Since its inception in 2006, One Acre Fund has been a lifeline for smallholder farmers, providing them with the financing, agricultural inputs, and training they need to increase yields and profits substantially. Andrew Youn’s revolutionary approach centers on a deep understanding of the farmers’ needs, cultivated by living among them in rural communities. His efforts have not gone unnoticed; One Acre Fund has grown from supporting 40 families to empowering four million farmers across nine African countries.
The organization’s work is especially critical in a world grappling with climate change and food insecurity—two issues disproportionately affecting Africa’s vulnerable farming communities. One Acre Fund’s recent recognition as the recipient of the 2023 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, accompanied by $2.5 million in unrestricted funding, underscores the organization’s effectiveness and positions it well to achieve its ambitious 2030 target of assisting 10 million farming families. Through Youn’s leadership, One Acre Fund continues to serve as a beacon of sustainable development and empowerment.
