Transforming small farms into engines of prosperity and resilience through locally embedded, commercially viable enterprises.
Enterprise development is central to FIPS’ mission of transforming small farms into engines of prosperity and resilience. FIPS catalyses inclusive rural enterprises that bring services closer to farmers, strengthen market participation, and create sustainable livelihoods.
By working with local entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and private sector partners, FIPS reduces risk for market actors 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 agrodealers as a critical link between farmers and quality agricultural inputs and services. FIPS supports agrodealers to:
Agrodealers work closely with VBAs and FBAs, ensuring farmers receive both inputs and the knowledge to use them effectively. By strengthening agrodealers as permanent market actors, FIPS enables sustainable access to inputs long after project funding ends.
FIPS has pioneered an enterprise-led extension model that combines community trust with market sustainability. At the core is a network of Village-Based Advisors (VBAs). VBAs are 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):
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 where FIPS works, the value chains we support, 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 poultry health and productivity:
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!