Cashew Plant

The opportunity

Not all crops are created equal for smallholder farmers

Certain crops with high market value—like coffee, cashews, and others—can bring especially large increases to smallholder farmers’ incomes. When farmers can improve the quality and yields of these high-value crops, the impact can be transformative.

One of the best ways to help coffee farmers increase their incomes is to promote value chain improvements that enable farmers to earn a larger share of export prices. TechnoServe’s unique approach can also address the problem of shrinking farms, by helping farmers fund education that enables their children to attain livelihoods off the farm if desired. This can help coffee farms grow in acreage and profits in the future.

As for the cashew industry, TechnoServe works to increase production and quality around the world: developing cashew processing activities that improve efficiency and throughput, and building capacity for regulatory bodies to enhance the business ecosystem.

Flag Important Information

See the impact

The rewards are plentiful

Our celebrity spokesperson would like to tell you about a very special cashew farmer named Carlos.

The TechnoServe Touch

A large effort for smallholder farmers

TechnoServe helps smallholder farmers improve the quality and quantity of their crops, access crucial finance and supplies, sell to better buyers, such as food and beverage companies, and secure partnerships with buyers that pay higher prices. With access to these resources and connections, farmers can earn greater incomes and develop a reliable long-term market. 

To achieve these goals, TechnoServe works to strengthen market systems that have clear opportunities for smallholder farmers. That’s why we look for markets with the potential for both inclusive growth and scale. The most valuable market opportunities we can create are those that benefit people like producers, entrepreneurs, employees, consumers, and families who are living in poverty. This approach has enabled our work to improve the lives and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers and their families.

Man Carrying Harvest on His Back

By the numbers

In 2023, our work enabled 543,410 smallholder farmers around the world—35% of whom were women—to increase their incomes.

In their words

Much of our focus is on agriculture because that’s still how the majority of the world’s poor earn a living.

William Warshauer, TechnoServe CEO

Sign up for news & events

We will respect your privacy

N/A