Key Takeaways
- GAFSP allocated $38.75 million in new grant funding to support smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, focusing on food security and climate resilience.
- The funding will support 16 producer organization-led projects expected to directly benefit an estimated 175,000 smallholder farmers through strengthened farmer institutions.
- Benin's National Platform of Farmers' and Agricultural Producers' Organizations received a $2.5 million grant to boost opportunities for 11,000 young people and women in vegetable and poultry value chains.
- Sri Lanka's Federation of Thrift and Credit Cooperative Societies will receive $2.5 million to improve climate resilience and market access for 10,000 smallholder farming families across four climate-vulnerable districts.
- Since 2010, GAFSP has mobilized more than $2.44 billion in donor contributions, providing support to agri-food sector projects in 55 low-income countries.
GAFSP Expands Support for Producer Organizations
The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) announced a major funding allocation aimed at strengthening smallholder agriculture through producer organization-led initiatives. The $38.75 million in grants will support 14 national and two regional projects across multiple continents, marking the first time regional producer organizations could compete for GAFSP funding.
The funding emphasizes building capacities and financial sustainability of producer organizations while scaling tested innovations for smallholder agriculture. Special attention is given to women farmers in recognition of the International Year of the Woman Farmer, addressing barriers they face in accessing land, finance, and markets.
