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.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s agrifood sector presents a rare combination of scale and untapped productivity gains. Around 70% of the region’s population works in agriculture and the sector contributes roughly 30% of GDP, yet yields remain low — cereal yields average only about 1–2 t/ha, roughly 60% below the global average. That gap is not inevitable: history shows other regions closed similar gaps through improved seeds, fertilizer, irrigation and mechanization. If deployed thoughtfully and adapted to local crops and conditions, those technologies can multiply yields, raise incomes and expand local food manufacturing.

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.

The agricultural technology community has reached a significant milestone that demonstrates the power of collective engagement. Our LinkedIn group dedicated to Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Agricultural Technologies has grown to encompass over 100,000 engaged members from around the world. This achievement represents more than just numbers; it signifies a global movement of professionals united by a shared vision of sustainable, innovative agriculture.