Unlocking Millions of Euros in Investments for Smallholder Farmers in Developing Countries

Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein continue their joint SSNUP programme which has attracted 188 million euros of private sector investments to date.

Key messages:

• The Luxembourgish, Swiss and Liechtenstein development cooperation agencies are collaborating with the Luxembourgish NGO ADA and a group of impact investors under the Smallholder SustaiNability Upscaling Programme (SSNUP) in support of smallholder farmers in developing countries.
• From 2020 to 2025, the programme attracted 188 million euros in private impact investments in support of around 1 million farmers in 34 countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa. 
• As it enters its next implementation phase through 2029, SSNUP will focus on agroecological practices, nutrition and fairness to make food systems more equitable and smallholder farmers more resilient, while contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger by 2030.

Worldwide, the livelihoods of 475 million households depend on small-scale farming. Supporting these smallholder farmers can not only address the root causes of poverty but also strengthens economies and promotes environmental conservation and resilience against climate change. 

Smallholder farmers typically access markets through farmer organisations, financial institutions and agricultural enterprises like buyers, collectors, processors and exporters. However, insufficient investment in essential infrastructure – such as irrigation systems, storage facilities and transportation networks – limits the potential to increase food production and leaves farmers vulnerable to climate and other risks.

Three governments join forces to strengthen the agricultural sectors in developing countries

The development cooperation agencies of Luxembourg, Switzerland and Liechtenstein teamed up with the Luxembourgish NGO ADA and a group of impact investors under the Smallholder SustaiNability Upscaling Programme (SSNUP) to close this substantial funding gap.

Launched in 2020, SSNUP strengthens the resilience of smallholder farmers in Africa, Latin America and Asia by combining development aid with private impact investments. It improves food security, boosts incomes and supports local processing, thereby stimulating rural economies and fostering broader socio-economic development.

The three agencies’ financial support lowers the threshold for private impact funds to invest in agricultural SMEs, cooperatives and financial service providers through financial, technical and organisational support. The approach mobilised 188 million euros in private funding between 2020 and 2025, benefiting around 1 million farmers in 34 countries, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Through the SSNUP programme, Luxembourg has reaffirmed its belief that sustainable development requires private sector mobilisation. By acting as a catalyst for impact investment, we have helped direct over EUR 100 million in capital toward strengthening the resilience and incomes of smallholder farmers. Encouraged by the initial results, we are committed to a second phase to scale up and deepen this impact where it is most needed.”
-    Xavier Bettel, Luxembourgish Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs

Programme enters second implementation phase 

SSNUP is currently entering its second implementation phase, which will run until 2029. It targets the following topics:

• Promoting environmentally sustainable farming such as agroecological practices which favour crop diversification and the use of local seeds 
• Improving the nutrition and overall food security of smallholder farmers 
• Addressing gender inequalities 
• Developing fair agrifood systems.

“By focusing on these key topics, we hope to promote a successful transition to agroecological production systems on a larger scale, driven and supported by the private sector and its corresponding investments. This focus will ensure the biggest possible impact in terms of food security and nutrition and contribute to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal to end hunger by 2030.” 
- Andreas Sicks, Liechtenstein Development Service CEO