When agricultural enterprises have access to the credit and capacity building they need to grow, they generate benefits for their communities. Our work spans four impact pathways that are vital for rural resilience:
How We Measure Our Impact
We carry out extensive social and environmental due diligence for every business we finance to ensure that not only are they not harming human or environmental health—they’re actively driving positive impact in their communities.
To ensure we’re helping our clients build critical skills and knowledge, we closely monitor and assess our advisory services. We also conduct deep-dive impact studies of our clients to understand their influence on farmer income, gender equity, environmental conservation, and more. Our in-house impact measurement and management team partners with external experts to conduct these studies, which we share with our partners in rural communities and in the broader sector.
Learn moreLatest Impact Findings
Recent impact studies have found that our model is delivering real results for businesses and families in rural communities. For example:
39%
more income for farmers
Farmers at a Root Capital-financed enterprise in Ghana earned 39% more income from their crops than farmers not affiliated with the business.
3.6x
more access to training
In Peru, women cocoa farmers working with a Root Capital client were 3.6x more likely to receive technical assistance than women farmers in the control group.
85%
improved farming practices
After a digital-focused pilot in Rwanda, 85% of farmers increased their application of sustainable agricultural practices that help them boost their yields.
2x
increase in knowledge
After a targeted Root Capital intervention in Mexico, women farmers’ knowledge of climate-smart agricultural practices
increased more than twofold.
39%
more income for farmers
Farmers at a Root Capital-financed enterprise in Ghana earned 39% more income from their crops than farmers not affiliated with the business.
3.6x
more access to training
In Peru, women cocoa farmers working with a Root Capital client were 3.6x more likely to receive technical assistance than women farmers in the control group.
85%
improved farming practices
After a digital-focused pilot in Rwanda, 85% of farmers increased their application of sustainable agricultural practices that help them boost their yields.
2x
increase in knowledge
After a targeted Root Capital intervention in Mexico, women farmers’ knowledge of climate-smart agricultural practices
increased more than twofold.
ACCESS TO FINANCE
768
Lending clients reached
93%
Root Capital loans commercial lenders would not have made
$1.85B
Cumulative Total Disbursements
34%
Borrowers without access to finance, beyond Root Capital, access commercial financing in 2.3 years (on average)
$61M
Average portfolio balance
75%
Clients with improved business management performance
1,812
Advisory clients reached
25%
Average Year-on-Year Client Growth
31,805
Training days delivered
2.3M
Farmers and employees reached
CLIMATE ACTION
114
Climate action leaders receiving Root Capital loans this year
$98.8M
Climate finance flowing to vulnerable communities this year
116
Businesses receiving Agronomic and Climate Resilience Advisory
32
Clients with new/improved climate action plans or programs
473K
Farmers and employees reached by Climate Finance or Advisory
2.7M
Hectares sustainably managed
GENDER EQUITY
300
Gender-inclusive (G-I) or Women-led (W-L) clients receiving Root Capital loans
10
Clients with new/improved gender inclusion policies or programs
$92.3M
Disbursements to G-I and W-L clients this year
128
Additional jobs for women supported by Root Capital
1,641
Women who received advisory training
(Since 2021)
21
Increased decision-making roles held by women
49
Businesses that received gender equity advisory
581K
Women farmers reached
NEXT GENERATION JOBS
2,083
Youth who received advisory training
(Since 2021)
TBD
Clients employing more youth as a % of staff
60
Talent Partnerships launched
TBD
% youth trained occupying more senior (leadership) positions management performance
3
Youth activities funded
TBD
% youth trained reporting increased skills & ability to succeed