As they struggle to make a living, farmers must contend with overused soil, small parcels of land, crop diseases, and unstable markets, which means that, despite their labour, millions of farmers still struggle to make a liveable wage.

 

HGSF programmes provide an opportunity for these farmers to benefit from access to a market with stable, structured, and predictable demand.  Different countries are using various models of engaging with smallholder farmers in HGSF programmes, and experience thus far has highlighted the opportunity for strengthening the local agriculture development aspects of home grown school feeding. 

 

This “supply” side is explored in more detail below, with key background documents provided in the policy and programme section.  Operational support features documents that are related to the agricultural elements of HGSF, as does the case studies and impact evaluations in the monitoring and evaluation section.  The advocacy section highlights resources particularly relevant to engagement with local smallholder farmers as the suppliers for HGSF programmes.