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Agriculture contributes to climate change – but can heal the planet

The facts are clear: climate change affects food and food security. While smallholders often bear the brunt of the impacts of climate change, they are best placed to identify and implement resilient and sustainable solutions. Learn more about GAFSP’s work to improve smallholders’ climate resilience.

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Addressing Priorities Beyond Agriculture

Improved agriculture and food systems can raise incomes, generate employment, reduce local food prices, and provide people with diverse and nutritious diets. GAFSP responds to demand on the ground, enabling farmers and countries to customize investments to meet multiple needs, with profound impacts both within and beyond the agriculture sector.

Increasing Food and Nutrition Security 

Even before the outbreak of COVID-19, the world was off track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) goal of eliminating hunger and malnutrition. The emerging food security crisis, coupled with continuing uncertainty and vulnerability around COVID-19 and climate change, showcase that we must take urgent action to build agriculture and food systems that can deliver safe, affordable, and healthy food to people in a sustainable way, both in times of crisis and beyond.

74%

of projects

Out of 80 public sector projects reviewed by March 2024, 74% included activities related to nutrition, with $522.8 million in support. 

4.5

million people

Thanks to GAFSP, 4 million people have better access to healthy food and diverse diets. 

Empowering Women Farmers 

Women play a central role in agriculture and food systems, yet they are often the last to eat at mealtimes. Compounding crises – such as climate change, a global pandemic, political instability, and conflict – have further exacerbated this inequality.  

GAFSP works to strengthen women's resilience to crises, especially as another food security crisis is unfolding. Our public and private sector projects include a range of gender-sensitive good practices related to agricultural technology, extension, and input interventions. 

7

million people

GAFSP projects have provided agricultural support nearly 7 million women— over 40 percent of all people reached. 

40%

of project participants

Overall, GAFSP projects benefit a high proportion of women – above 50 percent in many countries.

90%

of projects

Almost all GAFSP investments address elements of good gender mainstreaming for public investment projects. 

Strengthening Livelihoods

Growth in the agriculture sector is two to four times more effective than other sectors in raising incomes among the poorest. The agriculture sector has the potential to create jobs and increase incomes by raising agricultural productivity, linking farmers to markets, and improving non-farm rural livelihoods. GAFSP’s portfolio promotes paid farm and non-farm jobs.

376,780

employment opportunities

GAFSP has been tracking job creation since 2017. Our public sector projects created more than 376,780 direct employment opportunities.

43%

of jobs were for women

Women play a central role in agriculture and food systems. GAFSP works to empower women, improve their livelihoods and strengthen their resilience.