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.
Kosona Chriv - 18 November 2025
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