Agricultural production in many parts of the world is carried out on a small-scale by farmers with little income or natural resources making their lives vulnerable to unforeseen setbacks but farming methods can be improved without relying on large amounts of external financial assistance. 

Farming methods can be improved without relying on large amounts of external financial assistance but more relying on farmers cooperating on activities that would not be possible by individuals working on their won and by appropriate financial arrangements such as micro financing.

Some of the options available to small-scale farmers are highlighted by the research carried out be Practical Action. There are many other organisations that have also research small-scale agricultural practice and made their finding available through the various channels.