Enhanced Linkages between the Private Sector and Small-scale Producers（ELPS）

Overview and Objectives of the ELPS initiative

Launched by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan in April 2023 during its G7 Presidency and implemented by IFAD, ELPS strengthens partnerships between agribusinesses and small-scall producers in developing countries.

It promotes sustainable, market-oriented farming through win-win co-investment models that:

• Develop sustainable agricultural supply chains;
• Improve smallholders’ productivity, quality, and market access; and
• Ensure environmental and social sustainability.

Food and agriculture companies gain reliable, traceable sourcing channels, while smallholders benefit from technology transfer, training and access to higher-value markets. Each partnership is structured as a joint project, with IFAD supporting producers to meet commercial standards and companies investing in supply-chain expansion, such as logistics or certification. All collaboration follows IFAD’s procurement rules and undergoes due diligence and joint design missions before implementation.

(Reference) JAPAN-IFAD Partnership: ELPS Initiative(PDF : 311KB)

ELPS’s Scheme

Examples of ELPS interventions

ELPS partners include food, agribusiness, and trading companies engaged in global supply chains, particularly consumer-facing firms in the fast-moving consumer goods（FMGC）sector. Concrete interventions already under implementation include: