The Pulse

In an effort to move our sector toward a systems approach, Inflection Point Pulse (The Pulse) is new a blog series jointly authored by the Initiative for Smallholder Finance (ISF) and Rural and Agricultural Finance Learning Lab (the Lab). The goal of this series is to track key developments in the sector and highlight research findings that can reshape the way we think and act.

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Digital Financial Services

Innovation

Evidence on Impact

Metrics

Understanding women’s rural transitions and service needs

Report: Key learnings from our Pathways to Prosperity gender deep dive.

The capital markets: An increasingly sophisticated market still grappling with the impact-return trade-off

Report: Major shifts and trends that have shaped the capital market for rural service provision since our 2016 Inflection Point report, ongoing challenges in the market, and a new pathways-based approach to segmenting capital need.

Rural finance providers: A new segmentation for an expanding market

Report: Major shifts and trends that have shaped the FSP market since the 'innovation inflection point', and a look into a new model for FSP segmentation.

Transition Pathways: A Dynamic View of How Rural Households Evolve

Analysis: A look into our new 'transition pathways' view of smallholder household segments.

Building multiple markets: The case for smart digital investments

Analysis: Opportunities and lessons learned from connecting financial services with technology solutions for smallholder farmers.

A global smallholder weather update: Shocks guaranteed, losses optional

Spotlight: A sector update on the state of smallholder agricultural insurance and the opportunities for elevating those solutions.

Skills for success: FSP perspectives on business development support for smallholder finance

Analysis: Key insights from a recent ISF survey on the growing ecosystem of Business Development Services (BDS) to help financial service providers (FSPs) better reach smallholders.

The business case of smallholder finance: Introducing the SDM Case Study Series

Analysis: Highlights from a guest blog by IDH and the Lab, focusing on our research on sustainable business models.

Grant me clarity: Understanding donor dynamics in grant-based subsidy

Analysis: Highlights from a review of the major donor agendas currently shaping the development of global smallholder finance via grant-based subsidy.

Show me the data: Using data to unlock access to finance for smallholders

Analysis: Explores the rising number of new databases emerging in smallholder finance and the opportunities for funders/donors, financial service providers, and researchers to engage.