IFC's Priorities in Agribusiness

Our approach in agribusiness is comprehensive and comprises the full 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 natural resources. As urbanization continues, we work to support efficient supply chains to bring safe, affordable food to cities.

To help clients prefinance inventories, seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals for farmers, IFC offers working capital facilities. We are helping clients maintain competitiveness, upgrade sanitary and food safety standards, and expand market access.

We also pursue investments, with both private and public sectors, in infrastructure—including ports, warehouses, cold storage, and telecommunications—that can facilitate trade and reduce cost.

To reach small farmers and rural enterprises, particularly in low-income countries, IFC is working with trading companies and financial intermediaries, helping channel financing and advisory services effectively.

We also manage the Private Sector Window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), a multilateral fund set up to help the Group of 20 leading economies deliver on its food-security commitments. The private sector part of this fund enables IFC to reach even the smallest farmers and rural enterprises, by blending donor financing with commercial funds.

As the agribusiness sector recognizes the need to make sustainable use of land, other natural resources and to raise labor standards, we seek commercially viable solutions and help companies set benchmarks for sustainable production in line with industry best practices. In areas such as sequestering carbon, managing watersheds, preserving biodiversity, and producing renewable energy resources, IFC’s efforts can also help generate new income through improved environmental services.

Agriculture is inherently risky. IFC helps companies mitigate risks so their investments grow and succeed.