This article argues that there is a gap in current Mexican rural development policy that could be filled by a smallholder-targeted programme. The gap exists because agricultural programmes tend to benefit better-off farmers, while social programmes tend to focus on long-term investment in human capital, specifically for the children of today's poor. Drawing on lessons from PROCAMPO and Oportunidades, it offers a specific design for such a programme at a time when the government is considering how to reform PROCAMPO, given that, after 15 years, it is due to come to an end.