Value Chains Food Systems Economies

are incomplete without

The Missing Middle.

LET’S POWER THEIR GROWTH

#MissingMiddle

This World MSME Day, we are putting eyes on the

Missing Middle.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in agriculture are often called the ‘missing middle’ because they are underserved by institutions that can provide the necessary funds for their growth.

Let’s celebrate their power and the organizations that support them.

#MissingMiddle

Why the

Missing Middle.

matters

SMEs are the growth engines of today and tomorrow. In agriculture, they are responsible for producing, processing, transporting and distributing food the world over.

In global economies:

90%

of all firms

60%

of all jobs

In African agriculture:

80%

of food production and trade

50%

of all jobs

#MSME Voices

The power of the

Missing Middle.

MSME Voices
“Income from farming has helped me send my children to school. Right now, they are also helping grow the farm,” Evangeline Novela, Owner, Novela Farm
MSME Voices
“I had this idea that I wanted to make locally sourced, Jamaican ice cream, just a small operation. Now, here we are over 90 flavours later, a full-fledged business that can support our community,” Larry Gardiner, Founder, Baby Love CG Foods, Jamaica
MSME Voices
“I want to see Ghanaian hills drowning in coffee in the next ten years. We need to make coffee production profitable,” John Nana Addo Francois, Founder, Asili Coffee

#MSME Champions

Partners of the

Missing Middle.

MSME Champions

“Small businesses drive the global economy, including through key sectors like agriculture,” Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Center

MSME Champions

“Farming is a business – even smallholder farming. We need to invest in farmers and other rural entrepreneurs,” Dr. Alvaro Lario, President, International Fund for Agricultural Development

MSME Champions

“MSMEs are the heartbeat of African economies. They represent 95% of all firms and generate more than 80% of new jobs on the continent each year,” Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President, AGRA

#Dive Deeper

Learn more about the

Missing Middle.

Dive Deeper
The Role of Small and Medium Agrifood Enterprises in Food Systems Transformation
UN FAO
Dive Deeper
MSMEs and their role in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals
UN DESA
Dive Deeper
The State of Agri-SME Sector: Bridging the finance gap
CASA | USAID | UKaid

Join The Movement

Show your support for the

Missing Middle.

#MissingMiddle

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About

‘Missing middle’ is a campaign co-organized by over 20 institutions operating in the agricultural finance sector, and coordinated by the Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network (SAFIN). On the occasion of the International Day for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) on 27 June, this campaign aims to enrich public understanding of the indispensable role of agricultural MSMEs in feeding people on our warming planet.

#MissingMiddle

#WorldMSMEDay