Smallholders working with the Wasil Foundation in Pakistan | Photo by Ayesha Vellani Photo by Ayesha Vellani

National Surveys

From 2013 to 2017, CGAP engaged thousands of small-scale farmers around the world through nationally representative surveys and financial diaries to learn how financial services can better meet their needs. 

CGAP conducted nationally representative surveys of smallholder households in six countries: Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. The research sheds light on smallholders’ agricultural and financial lives, covering agricultural and non-agricultural income sources, financial behaviors and tools, mobile phone usage, and a range of attitudes and perceptions. The data shows the diversity of the sector. It can be used by financial services providers to tailor their smallholder products and by funders and policy makers to inform interventions. 

Financial Diaries

Financial diaries in Mozambique, Pakistan and Tanzania complement the national surveys, offering a unique window into smallholders’ financial lives and money management approaches. The diaries track all cash flows over a year for 270 smallholder households in the three markets.