Faced with increasing global hunger, which exceeded a billion people following the food and financial crises, the international community is committed to redouble its efforts to fight hunger and malnutrition. This paper argues that whereas the overall global picture is not good, there are several examples of success-where success is defined along three dimensions: reducing hunger, transforming the agriculture sector, and enhancing smallholder productivity. It is important to study those success stories, and try to derive lessons and examples of good practice that can be used by other countries.

Supporting smallholder farmers is one of the best ways to fight hunger and poverty. It is estimated that 85 percent of the farms in the world measure less than 2 hectares, and that smallholder farmers and their families represent 2 billion people, or one-third of the world's population.

Indonesia, Mexico and Sierra Leone are examples of countries that have developed innovative approaches to empowering and supporting smallholders. The paper describes how initiatives that began as pilot projects are now being scaled up to help improve the productivity of large numbers of smallholders and thus increase their incomes and enhance food security for their households and the nation as a whole.

The examples presented here provide a message of hope - the battle against hunger can be won. What is required is an unwavering commitment from developing country governments themselves and strong support from the international community.