Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Small-scale farmers are responsible for producing nearly 80% of the world’s food supply, yet they continue to face significant barriers, particularly in accessing the critical knowledge and financing they need to adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.
At this year’s AFS Forum, over 3,000 global leaders and delegates gathered in Kigali to address these challenges. A central theme of the discussions was the potential of blended finance to drive sustainable agricultural solutions. Stakeholders called for greater collaboration across sectors, continents, and funding streams to break down silos and de-risk agri-climate investments. By leveraging public, private, and philanthropic partnerships, there is an opportunity to scale up market-led solutions that empower smallholder farmers to lead the transition towards more resilient, climate-smart food systems.
Organizations dedicated to accelerating South-South cooperation and forging effective partnerships in agri-finance are playing a crucial role in addressing these issues. Grow Asia, the World Economic Forum's Food Action Alliance, AGRA, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) are working together to drive investment in innovation. This collaboration aims to ensure that farmers in the Global South have access to tailored technologies and financing options that support sustainable agricultural practices. One key example of such efforts is the support for Vietnam's Food Innovation Hub, where investments are being scaled up to equip local farmers with the tools and resources needed for sustainable success.
The AFS Forum in Kigali highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and innovation in agri-finance to ensure that small-scale farmers have the resources needed to thrive in the face of climate challenges.