Beyond Aid:
Why getting trade right for small scale producers matters for global goals
The giants of global trade
It’s time the global trading system recognised and respected their contribution.
-
of all jobs, worldwide, are small producers, businesses or farmers.
-
Up to two thirds of the world’s food is grown by smallholder farmers, defined as having less than two hectares of land.
-
of businesses and enterprises in the world are small in scale.
Three recommendations
Shift power to producers
Trade rules and global supply chains disadvantage small-scale producers.
We must shift the power towards them and make sure they have a voice in in trade, climate and agricultural governance structures - while introducing regulation on big business.
2. Address informality
An informal economy is one with heightened risk for those at the bottom.
If trade is going to work for small-scale producers, they must be able to access rights to social protection irrespective of their registration status, as well as being supported to formalise their businesses.
3. Support women, everywhere
All this change must be responsive to women’s specific experiences as small-scale producers.
There must be support for women-led enterprises, cooperatives and other producer organisations.
Read the report
Read our Beyond Aid blog series here:
