, successes, impact data and future program potential as evidence. This document is appropriate for a reader who is familiar with Mercy Corps’s sector approach and wants an up-to-date picture of the agency's accomplishments and current operations in this sector.
