Self Help Africa Inc

Target demographics: women, and business owners, and the environment

Geographic areas served: 17 countries in Africa, Bangladesh, and Brazil

Programs: Self Help Africa's mission is to empower rural Africa to achieve economic independence. On a continent where up to 75% of the people rely on small-scale agriculture for their survival, Self-Help Africa, inc. Believes that it is only by tackling the challenges faced by rural farming communities can real and sustained economic progress be made across sub-Saharan Africa. For over a quarter-century, Self Help Africa has sought to strengthen agricultural systems; improve access to services and inputs; and provide rural African communities with the opportunities to market and sell their produce. Self Help Africa works with local staff and partners in nine countries to support communities to grow more food; diversify their farm production; develop new off-farm enterprises; and sell their farm surpluses. It supports rural micro-finance programs; assists producers to organize into farmers' associations and co-operatives; and enables farm families to access markets and add value to their produce. Additionally, it promotes low-cost sustainable solutions to the management of natural resources; supports community adaption to a changing climate; and provides resources to communities to meet the challenges of gender inequality. Self Help Africa is also committed to advocating in support of the interests of African smallholder farmers, urging a long-term commitment to aid and investment, to ensure the sustainable development of agriculture and food production in sub-Saharan Africa. This advocacy involves giving voice to smallholder farmers at national, regional, and international levels, seeking to ensure that the unique position of smallholders in African agriculture is understood and that it is used to power economic growth in Africa.