The Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness (CASA) programme, a key part (Component A & C) of which is led by NIRAS in partnership with CABI and Swisscontact, will see at least £4 million of additional investment mobilised into six agricultural market systems and the growth of SME agribusinesses resulting in at least 3,000 jobs in the three countries – Uganda, Malawi and Nepal.

A second component of CASA – Component B – is being led by the international non-profit TechnoServe that will manage a five-year, £8 million initiative to increase technical assistance delivered by investors to agribusinesses that source from smallholder farmers in the developing world.

At least half of those to benefit from Component A of the programme will be women farmers and at least 30 percent of whom are living on under $2 a day. It is expected that those participating will see their incomes increased by up to £80 a year as well as positive changes in nutrition, climate resilience, with women being empowered at business, and household level.