IFC Global Agribusiness Conference

The Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), managed by IFC, provides long- and short-term loans, credit guarantees, and equity to private sector entities in the world’s poorest countries to improve smallholder productivity growth, access to finance and markets, and to increase capacity and technical skills.The Private Sector Window is supported by the governments of Australia, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business and delivers value for all stakeholders. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ over 80,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries.

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.

The hardest part of financing smallholder farmers is shepherding small-scale smallholder-inclusive business models through to investments. How can companies and banks take costs and risks out of smallholder-inclusive business models? What can be learned from companies and banks that have recently taken ideas to scale? Neumman Kaffee Gruppe, FMO and IDH share their experiences in building better business models and de-risking investments. Join over lunch for an intimate discussion of learnings from practical experience of taking ideas to better businesses to scalable investments.

ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd is a leading global commodity merchant and sustainable supply chain management company. As an origin-intergrated business operating in over 40 major producing countries worldwide, ECOM focuses primarily on coffee, cotton, and cocoa, as well as participating in selected other agricultural product markets. With over 168 years of market experience, ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. is committed to sustainable, socially responsible leadership within the soft commodities industry. ECOM’s global operations rely on its extensive knowledge and experience in supply chain improvement, risk management and client-focused distribution to create a valuable and sustainable supply chain, starting from the local farmers and their communities through to the world’s leading finished-product manufacturers.