As programs to support sustainable supply chains grow, and creative new partnerships proliferate, it is critical to understand which of these programs are having a meaningful impact on the incomes and lives of smallholder farmers. This session will share approaches that have been used to understand the impacts on farmers of agricultural initiatives and partnerships, as well as insights from those working closely with farmers. Acumen’s Lean Data approach will be discussed as well as measurement strategies employed by leading industry players, with specific examples including a case study of Ethiochicken, the largest poultry producer in Ethiopia and a leader in enhancing rural livelihoods and nutrition. We will focus on how impact measurement and data collection can support corporate supply chain concerns, as well as how incorporating user feedback and the farmer voice is key to serving smallholder farmers and their families.

To increase farmer productivity and profitability, products and services designed to serve smallholder farmers are badly needed. This session shares examples of corporate/social enterprises partnerships and direct engagement between social enterprises and farmers to deliver financing, data, market linkages, logistics and transparency. Though still in the early stages, many of these enterprises can help close the market gaps faced by farmers and set them on a path to realize sustained increases in income.

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the lifeblood of many communities and a critical source of employment and livelihoods. Larger companies rely on the effective operation and success of MSMEs in their value chains as suppliers, distributors, retailers and customers. Yet, many MSMEs struggle to survive on a daily basis. These businesses face multiple challenges and the solutions often lie beyond what a large corporate partner is capable of implementing on its own. As a result, a growing number of large companies are recognizing that support for small enterprises can be best delivered through a collaborative, joint approach between government, business and development partners to strengthen the underlying system within which MSMEs operate. This session will look at the ways large companies can enhance the effectiveness of the support they provide MSMEs by taking a more holistic, ecosystem-strengthening approach.​​

As programs to support sustainable supply chains grow, and creative new partnerships proliferate, it is critical to understand which of these programs are having a meaningful impact on the incomes and lives of smallholder farmers. This session will share approaches that have been used to understand the impacts on farmers of agricultural initiatives and partnerships, as well as insights from those working closely with farmers. Acumen’s Lean Data approach will be discussed as well as measurement strategies employed by leading industry players, with specific examples including a case study of Ethiochicken, the largest poultry producer in Ethiopia and a leader in enhancing rural livelihoods and nutrition. We will focus on how impact measurement and data collection can support corporate supply chain concerns, as well as how incorporating user feedback and the farmer voice is key to serving smallholder farmers and their families.

As programs to support sustainable supply chains grow, and creative new partnerships proliferate, it is critical to understand which of these programs are having a meaningful impact on the incomes and lives of smallholder farmers. This session will share approaches that have been used to understand the impacts on farmers of agricultural initiatives and partnerships, as well as insights from those working closely with farmers. Acumen’s Lean Data approach will be discussed as well as measurement strategies employed by leading industry players, with specific examples including a case study of Ethiochicken, the largest poultry producer in Ethiopia and a leader in enhancing rural livelihoods and nutrition. We will focus on how impact measurement and data collection can support corporate supply chain concerns, as well as how incorporating user feedback and the farmer voice is key to serving smallholder farmers and their families.