This open access book discusses the current role of smallholders in connection with food
security and poverty reduction in developing countries. It addresses the opportunities they
enjoy and the constraints they face by analysing the availability access to and utilization
of production factors. Due to the relevance of smallholder farms enhancing their production
capacities and economic and social resilience could produce positive impacts on food security
and nutrition at a number of levels.In addition to the role of small farmers as food suppliers
the book considers their role as consumers and their level of nutrition security. It
investigates the link between agriculture and nutrition in order to better understand how
agriculture affects human health and dietary patterns. Given the importance of smallholdings
strategies to increase their productivity are essential to improving food and nutrition
security as well as food diversity.
