Program Model
We use markets to eradicate hunger permanently. One Acre Fund is concentrated on one-acre subsistence farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa – one of the largest groups of "forgotten poor" in the world. We provide a complete, functioning market system – making it possible for even the poorest and most rural farmer to generate more income, and permanently solve their own hunger problem.
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The first component of the "market bundle" is to empower local groups of farmers. We find existing self-help groups (mostly made of women farmers). Bringing farmers together makes it possible for them to economically interact with markets. |
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The second piece of the "market bundle" is farm education, provided by our field officer. We take the latest practices from top academic agronomists, and translate that into simple, easy-to-understand lessons. |
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The third piece of the "market bundle" is capital, environmentally-sensitive planting materials and fertilizer. Our planting materials are a significant improvement on old food kernels currently used for seed – commercial seed is professionally graded, stored, and selected. Our fertilizer provides badly-needed nutrients to soil that has been stripped bare over decades of poor management. |
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The fourth component of the "market bundle" is connection with harvest markets. We act as a bulk-selling agent, allowing our members to access much higher prices. This cash creates a savings-and-investment cycle that leads to self-driven, permanent growth out of hunger. |
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The final component of the "market bundle" is crop insurance. It is estimated that only 0.3% of Africa’s poor are insured in any way. One Acre Fund has pioneered a crop insurance product that pays farmers in the event of a significant drought or disease. |
One Acre Fund's market bundle provides a whole solution to poverty, for farmers starting from nothing. We open opportunity to an entirely new class of subsistence farmer that has been left behind.
© 2010 One Acre Fund