Length : 7 Weeks

Program Date : September, 27 2021

Structure :

  • Introduction to the current state of the challenge in supporting small farmers and issues involved in financing them
  • Mechanisms to finance small farmers and help them manage risks
  • Innovations in financing small farmers

Price: $525

Group rates available. Contact : iixinstitute@iixglobal.com for more info.

Overview

According to a World Bank 2016 estimate, 65% of poor working adults made a living through agriculture.
Growth in the agriculture sector is hence considered to be two to four times more effective in raising incomes among the poorest compared to other sectors. Equally important is the fact that small farms (consisting of less than two hectares) account for five out of every six farms in the world and operate 12 percent of all agricultural land and produce roughly 35 percent of the world’s food, according to a study published in World Development in 2021. Ensuring adequate support for small farmers is therefore critical not just to address poverty but also for food security. The latter is especially important at a time when multiple shocks – from COVID-19 related disruptions to extreme weather, pests and conflicts – are impacting food systems and causing food prices to rise. To meet the challenges involved in achieving SDG 2 and 12, it is imperative to scale up investments in small farmers and improve their livelihoods. This calls for leveraging existing financing mechanisms and for developing new ones.  This self-guided course uncovers how sustainable finance can help do so.

Course Objective

To understand how small farmers’ livelihoods (as part of small-medium agricultural enterprises) can be improved through sustainable finance. This will be a self-guided course with readings and videos.

Assesment

The quiz at the end of the course will cover all three parts including required reading and case studies but will not include the optional readings. Please note that you are strongly encouraged to do all the required readings to get the most out of the course.

Instructors

Professor Durreen Shahnaz

CEO and Founder, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)

Durreen Shahnaz is a global leader of social impact and impact investing. Born in Bangladesh, Durreen has built an international track record as a social entrepreneur, banker, media executive and academic at institutions, including Morgan Stanley (New York), Grameen Bank (Bangladesh), Hearst Magazines International (New York) and the National University of Singapore.

She is the recipient of 2017 Oslo Business for Peace Award, often referred to as the ‘Nobel Prize for Business’, amongst numerous other awards.

Professor Robert Kraybill

CIO and Managing Director, Impact Investment Exchange (IIX)

Prof. Robert Kraybill has over 20 years in the traditional capital markets as an advisor and investor, where he was previous head of Asian private equity for Marathon Asset Management and ex-head of investment banking, Asia ex-Japan, for Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein. Kraybill began his career at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse.

Prof. Kraybill leads all of IIX’s portfolio management activities, notably the launch of IIX’s first Women’s Livelihood Bond™ and is leading the team developing the $150 million Women’s Livelihood Bond™ Series and the Women’s Catalyst Fund™. He is also a member of the Innovation Working Group of the Task Force on Justice and Navigating Impact Investment Project.

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