Agriculture and Food

Healthy, sustainable and inclusive food systems are critical to achieve the world’s development goals. Agricultural development is one of the most powerful tools to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity, and feed a projected 9.7 billion people by 2050. Growth in the agriculture sector is two to four times more effective in raising incomes among the poorest compared to other sectors.

Agriculture is also crucial to economic growth: accounting for 4% of global gross domestic product (GDP) and in some least developing countries, it can account for more than 25% of GDP.

But agriculture-driven growth, poverty reduction, and food security are at risk: Multiple shocks – from COVID-19 related disruptions to extreme weather, pests, and conflicts – are impacting food systems, resulting in higher food prices and growing hunger. The war in Ukraine has triggered a global food crisis that is driving millions more into extreme poverty. The World Bank is making up to $30 billion available as part of a global response to the food crisis.

Accelerating climate change could further cut crop yields, especially in the world’s most food-insecure regions. Agriculture, forestry, and land use change are responsible for about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. Mitigation in the agriculture sector is part of the solution to climate change.

Current food systems also threaten the health of people and the planet and generate unsustainable levels of pollution and waste. 

One third of food produced globally is either lost or wasted. Addressing food loss and waste is critical to improving food and nutrition security, as well as helping to meet climate goals and reduce stress on the environment.

Risks associated with poor diets are also the leading cause of death worldwide. Millions of people are either not eating enough or eating the wrong types of food, resulting in a double burden of malnutrition that can lead to illnesses and health crises. A 2021 report found that between 720 and 811 million people went hungry in 2020, more than 10% of the world's population.

Food insecurity can worsen diet quality and increase the risk of various forms of malnutrition, potentially leading to undernutrition as well as people being overweight and obese. An estimated 3 billion people in the world cannot afford a healthy diet.

Last Updated: Sep 30, 2022

The World Bank Group provides knowledge, advice, and financial resources in low- and middle-income countries to transform food systems to reduce poverty and achieve green, resilient, and inclusive development.

Our work in food and agriculture focuses on: 

Improving livelihoods and creating more and better jobs, including for women and youth;

Improving food security for all, including access to safe and nutritious food;  

Making agriculture and food more sustainable and more climate-smart: more productive and resilient in the face of climate change, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

Boosting agribusiness by building inclusive and efficient food value chains.

In 2022, there was US$9.1billion in new IBRD/IDA commitments to agriculture and related sectors. The Agriculture and Food Global Practice’s current portfolio is comprised of 164 projects. $2.6 billion in food and agriculture lending directly supported climate action. 

The World Bank Group’s private finance arm, the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) made US$4.17 billion worth of investments in the same time period. IFC financing goes to agribusiness, food companies, and banks. IFC also helps clients improve productivity, climate-smart practices, and food safety. 

Increasingly, the Bank supports country efforts to transform their food systems by taking a holistic look at public policies and spending for agriculture and food. A new Multi-Donor Trust Fund, Food Systems 2030, provides a platform for change in this area.

Last Updated: Sep 30, 2022

In Armenia since 2014, the Bank has supported 285,000 people in livestock farming and pasture management improvement. Under the project, more than 110,000 heads of livestock–or about 17% of Armenia’s total livestock–received improved animal health services.

In Azerbaijan, since 2013 the Bank has helped small and medium agribusinesses improve productivity by more than 60%, supported 70% of all livestock in the country through its animal disease-control program, and invested in seed research and processing to improve seed quality and production.

In Brazil since 2019, 7,400 people in rural communities in Ceará have benefited from improved agricultural production, access to water and sanitation, and 26,000 household water connections have been financed. More than 90,000 people are expected to benefit from this program over the next five years.

In Bhutan, a Bank-supported project supports the government's efforts to reduce rural poverty and high levels of malnutrition through climate-smart agriculture. Irrigation technology and greenhouses introduced through the project have helped farmers to increase their access to local and export markets. More than 6,500 people have increased the quality and quantity of produce like rice, maize, potato, vegetables, quinoa, citrus, apples, and potatoes, as well as high-value spices such as cardamom and ginger. 

In Burkina Faso, from 2000-2018, the Bank supported the Programme National de Gestion des Terroirs which decentralized rural development and built local capacity to deliver basic services. The program also invested in water and soil conservation, agroforestry, and energy-saving stoves and other environmental technologies, helping to protect more than 200,000 hectares.

In China, since 2014, a Bank-supported project has helped expand climate-smart agriculture. Better water-use efficiency on 44,000 hectares of farmland and new technologies have improved soil conditions and boosted production of rice by 12% and maize by 9%. More than 29,000 farmers’ cooperatives report higher incomes and increased climate resilience.

In Colombia, since 2010, the adoption of environmentally friendly Silvopastoral Production Systems for over 4,100 cattle ranches has converted 100,522 hectares of degraded pastures into more productive landscapes and captured 1,565,026 tons of CO2. 

In Cote d’Ivoire, between 2013 and 2017, the Agriculture Sector Project boosted the productivity of 200,000 farmers and rehabilitated 6,500 kilometers of rural roads which allowed farmers to more easily bring their products to market and reduce post-harvest losses. To aid the cashew industry, the Bank also supported a research program that helped disseminate 209 genotypes of high-performing trees and establish 18 nurseries. The Bank-financed project also helped leverage US$27.5 million in private investment to boost productivity on at least 26,500 hectares.

In Croatia, the Bank supported the Ministry of Agriculture in building a National Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy that connects country needs and the EU Common Agricultural Policy.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, between 2011 and 2017, 105,556 people benefited from better access to agricultural services and rural infrastructure. Their cassava yields rose to 19 tons per hectare from 7. They also received access to 2,884 tons of improved maize, rice, groundnut, and sorghum seed, and mobilized US$400,000 through savings groups.

In Djibouti, the Bank supported the construction of 112 water mobilization units, which improved water access for 9,762 households. The Bank also helped introduce hydroponic agriculture to 30 beneficiaries, rehabilitated 96 hectares of irrigated farmland, and produced 14,000 seedlings. 

In Ethiopia, since 2015 2.3 million farmers have directly benefited from interventions aimed at improving delivery of agricultural support services, agricultural research, small-scale irrigation, and market infrastructure development. Community projects have been financed for 4,800 Common Interest Groups, benefiting 82,715 subsistence farmers and youth.

In Honduras, since 2010, 11,678 small farmers–3,162 women and 4,076 people of indigenous or African descent–have used productive alliances to improve productivity and access to markets, which has leveraged US$24.4 million in finance from commercial banks and microfinance institutions. Land productivity increased by 24% and gross sales of producer organizations rose by 23%. Also, support to Honduras’ Dry Corridor Alliance has helped 5,450 households implement food security and agricultural business plans, and improved agricultural yields, nutrition, and food diversity for 20,000 people.

In Bihar, India in 2016, the Jeevika project reached 12.7 million women and their families. So far, women have saved over $ 225.71 million and leveraged $ 3.2 billion from the formal financial sector. Nearly 3 million households benefited from additional income from diversified and enhanced livelihood opportunities – including farm, off-farm and non-farm. In addition, 65% of households surveyed in 2019 reported higher incomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the community platform supported its members with provision of food, protective equipment and access to information.

Since 2013, Bank support has strengthened Indonesia’s agricultural research system. 33 Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (AIAT) centers now have the capacity to develop improved rice, vegetable, and fruit varieties. The project has supported 161 agricultural researchers through degree programs (68 doctorates and 93 master’s degrees); upgraded 58 labs and 54 research stations; and funded 1,134 research activities, including 44 international research collaboration activities. 

In Jamaica, between 2009 and 2017, an initiative focused on sustainable growth and stronger value chains helped over 4,320 farmers in 13 parishes. The initiative introduced drip irrigation, water storage, livestock production and processing plants, organized 180 greenhouses for year-round crop production, and established relationships between farmers and buyers.

In Kenya, since 2016, nearly 1 million farmers–more than 60% women–are boosting their productivity and accessing markets. Through partnership with 15 agriculture tech startups, digital technologies are being leveraged to help nearly 50,000 farmers deliver products to consumers—which has proved especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Kosovo, since 2011, the Bank provided 775 grants to farmers and 103 grants to agri-processors to increase production capacities and enhance market competitiveness in the livestock and horticulture sector. This was done through upgrading facilities, adopting new technologies, and introducing food safety and environmental standards.

In Madagascar, since 2016, the Bank has boosted the productivity of over 130,000 farmers. Sixty-thousand hectares of irrigated rice fields have been rehabilitated. The Bank also supported the cocoa sector through research, the development of certified seeds, and promotion of improved production and processing techniques. This allowed 4,000 cocoa producers to increase their incomes and increase production and export volumes by 50%. The Bank also financed the country’s largest land rights registration, facilitating the delivery of over 200,000 land certificates to farmers. 

In Mexico, until 2018, 1,842 small and medium agribusinesses have adopted 2,286 environmentally sustainable energy technologies, reducing CO2 emissions by 6.02 million tons.

In Moldova, since 2012, the Bank has helped more than 7,500 farmers gain access to local and regional high-value markets for fresh fruit and vegetables and boosted land productivity through the promotion of sustainable land management practices on 120,000 hectares of farmland.

In Montenegro, since 2009 the Bank supported 3,879 farmers working on orchards, vineyards, livestock and aromatic plants, 224 agro-processors complying with EU requirements for food safety and 278 agricultural households adopting agro-environmental measures, , improving their competitiveness and sustainability.

In Nepal, the Bank-supported Nepal Poverty Alleviation Fund helped small farmers and rural poor people access microcredit, assets, services, and training. Since 2004, it has created over 30,000 community organizations and had an impact on more than 900,000 households. 

In Nicaragua, between 2015 and 2019, food security in 563 communities along the Caribbean Coast was enhanced, benefiting 75,000 people. Nearly 11,000 families adopted improved agricultural technology and productivity increased by 78%.

In Paraguay, since 2008, 20,863 farmers increased their agricultural income by at least 30% and 18,951 adopted improved agricultural practices, boosting the productivity of their land.

In Peru, since 2013, nearly 600 agricultural innovations have been identified and tested with the help of competitive matching grants. More than 110 of these innovations have been validated at the farm level, and as of September 2020, one or more of them have been adopted by nearly 32,000 producers.

In the Philippines, since 2015, the Bank helped raise rural incomes, enhance farm and fishery productivity, improve market access and mainstream institutional and operational reforms, as well as science-based planning for agricultural commodities in 81 provinces. The project has benefitted a total of 323,501 people–46% of them women–with farm roads, irrigation, and agricultural enterprise projects, boosting incomes by up to 36%. 

In Rwanda, between 2010 and 2018, the Bank helped support more than 410,000 farmers–50% of them women–in improving their agricultural production by developing over 7,400 hectares for marshland irrigation, providing hillside irrigation on over 2,500 hectares, and improving soil conservation and erosion on more than 39,000 hectares of hillside. Maize yields, rice yields, and potato yields have all more than doubled and around 2.5 tons of vegetables are exported to Europe every week.

In Tajikistan, since 2014, the Bank supports agricultural diversification through the development of value chains, including dairy, apricot, apple, pear, tomato, cucumber, and lemon, allowing 2,127 farmers–49% of whom are female–to procure farm equipment and invest in crop and livestock production, dry fruits processing, and greenhouses.

In Togo, since 2012, the Bank has helped farmers improve breeding techniques, allowing 19,332 producers to grow their incomes and raise healthier livestock. The Bank also provided planting materials to boost production for 33,817 farmers–10% of them female–working on 21,209 hectares of cocoa, and 35,505 hectares of coffee plantations.

In Tunisia, the Bank helped 113 remote rural villages improve land management practices on 37,000 hectares of land to increase productivity and improve 930 kilometers of rural roads serving some 160 villages. 

In Uruguay, since 2014, climate-smart agriculture techniques have been adopted on 2.4 million hectares and adopted by 5,087 farmers, providing for a carbon sequestration potential of up to 9 million tons of CO2 annually.

In Uganda, since 2015, the Bank is leveraging local agri-tech startups to help 150,000 farmers receive electronic vouchers for inputs and services. Scaling up Uganda’s agri-tech startup services will enable 450,000 farmers to hire tractors, use solar-powered irrigation, receive soil test results, receive mobile-based precision agricultural advice, access timely credit through mobile wallets, and sell their harvests through e-marketplace platforms.

In Uzbekistan, the following results were achieved under the Horticulture Development Project:  created 34,520 jobs, including 13,124 for women;  horticulture productivity of the beneficiaries increased by 24% and profitability by 124%; beneficiaries reported entry into entirely new export markets; 27,512 smallholder farmers and traders benefited from the project by accessing the project supported facilities. 

In Vietnam, since 2010, the Bank has promoted sustainable livelihoods by helping develop 9,000 “common interest groups” (CIGs) comprising over 15,500 households and partnering them with agricultural enterprises. The Bank also helped over 20,000 farmers improve their livestock production and benefited an additional 130,000 people through capacity building in food safety. 

Under the West African Agricultural Productivity Program, the Bank supported a research and development effort that promoted technology generation, dissemination, and support to local farming systems in 13 ECOWAS countries. The project reached more than 2.7 million beneficiaries, 41% of whom were women. It also generated 112 technologies that reached over 1,850,000 hectares. An impact study found that average annual incomes of beneficiary farmers in Ghana increased by US$307.

Last Updated: Sep 30, 2022

The World Bank works with a range of partners to achieve ambitious development goals: transforming food systems, boosting food security and empowering smallholder farmers, to realize zero hunger and poverty by 2030. 

The Bank hosts a new Multi-Donor Trust Fund Food Systems 2030 that helps countries reimagine and rethink their food systems from farm to fork. With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Commission, Germany, Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands, Food Systems 2030 seeks to build a sustainable food system that delivers healthy people, a healthy planet and healthy economies. 

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, a multilateral financing platform , improves food and nutrition security in the world’s poorest countries, with the aim of strengthening resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems in the long-term. Established by the G20 in the wake of the global response to the 2007–08 food price crisis, GAFSP provides grants to countries and producer organizations, as well as concessional loans and blended finance solutions to agribusinesses, to support activities along the food value chain – from ‘farm to table’.  The World Bank plays three distinct roles of Trustee, project implementation partner, and host to the secretariat.

The World Bank leads the Food Systems, Land use and Restoration Global Platform (FOLUR), financed by the Global Environment Facility, in partnership with UNDP, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Global Landscapes Forum and the Food and Land-use Coalition. FOLUR) is a $345 million, seven-year program that aims to improve the health and sustainability of landscapes that produce the world’s food. FOLUR targets sustainable production landscapes in 27 country projects for eight major commodities (livestock, cocoa, coffee, maize, palm oil, rice, soy, and wheat).

The World Bank chairs the System Council of CGIAR, a global partnership that advances cutting-edge science to reduce rural poverty, increase food security, improve human health and nutrition, and ensure sustainable management of natural resources.

For more information, contact The Trust Funds and Partnerships team on agf_tf_p_core_team@worldbankgroup.org

Last Updated: Sep 30, 2022