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Unlocking rural finance for inclusive agrifood systems

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 2p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Synopsis (short abstract) The provision of financial services to rural smallholder households, including savings, credit, insurance and payments, remains among the most difficult challenges in finance and development. Despite progress in the extension of these services to rural areas, rural finance ecosystems in low- and middle-income countries remain fragmented due to high transaction costs associated with the uneven and disperse distribution of populations, inadequate infrastructures and unexpected threats to agricultural productivity. As a result, small-scale actors and most marginalized groups – such as women and youth – remain largely excluded from access to finance and investment. Developing and scaling up inclusive financial solutions is key to improve the livelihoods and resilience of the most vulnerable people, reduce inequalities and poverty, end food insecurity and malnutrition, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources in order to build sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems that leave no one behind.

Language English

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