Better access to domestic and international markets allows rural farmers to sell their products at higher prices, motivating them to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of the goods they produce and sell more. Reliable market access is also beneficial to regional income growth, food security, and poverty and hunger alleviation. Despite these significant benefits, smallholder farmers’ market access has been constrained by a wide range of factors, such as remote locations, information asymmetry, high transaction costs, and the lack of business skills. These issues are more common in developing and emerging countries.

This ADBI virtual international conference featured new research that discusses the linkages between farmers and markets in Asian countries. It also highlighted policy approaches for improving smallholder farmers’ market access and promoting sustainable agricultural, rural, and social development.

See more about this ADBI event here.