Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and small-scale producers form the backbone of food systems in most countries and can play a pivotal role in the improvement of nutrition and the achievement of healthy diets for all. However, they face critical finance, policy and capacity development challenges in making their business more nutrition-sensitive.

In response to these challenges, FAO is working to leverage the potential of local small-scale producers and MSMEs as a key to reducing hunger and malnutrition, and improving livelihoods among the poorest and most vulnerable.

• Video: Agrifood SMEs - The business case for nutrition

• E-learning series on SMEs and nutrition:
  • Small and medium enterprises and nutrition - making the business case (available in English and Spanish)
  • Small and medium enterprises and nutrition - upgrading business models (available in English and Spanish)

• Discussion paper: Small and medium enterprises and nutrition: understanding linkages, seizing opportunities

• Report: Business profiling and nutrition assessment of agrifood small and medium-sized enterprises and enterprise support organizations

• Report: Business profiling and nutrition assessment of agrifood small and medium-sized enterprises in Ethiopia, Malawi and Mali

• Project flyer (GCP/GLO/489/IRE): Boosting the capacities of small scale producers and SMEs for the nutrition of the most vulnerable

• Guidance: Improving diets in rural Ghana. Food systems analysis to identify opportunities for nutrition-sensitive small and medium enterprises

• Assessment: Approaches for the leveraging of SMEs to improve nutrition. A net-map assessment of actors and activities in Ghana

• Policy briefs: Leveraging small and medium-sized enterprises for nutrition-sensitive food systems in Ghana, Kenya and Vietnam

• Report: Leveraging small and medium enterprises to improve nutrition

• Capacity development and technical support for small-scale producers and SMEs within the project “Protecting the diets of the most vulnerable people as part of COVID-19 response and recovery programme” (GCP/GLO/489/IRE)

• Capacity development and technical support for SMEs within the project “Strengthening capacities for nutrition-sensitive food systems through a multistakeholder approach” (GCP/GLO/712/JPN)