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IDH Farmfit Fund | MsingiLab

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Impact FundDFIRolling

IDH Farmfit Fund

$500K-$5M (EUR equivalent)

RollingWebsiteEst. 2020

DebtEquityGrantTechnical AssistanceAgricultureFinancial InclusionFood SystemsEarly-stageGrowthScale

Moderate Gender LensModerate Climate Lens

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The world's largest public-private impact fund for smallholder farmers. EUR 100M fund providing tailored financial instruments (debt, risk-sharing, equity) and technical assistance to companies and financial institutions that serve smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Over 250,000 farmers reached in Africa with 60%+ reporting increased income.

What You Get

Tailored Financing

Flexible financial instruments — debt, risk-sharing, equity — structured to investee needs

Technical Assistance

Dedicated TA facility to support investees in improving farmer-facing operations

First-Loss Protection

Fund takes first-loss position, reducing risk for co-investors

Network & Knowledge

Access to IDH's convening power, FMCG partners, and Farmfit Insights Hub data

Impact Measurement

Rigorous farmer-level impact evaluation and data through Farmfit methodology

Warm Intro

Required

Geographic Focus

Sub-Saharan Africa, Pan-Africa

Decision Timeline

4-12 weeks for initial screening; full due diligence may take several months

Key Dates

2020-01-01Farmfit Fund launched

2025-10-01Dutch government mid-term review published

Eligibility

Companies or financial institutions serving smallholder farmers
Active in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, or Latin America
Sustainable and inclusive business model
Clear pathway to reaching smallholder farmers at scale
Ability to demonstrate or measure farmer income impact

Traction Required

Demonstrated track record serving smallholder farmers; clear and measurable farmer-level impact metrics

Team Requirements

Strong management team with experience in agricultural value chains or financial services for smallholders

Selection Criteria

Alignment with fund's mission to increase smallholder farmer income
Sustainability and commercial viability of business model
Scale potential and farmer reach
Quality of management team
Measurable impact on farmer livelihoods
Risk-return profile compatible with fund structure

Focus Areas

Smallholder Finance

Financial institutions providing loans, insurance, and savings products to smallholder farmers

Agricultural Service Delivery

Companies providing inputs, advisory, market access, and aggregation services to smallholders

Value Chain Development

Traders, processors, and agri-SMEs sustainably engaging with smallholder supply chains — cocoa, coffee, cotton, palm oil, tea, aquaculture, soy, cassava, rice

What They Look For

Companies and financial institutions with proven models for serving smallholder farmers at scale. Strong preference for investees that can demonstrate measurable farmer income impact. Sectors include food, staple and cash crops (cocoa, coffee, cotton, palm oil, tea, aquaculture, soy, cassava, rice). Fund is patient capital — accepts below-market returns for high impact.

Post-Investment Support

Technical assistance for farmer-facing operations, impact measurement through Farmfit methodology, access to IDH's global network and knowledge platforms (Farmfit Insights Hub), potential follow-on investment

Red Flags to Watch

No public application form — engagement is through direct outreach or referrals; Due diligence is extensive — prepare for multi-month process; Impact measurement requirements are rigorous

Insider Tip

The Fund has made 15 investments across 13 companies with 2 follow-ons — portfolio is growing but selective. Strategic partnership with Oikocredit recently announced, expanding reach. Engage through IDH's investment management team or via referrals from partner organizations (FMO, Rabobank, FMCG partners). Farmfit Insights Hub (farmfitinsightshub.org) has valuable data on what works in smallholder finance.

2020

Active Since

Yes

Deploying

Notable Investments

Advans Cote d'Ivoire (smallholder farmer financing, West Africa); 13 investee companies across Africa, Asia, Latin America; 66,000 farmers gained access to loans through portfolio companies