How can governments create, incentivize, and regulate space for the private sector in agricultural finance? It’s not one-size-fits-all: Various countries have approached this challenge in different ways. By looking at different cases, we can uncover trends that might point governments in the right direction.
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03 Sep 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic reaches increasingly remote communities, urgent action is needed. By leveraging assets already present in last-mile communities, we can save lives and preserve livelihoods. Willy Foote and Dr. Raj Panjabi of Last Mile Health explain how in their recent op-ed.
20 Jul 2020
We found this dashboard created by 60 Decibels (funded by DFID’s Research and Evidence Division) to be a useful resource in understanding the lived experience of Kenyan farmers through the pandemic. Here’s a summary of what they are learning:
- The data was collected from a representative sample of 500 Kenyan crop and livestock farmers in June. All respondents planted less than 3 acres last year and 66% planted less than 1.2 acres last year. 50% of the respondents were women.
- 87% of farmers say that their financial situation has worsened due to the pandemic. Over 50% have had to take a significant step like selling an asset (13%) or borrowing money (39%) to cope with the pandemic.
- 25% of farmers have at least one less source of income compared to same time last year. Only 10% of farmers currently have income from a non-farm income source compared to 26% at this same time last year.
- Farming has become more important as a source of food as well: 61% report increased importance. This is likely a respite given a similar proportion speak of increased food prices.
- But farmers are having to make several adjustments to the way they farm to cope with COVID-19. In the last two weeks, over 90...
