The Productive Partnership Support Program promotes the establishment of productive partnerships between organized small farmers and the private commercial sector, with the support of different stakeholders (public entities, NGOs and other members of the production chain). Partnerships are to develop business activities in which all partners invest, share the risk and benefit. This scheme seeks to generate income, create employment and promote social cohesion of poor rural communities in an economic, social and environmentally sustainable manner. The program has contributed to (i) promoting rural development by strengthening the capacity or rural organizations which leads to increased income and employment opportunities; (ii) enhancing social cohesion by strengthening farmer organizations and their relationship with the commercial private sector; (iii) ensuring sustainable development by promoting the production of crops best suited to the local natural resources and utilizing more efficient agricultural practices which reduces pressure on environmentally fragile lands; and (iv) developing human capital by helping low-income farmers to improve knowledge in agricultural production, develop business skills and enhance their ability to form and operate cooperatives
