IFC has made agribusiness a priority because of its potential for broad development impact and especially strong role in poverty reduction. We combine investments and advisory services to help the sector address higher demand and escalating food prices in an environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive way. We also support global initiatives for sustainable production of agricultural commodities.
The food price crisis is putting pressure on the global supply chain and threatening progress in poverty reduction. To help clients prefinance inventories, seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, and fuel for farmers, IFC has offered working capital facilities. For the medium term, we will scale up financing for agribusiness and address critical constraints along the value chain. We aim to bring land into sustainable production, improve productivity by transferring technologies and practices, and make the best use of water and other resources. We will also pursue investments, with both private and public sectors, in physical infrastructure (ports, warehouses, cold storage, telecommunications) that can facilitate trade and lower cost. To reach small farmers and rural enterprises, IFC will work more with trading companies and financial intermediaries, helping channel financing and advisory services effectively.
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