Maximising the impact of outgrower schemes: Opportunities, challenges, and lessons from the AECF

This paper reviews the experience of outgrower projects funded by the AECF. Outgrower projects are a significant segment of the entire AECF portfolio, with 51 being funded across 14 different countries and a commitment totaling USD$33.4m. This paper addresses the following objectives:

•  Improving our understanding of how AECF-funded outgrower projects benefit (or fail to benefit) smallholder farmers.
• Identifying common characteristics of successful outgrower projects, including the most successful model type, from the perspective of both the smallholder and the company
• Diagnosing common challenges faced by outgrower projects and analyzing how AECF grantees have overcome these challenges.