Across Sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder farmers produce the majority of food consumed on the continent. They are the backbone of rural economies, the stewards of land, and often the first line of defense against hunger. And yet, they remain some of the least supported economic actors—underserved by markets, banks, and governments alike.
Enter One Acre Fund, an agricultural social enterprise that has quietly built one of the most effective, data-driven rural support systems in Africa. Founded in 2006, the organization now reaches more than 4 million farmers across nine countries, helping them grow more, earn more, and build more resilient livelihoods.
Its model is both simple and radical: treat smallholder farmers like customers—not beneficiaries.
Name: One Acre Fund
Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Kigali, Rwanda
Countries of Operation: Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria
Farmers Reached: 4+ million
Model: Input financing + last-mile distribution + training + market access
Core Services: Seeds, fertilizer, training, digital tools, crop insurance
Funding: Mix of philanthropic capital, earned revenue, and impact investment
What sets One Acre Fund apart is its private-sector discipline paired with social-sector mission. Its model delivers everything a farmer needs in a single, bundled service: high-quality inputs, financing, training, and post-harvest support—delivered through a dense network of local field agents.
Inputs are delivered directly to rural villages. Farmers receive regular in-person training on soil management, spacing, composting, and storage. Mobile money integration allows for flexible repayments, reducing risk for both the farmer and the organization.
This full-stack model flips the narrative: farmers are no longer passive recipients of aid, but active partners in a scalable agricultural enterprise.
Productivity That Pays
Most smallholder farmers work on less than two acres of land. Without proper inputs and training, their yields remain stubbornly low—often a fraction of what’s possible. One Acre Fund helps them triple or quadruple their output, particularly in staple crops like maize, beans, and potatoes.
This increased productivity translates directly into income. In 2023, the average One Acre Fund farmer earned $120 more per year—a substantial boost in rural East Africa. For many households, this means paying school fees, upgrading homes, or reinvesting in farming tools.
And because most of the farmers served are women, the gains ripple across entire communities.
Going Beyond the Farm
In recent years, One Acre Fund has expanded its offering beyond seeds and fertilizer to address the broader vulnerabilities of smallholder life.
New initiatives include:
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Reforestation programs: farmers plant income-generating trees on their land
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Crop insurance: helping protect against weather shocks and market fluctuations
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Clean energy tools: solar lanterns, cookstoves, and phone chargers
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Digital extension services: app-based training for remote regions
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Climate-smart agriculture: drought-resistant crops and regenerative practices
This shift reflects a growing recognition: that agricultural support must evolve from productivity-focused to resilience-focused, especially in the face of climate volatility.
Scale Without Compromise
With over 9,000 full-time staff and a track record of serving millions at scale, One Acre Fund is one of the most operationally complex nonprofit organizations on the continent. But it remains fiercely committed to data-driven iteration.
Each season, randomized control trials, field performance metrics, and farmer feedback are used to improve delivery. Innovations are tested in pilot areas, scaled only when proven. This disciplined, adaptive approach ensures that growth doesn’t dilute impact.
Despite its scale, One Acre Fund still operates with hyper-local sensitivity, tailoring programs by crop, soil type, and region.
What the Sector Can Learn
One Acre Fund’s experience offers critical lessons for governments, NGOs, and private agribusinesses working with smallholder farmers:
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Last-mile delivery matters. Rural supply chains need more than warehouses—they need field agents, trust, and tailored logistics.
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Treat farmers as customers. Dignity, consistency, and follow-through go further than free inputs.
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Data builds discipline. Continuous improvement, not expansion for its own sake, is what drives long-term impact.
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Small landholders are scalable. When supported properly, even a one-acre plot can become a productive asset.
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Agriculture is the entry point to development. From nutrition to education to climate resilience, the farm is the first frontier.
The Road Ahead
As climate change accelerates and food security becomes more fragile, the need for models like One Acre Fund has never been greater. The organization is now investing in carbon farming pilots, regional seed systems, and public sector partnerships to help shape policy across the continent.
But its core philosophy remains unchanged: build services around farmers’ real needs—then scale what works.
One Acre Fund is not just improving agricultural productivity. It is redefining what it means to serve rural Africa with scale, dignity, and results.
About the Author
Aurel Kinimbaga is a finance executive and contributor specializing in innovation, inclusive growth, and business strategy across African markets. He writes regularly on entrepreneurship, digital infrastructure, and the economic forces shaping the continent’s future.
