In most countries where WFP operates, 5-10% of local commodity purchases are reserved for smallholder origin. (Download) WFP prices tend to be significantly higher than what farmers receive at farm gate. Regrettably, most smallholder farmers are unable to meet commodity quality standards or sufficiently bulk their goods to make the sale economically viable for WFP.

Project Experience Link

As a Grants Manager with ACDI/VOCA, Mr. Murphy successfully implemented a bulk marketing program with smallholder farming groups to participate in this commodity purchase program. He also advised a team from WFP-Rome on ways to improve the current program to increase smallholder purchases.