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.

Root Capital’s COVID-19 Response: Six Month Report
by Root Capital
In this report, we summarize Root Capital's activities from March to August 2020 related to COVID-19 response. With our community's support, we have built immediate and long-term resilience for agricultural businesses and rural communities around the world.

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FORBES — Nobel Peace Prize Underscores The Need For Sustainable Market Solutions To Global Hunger
by Willy Foote

It will take a concerted push by governments, investors, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, and more to build a thriving, resilient smallholder agricultural market. But this effort is critical.

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Impacts of COVID-19 on Agricultural Businesses in Africa, Latin America, and Indonesia: Summary of Second Survey Results and Root Capital’s Response
by Root Capital

In this report, we summarize the results of our second COVID-19 client survey and detail the ongoing activities of Root Capital’s COVID-19 response.

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THOMSON REUTERS FOUNDATION NEWS — Fighting COVID-19 Where It Matters Most: Rural Communities
by Willy Foote and Raj Punjabi

We’ve learned over decades of experience that farming communities have resources and infrastructure ready to be mobilized in times of crisis. By leveraging these resources, we can preserve both lives and livelihoods in vulnerable rural areas.

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2019 Annual Report
by Root Capital

The 2019 annual report focuses on the different pathways to resilience for the agricultural enterprises we work with and their communities. We envision a better future. A future where a thriving agricultural sector—fueled by tens of thousands of well supported local enterprises—enables rural communities around the world to become more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient.

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2019 Annual Report
Impacts of COVID-19 on Agricultural Businesses in Africa, Latin America, and Indonesia: Summary of Survey Results and Root Capital’s Response
by Root Capital

In this report, we present a high-level summary of the survey results, as well as an update on activities implemented and/or planned as part of Root Capital’s ongoing COVID-19 response.

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Evaluating How Root Capital’s Client Businesses Impact Smallholder Livelihoods: Cocoa Cooperatives in Peru
by Katie Naeve and Isabel DoCampo

This study assesses the impact of Root Capital-financed businesses in the Peruvian cocoa sector on farmer livelihoods and gender inclusion using a retrospective comparison group matching technique.

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STANFORD SOCIAL INNOVATION REVIEW — How Investors Can Integrate Social Impact With Financial Performance to Improve Both
by Root Capital and the Impact Frontiers Collaboration

Root Capital is a member of the Impact Frontiers Collaboration, which developed four steps to help investors integrate impact with financial analysis in their decision-making. It could change the way investors around the world allocate capital to achieve financial, social, and environmental goals. This article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review shows how.

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Women in Agriculture Initiative: 2019 Annual Report
by Root Capital

At Root Capital, we believe that agricultural enterprises are one of the most effective platforms for delivering services and opportunities to rural women. This report highlights our impact in 2019, during which we reached a record number of women farmers, increased the proportion of women in our training workshops, and helped rural businesses strengthen gender equity.

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