The wisdom in producer partnerships, Claire Rhodes, CEO of Producers Direct

Claire Rhodes is CEO of Producers Direct, a charity set up by Cafedirect in 2009 to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Producers Direct is led by farmers and runs programmes to turn smallholder farms into sustainable businesses. Claire talks about the advantages of a charity led by international smallholder farmers and how its seen huge entrepreneurial successes by harnessing their knowledge.

With 80% of the world’s food and commodities coming from smallholder farmers, they are essential to our food and agricultural systems. As farmers battle with the effects of climate change Claire explains how urgently businesses need to protect and replenish the environment they operate in for the survival of their livelihoods and our food supply. And only by collaborating – across organisations and countries – can we do this.