Smallholder farmers are responsible for most of the world’s food production and investments made in agriculture. They also play a major role in preserving agrobiodiversity which is, in turn, a key asset for ensuring their own food security and nutrition, and that of their communities.
Smallholder farmers mostly operate in markets that are embedded into territorial food systems, also called “territorial markets”. From a consumer perspective, these territorial markets represent key retail outlets for accessing healthy diets, in particular fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meat, and staple foods.
Despite their importance, data concerning territorial markets ̶ with details on availability of different food groups and food retailers and consumers’ characteristics ̶ ̶ are often not available in national data collection systems.
Through the territorial markets initiative, FAO aims to highlight the importance of territorial markets to promote healthy food environments and ensure access to healthy diets and nutritious and diversified food. FAO seeks also to identify any gaps that could be addressed, as well as to provide specific recommendations for policies and investments that could be promoted by local and national institutions and governments.
Overview of the initiative and methodology for data collection
Territorial markets dashboard
The dashboard on territorial markets shows the data collected since 2020 in several countries.
FAO's mapping of territorial markets is based on a structured methodology for the collection of reliable data and information. Different synthetic indicators were built to measure markets' performance vis-à-vis the inclusion of women, business environment, producer-consumer link, diversity of offer and contribution to healthy and diversified diets.
Evidence from countries
- Territorial markets datasets from several countries available on FAO's Hand-in-Hand Geospatial Platform through Explore Data/Trade and Production/Territorial Markets
- Report: Understanding the potential for territorial markets to promote healthy diets. Evidence from Lebanon, with proposed interventions for improving food security and nutrition in line with National Agriculture and Nutrition Strategies.
- Report: Mapping territorial markets in Chimbu province and in Eastern Highlands province, Papua New Guinea
Tools for implementation