Today’s agricultural markets involve a wide range of actors operating at local, regional, and global levels. The chance to link to these markets successfully offers smallholder and other producers the opportunity to increase and diversify their incomes. Yet, navigating the complex requirements to access these dynamic markets can be difficult when smallholder producers lack access to inputs and services, as well as information about market standards and preferences.

In response, new analytical tools and approaches are being developed to help small producers adapt to and compete in these changing market systems. These focus on improving smallholder farmers’ access to market information, business development services, and inputs; increasing the availability of tailored financial services; and reforming the business enabling environment.

The Feed the Future Innovation Labs for Collaborative Research work to strengthen smallholder farmers’ position in the value chain by working directly with them and other actors in the chain. The BASIS AMA Innovation Lab focuses on improving rural farmers’ livelihoods and food security by broadening their access to markets, financial services and alternative income opportunities, specialized in linking poor rural farmers with risk reducing services like credit, savings, and insurance. Horticulture Innovation Lab is diversifying the incomes of rural men and women farmers in Zambia through the production of high value vegetables, while enhancing their business skills and capacity to commercialize these products. Working in Central America and West Africa INTSORMIL developed pearl millet varieties that better meet consumer preferences. Peanut CRSP was also assessing product quality and consumer preferences to stimulate new market demand for peanut products in East and West Africa. The AquaFish and Pulse CRSPs developed market information systems using mobile technology to link farmers and traders. The Livestock-Climate Change Innovation Lab is assessing how mobile herders in Ethiopia and Kenya access market chains in remote areas and how weather-related risks affect their access to these markets.