Tackling rural poverty, together

Extract

The combination of rapid urbanization and rising per capita incomes is creating a demand for a wider range of more specialized foods compared to the traditional, mainly grain-based foods of the past. Food processors are demanding higher quality, safe food for domestic consumption that also meets international standards for export opportunities. These developments are having a profound effect on agricultural reform and are affecting rural communities. In order to assist China's small farmers to adapt to these new demands, gain new market access, improve rural livelihoods and meet China's obligations as a member of the WTO, CIDA and China’s Ministry of Commerce agreed to institute the SFAGM Project. One of the successes of the Project to date is related to assistance it has provided in improving supply chains to increase sales and productivity for a small producer that has a quality product.