Increased investment in the food and agriculture sector is central to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including the goals on gender equality, reduced inequalities and climate action. 

Yet IIED research shows that contracts and contracting processes used by companies operating in the food and agriculture sector in low- and middle-income countries can adversely impact the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers. 

For development finance institutions and impact investors, contracts and contracting processes represent an opportunity to contribute to a just transition and corporate sustainability by considering investee business activities along supply chains from a social and environmental perspective.