Smallholder farmers, those with often less than 2 hectares, dominate food production in developing countries. Farms under 5 ha in Asia, Africa and Latin America account for over half of global output of staples like maize, rice, millet and wheat. Small farms also tend to use more labor and devote most land to food crops, making them highly productive per hectare. As Zero Carbon Analytics summarizes: “Farms of less than five hectares in developing countries account for more than half of global production of nine staple crops” including maize, rice and sorghum. Embedding these farmers in modern value chains is therefore critical for food security and rural incomes.

Small farmers and small processors lose a large share of potential income because of familiar, fixable problems: poor roads and transport, lack of storage, information gaps, weak bargaining power, and costly buyer requirements. Breaking Barriers pulls together proven, on-the-ground examples and practical steps that real producer groups and companies have used to change that — from Ghana’s cooperatives that co-own brands, to India’s village kiosks, Kenya’s aggregation networks, solar cold rooms in Nigeria, and franchise-style agribusiness and insurance models in Africa and Latin America.

Agriculture remains the economic cornerstone for millions in developing nations, yet smallholder farmers grapple with challenges like limited technological access, climate volatility, and market exclusion. Amid these hurdles, innovative partnerships between governments, research institutions, NGOs, and the private sector are driving transformative change. By analyzing success stories from Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond, this paper distills actionable models that blend cutting-edge research with collaborative frameworks to enhance productivity, sustainability, and equity. In an era of climate crises and population growth, scaling such partnerships is not merely beneficial, it is imperative.

This article synthesizes actionable strategies for agribusinesses and cooperatives, drawing on successful case studies from Chile, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and others. By integrating lessons on technology adoption, value chain collaboration, and market readiness, firms can overcome barriers and capitalize on global demand.