The first event in the 2013 Event Series will focus on bridging the financing gap in agricultural value chains.  Convened by Business Fights Poverty, the Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) and Citi, the event brings together a panel of industry experts to explore the potential of large company ‘outgrower schemes’ as a platform to strengthen smallholder agri financing models.

Speakers:

• Bob Annibale, Global Director of Microfinance, Citi
• Willy Foote, Founder and CEO, Root Capital
• Dougie Brew, Corporate Affairs Director, Unilever Africa

A key underlying barrier to smallholder farmers looking to supply the agricultural value chains of large companies is the availability of affordable finance to secure quality inputs, to improve availability of storage and transportation infrastructure and increase productivity.

A recent study by Dalberg, on behalf of Citi Foundation and Skoll Foundation, with advisory input from ANDE, Technoserve and Root Capital, titled “Catalysing Smallholder Agricultural Finance” estimates that the current estimated global demand for small holder finance is $450 billion, which is largely unmet.

The study focuses on the potential catalytic role of social lenders in driving finance in to untapped markets, and identifies five growth pathways to deploy investments. One pathway explores the financing of out-grower schemes of multinational buyers in captive value chains, and the potential for multinational buyers to work with lenders to facilitate financing using purchase contracts as collateral, or to use their relationships with farmers to help originate loans and assess risk.

The event will provide a business perspective on the challenges and opportunities for increasing access to finance for smallholder farmers, and the scope for businesses supporting smallholders.

The event will be followed by a reception.