The objective of the workshop is to bring together leading experts to review the available evidence on the current and future status of smallholders in the world. The workshop will be structured so as to highlight the ongoing debate on the topic, synthesize areas of agreement and disagreement, and make research recommendations readily available to a broad range of stakeholders. The discussion will be centered around seven key issues, all focusing on the following core question:

What are the critical economic, institutional, technical, and policy constraints and opportunities facing smallholder farming in the context of global, regional, national, and local economic, political, and agro-ecological conditions in the early 21st century?