The Missing Middle Of Agriculture

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

World Bank

In African agriculture:

80%

of food production and trade

50%

of all jobs

AGRA, Aceli

#MSME Voices

The power of the

Missing Middle.

MSME Voices

“We are here to help each other, but especially to help dairy women in this male-dominated industry,” Joy Jillian Joseph, Managing Director, African Joy, Tanzania

MSME Voices

“We want to feed Senegal and Africa our healthy snack products that are locally made and the result of direct relationships with Senegalese producers and intermediaries,” Hermione Awounou, Co-Founder, ACASEN, Senegal

MSME Voices

“I never expected to cultivate a five-acre farm on my own, but the loan has made it possible. I am planning to expand my production in the future,” Abdulai Yakubu, Farmer and Micro-Enterprise Owner, Ghana

#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

Our Latest

Social Updates

Implemented by Palladium, USAID CATALYZE has helped unlock the power of agriculture #MSMEs. Since 2014, Palladium has mobilized $1.1 billion in private capital for agri-SMEs…

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