Together with Swisscontact, NIRAS implemented Component A of FCDO’s Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) programme, which aimed to increase smallholder participation in commercial agriculture by strengthening agri-SMEs, market systems, and investment readiness. Using a market systems development approach, CASA addressed constraints in seven agricultural value chains and supported agri-enterprises and smallholder farmers to become more commercially viable, climate-resilient, and inclusive.
CASA increased economic opportunities for smallholders by demonstrating the commercial viability of SME agribusinesses with significant smallholder supply chains; attracting investment intoagro-processing, supply chains, business development and contract farming; deepening the smallholder impact of DFI and impact-investor investments; enabling poorer farmers to access commercial markets; and generating evidence on effective smallholder-linked agribusiness models.
As lead contractor, NIRAS managed Components A and C, designing targeted interventions to expand smallholder market access, increase investment in agribusinesses, and support more enabling regulatory environments. The programme generated learning from Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal, and Rwanda, producing evidence to inform investors and stimulate greater investment in smallholder agriculture.
- Supported 27 agri-SMEs and other organisations.
- Reached 86,222 smallholders, 49% of whom were women.
- Leveraged £1,125,113 in investment.
- Generated £76.29 in average annual additional smallholder income.
- Supported 37 agri-SMEs and other organisations.
- Reached 156,203 smallholders, 62% of whom were women.
- Generated £53.58 in average annual additional smallholder income.
- Focused on aquaculture, poultry, and vegetable value chains, closing in November 2025.
- Supported 12 agri-SMEs and other organisations.
- Reached 36,926 smallholders, 45% of whom were women.
- Generated £114.20 in average annual additional smallholder income.
- Supported 97 entities, including agri-SMEs, producer organisations, financial institutions, and agri-tech information suppliers, leveraging more than £15.1 million in investment.
- Created 64 agribusiness partnerships.
- Reached more than 436,643 smallholders, 52% of whom were women.
- Achieved an 89% average income uplift.
- Supported 293,694 smallholders to increase productivity, sales, or incomes, or adopt techniques that improve resilience to climate change.
