Publications

Sustained impact is unlocked when we share data and insights across sectors. Root Capital publishes original research, impact studies, evaluations, and articles demonstrating how to effectively build rural prosperity.

Climate Resilience Roadmap 2022 Mid-Year Report

Climate change is an existential crisis for smallholder farmers across the world. But with the right support, these rural communities can be powerful champions of climate action. In 2020, Root Capital launched our Climate Resilience Roadmap, a six-year strategy to support urgent climate action in rural communities by building the resilience of agricultural enterprises serving smallholder farmers. Halfway through our strategy, we have made significant progress against our goals and generated valuable insights about how best to support small and growing agricultural enterprises to ramp up climate action.

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Inclusion Pays: The Returns On Investing In Women In Agriculture
by Root Capital

The business case for women’s leadership is clear. But little data exists on small and growing enterprises, especially in emerging economies. Even less data is available on the agricultural industry—a sector that 2.5 billion people globally depend on for their livelihoods, and one in which women receive only 7% of total investment.  Through an analysis of 10 years of Root Capital’s global data, Inclusion Pays: The Returns on Investing in Women in Agriculture sheds new light on the benefits—to women, businesses, and investors—of investing in women in agriculture.

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Women in Agriculture Initiative: 2021 Annual Report
by Root Capital

Over the past 10 years, Root Capital's Women in Agriculture Initiative has helped expand gender equity in hundreds of rural communities around the world. In 2021, we reached new heights alongside women farmers, agricultural employees, and entrepreneurs.

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How Impact-Linked Financing Incentivizes High-Impact Investment in Agricultural SMEs
by Katie Naeve

Over two years, the Social Impact Incentives (SIINC) project used impact-linked financing to extend $12M in credit to previously underbanked agricultural enterprises across Latin America. Learn more about the project's success and the implications this has for future impact-linked financing projects.

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Evaluating How Root Capital’s Client Businesses Impact Smallholder Livelihoods: Sorghum in Ghana
by Root Capital and Participatory Development Associates

This report analyzes the impact of Root Capital lending and advisory services on a sorghum aggregator in Ghana and the impact of that enterprise on its suppliers and local community. Read on for exciting findings about Root Capital's engagement with the business.

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Sorghum farmer tending to an open-air field filled with waist-high sorghum. The farmers' face is covered by a hat.
Evaluation of Root Capital’s Financial Literacy Training Program for Sorghum Farmers in Ghana
by Root Capital and Participatory Development Associates

In 2018, Root Capital launched a pilot program of a Farmer Financial Literacy training with sorghum farmers in Ghana and conducted a randomized control trial to evaluate its impacts. We present this report on the programs' findings and lessons learned for future interventions.

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A woman stands in a group holding a sack of sorghum. She's wearing bright colors and is smiling. The background has many sacks of sorghum.
Climate Resilience Roadmap 2021 Mid-Year Report
by Root Capital

In the first half of 2021, we expanded financing to climate action leaders; delivered tailored agronomic and climate resilience advisory services to enterprise staff; designed a new loan product to finance soil regeneration efforts; and so much more. Read about how we're advancing our Climate Resilience Roadmap in partnership with rural communities.

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Women in Agriculture Initiative 2021 Mid-year Update
by Root Capital

In the first half of 2021, Root Capital continued to invest in the success of women farmers, employees, and entrepreneurs through our Women in Agriculture Initiative. Our 2021 Mid-year Update provides an update on our progress this year, and our cumulative progress since the initiative's launch in 2012.

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A woman coffee farmer in bright clothes stands in a forest and smiles at the camera.
CONFLUENCE PHILANTHROPY — Generating Social and Environmental Impact in Latin America
by Katie Naeve

In the face of daunting challenges, local leaders in Latin America are innovating to meet these challenges with creative solutions. By investing in these solutions, we can build a greener, more inclusive future across the region and around the world. 

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