Leveling the Playing Field for Women in Agriculture
Women in agriculture are vital in fighting climate change and achieving food security; yet they face a number of barriers. Women are the backbone of the agricultural sector, composing 43% of the labor force globally and up to 80% in certain
How Rural Businesses Are Confronting the Climate Crisis
While you sip your morning brew, consider this: By 2050, the area suitable for most coffee production is expected to decline by around 50%. The culprit? Climate change. The climate crisis. Your daily dose of coffee depends on specific climate conditions,
Five Lessons We’re Taking from 2020
“Challenging” “Sobering” “Unprecedented” Words fail to adequately describe 2020. The staggering toll of the pandemic defines this year, but so do examples of hope, unity, and innovation. And not all of those stories made headline news. In the remote communities where Root Capital
Bringing Climate Action to Farming Communities
Root Capital's Climate Resilience Roadmap This week, Hurricane Iota became the strongest storm ever to hit Nicaragua. The category four storm ripped across the country with torrential rains and winds topping 155mph, mere weeks after the same communities were devastated by
This All-Women Cooperative is Feeding Hundreds During the Pandemic
Since 2007, the all-women AMPROCAL coffee cooperative in Ocotepeque, Honduras has worked hard to connect farmers with higher prices for their coffee on the international market. Starting with just eight members, they’ve grown to over 150 today. That means they’re
Keeping Farmers Safe and Business Running: One Coop’s Pandemic Response
When Donald Delgado took the helm of UNICAFEC last November, the coffee cooperative was at a crossroads. Since its founding in 2001, the cooperative had been led by one man, Alfredo Alarcón, and his sudden death left a hole in
Root Capital and DFC Invest in Rural Women Through the 2X Challenge
When you run a small enterprise in a rural community, it’s difficult to access the financing you need to grow. If you’re a woman running one of these enterprises, it’s even harder. That’s why development finance institutions from all G7
A More Sustainable Future for Bees —and their Keepers— in Southern Mexico
On Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, nestled far from the sea, the town of Kankabchen is teeming with honeybees. In this Maya community, honey is more than just a business—it’s a cultural touchstone. Families have raised bees for generations. Some can still
Latest Findings: Impact on Rural Livelihoods, the Case of Peru
Impact measurement and management are at the heart of Root Capital’s work, helping us optimize our efforts to impact and transform rural communities. By measuring the impact our services are having on client farmers compared to non-members, we unlock critical
COVID-19 Response in Rural Businesses: How Impact Investors Switched to Remote Work
It has been weeks since we closed the Root Capital offices and switched to remote work across the globe. First and foremost, I’m grateful to report the good health of our team and clients and wish the same for you
This “Hidden Influencer” is Expanding Opportunity for Women Farmers in Colombia
The average woman around the world spends significantly more time than the average man doing unpaid domestic labor. As a result of gender disparity, women farmers are up to 50% less likely than men to adopt research-proven good agricultural practices. It’s 3
How We’re Continuing to Support Rural Businesses and Smallholder Farmers During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Rural businesses and smallholder farmers are the heart of rural communities, a vital part of the economy that needs to continue functioning during the novel Coronavirus outbreak. This is how Root Capital using digital technology helps to stay in close