Rikolto (formerly VECO/Vredeseilanden) is an international NGO with more than 40 years’ experience in partnering with farmer organisations and food chain stakeholders across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
We run programmes in 17 countries worldwide through seven regional offices. We’re a close-knit network of accessible and knowledgeable colleagues, willing to share experience and eager to inspire others.
Building on this experience, we are well prepared to tackle the challenges threatening our food system:
By 2050, the global population is projected to exceed 9.6 billion. Global food production will need to increase by 50 percent to meet this challenge, which will be particularly acute in rapidly expanding urban areas.
Soil quality and water resources are already depleting and the impact of climate change is further aggravating this development.
Low prices and poverty are forcing farmers from the land and young people are turning their backs on a future in agriculture.
Rikolto believes family farms are a big part of the solution. Together they produce 70% of our food worldwide, but individually they're often cut out of the trade, ending up in poverty and leaving their huge potential untapped. Change on a global scale demands that food markets become more inclusive and offer value to all actors in the food chain. Smallholder farmers must be offered a fair deal.
This is why we put inclusive business at the core of our work.
