NextBillion - A WDI Publication

GAFSP Announces $38 Million in Grants to Support Smallholder Farmers Across Africa, Asia, and the Americas

The latest allocation by GAFSP places a strong emphasis on strengthening the capacities and financial sustainability of producer organizations, while scaling up tested innovations for smallholder agriculture.

Source

Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture

Region

Global

Tags

climate change, food security, partnerships, scale, smallholder farmers, supply chains, sustainable finance, women entrepreneurs

World Bank Approves $500 Million to Boost Nigeria’s Agriculture, Target One Million Farmers

The project is designed to improve farm productivity, strengthen value chains, and create jobs, while helping to stabilise food supply in Africa’s most populous nation.

Source

Africa Business Communities (link opens in a new window)

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

food security, lending, smallholder farmers, supply chains

Fundación Alpura Invests USD $2.6 Million in Food Security

Beyond food access, the organization implemented environmental education programs, water access initiatives and infrastructure projects, including rainwater harvesting and clean energy systems in schools and rural communities.

Source

Mexico Business News (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Education, Environment, Investing

Region

Latin America

Tags

food security, forests, skill development, youth

$48 Million First Close for Aqua-Spark Africa Aquaculture Fund

Aqua-Spark has announced the official first close of its new Aqua-Spark Africa fund at USD 48 million, marking a significant milestone in the development of aquaculture across sub-Saharan Africa.

Source

The Fish Site (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

blue economy, food security, impact investing, infrastructure, innovation, scale

Press Release: IFC Backs Paraguay’s First Green Fertilizer Plant, Creating Jobs, Advancing Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

The project is expected to positively impact employment opportunities, with over 1,265 new direct jobs created during the construction phase, and nearly 200 skilled and semi skilled positions during operations.

Source

IFC (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture

Region

Latin America

Tags

development finance, employment, food security, innovation, renewable energy, scale

Big Tech ‘Leave Poor Farmers Sidelined’ In AI Revolution

The report published Wednesday by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) highlights how tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Alibaba are shaping the future of farming through cloud platforms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, attracting substantial public and private investment.

Source

Eurasia Review (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Technology

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, corporations, food security, innovation, research, smallholder farmers

Tech Firms and AI Farming Tools ‘Playing With the Food System’, Warns Thinktank

Google, Microsoft and Amazon among companies using algorithms and AI to influence what crops are grown and how, say critics.

Source

The Guardian (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture

Region

Global

Tags

agtech, artificial intelligence, corporations, food security, research, smallholder farmers

Press Release: IDB Lab to Invest $8 Million in AgVentures III Fund to Advance Agtech Innovation

Fund manager SP Ventures' impact thesis is to generate social benefits for vulnerable populations by supporting technologies that democratize access to productivity and efficiency for small- and medium-sized farmers.

Source

IDB Lab (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Agriculture, Investing

Region

Latin America

Tags

agtech, development finance, food security, impact investing, impact measurement, innovation, partnerships, smallholder farmers