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GAFSP
🌍 Global  ·  Agriculture & Food Security Program
Global Agriculture and
Food Security Program

GAFSP — Ending Hunger Through Agricultural Investment

$2B+ Total Funding
60+ Countries Supported
2009 Year Established
Grant Funding Type
World Bank Initiative  |  Food Security 2026
✅ Apply for GAFSP Funding Learn More →

The food we eat every day is supported by a vast and complex system. This system is now under severe pressure due to climate change, wars, natural disasters, and economic instability. Millions of people around the world still lack access to sufficient and nutritious food. To address this crisis, the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) was established—one of the world’s largest international financing programs for agricultural development and food security.

1

Global Challenge

Climate change, conflicts, natural disasters, and economic instability are placing increasing pressure on global food systems.

2

Food Security Need

Millions of people around the world still lack access to sufficient and nutritious food.

3

Global Response

The Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) was created as one of the world’s largest international financing programmes supporting agriculture and food security.

What is GAFSP and Why Was It Needed?

Food prices suddenly skyrocketed around the world in 2007–08. This led to a food crisis in many low-income countries. This clearly showed how fragile the world’s agricultural system was.
History

Why GAFSP Was Created

Driven by this reality, GAFSP was established in 2010 at the initiative of G20.

Purpose

Long-Term Food Security

Its main objective was not only to provide emergency food assistance but also to strengthen agricultural systems in the long term. So that countries could cope with future food crises.

GAFSP is a multilateral fund managed by the World Bank and financed jointly by various donor countries and development organizations.

Main Objectives of GAFSP

1

Increase food production and improve food security.

2

Increase the income of smallholder and marginal farmers.

3

Develop a sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural system.

4

Increase the participation of women and youth in agriculture.

5

Improve the nutritional status of children and mothers.

6

Encourage private investment in the agricultural sector.

How GAFSP Actually Works

GAFSP does not provide funds directly to farmers. Rather, it implements projects through governments, international development organisations, and private institutions. This programme mainly works in two parts.

1

Public Sector Window

In this window, developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada contribute funds to the programme.

Low-income countries apply for this funding by submitting their own agricultural and food security plans.

Projects are implemented by organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, IFAD, and WFP.

This window mainly focuses on irrigation systems, market access roads, research, and farmer training.

Focus: Irrigation • Roads • Research • Farmer Training
2

Private Sector Window

This window is managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Here, loans, grants, and risk guarantees are provided to small and medium-sized agribusinesses, banks, and other organizations.

So that activities such as cold storage, food processing, and improving farmers’ access to credit can be expanded.

Support: Loans • Grants • Risk Guarantees

What Does GAFSP Do in Practice?

1

Providing improved seeds and training in modern farming methods so that crop yields increase even on small plots of land.

2

Developing irrigation systems and agricultural infrastructure.

3

Improving food storage, transportation, and market systems.

4

Increasing women’s participation in agriculture and promoting their financial inclusion.

5

Helping farmers cope with natural disasters and climate change.

6

Creating job opportunities by providing loans to small-scale businesses.

The Features That Set GAFSP Apart From Others

1

Country-Led

Not the donor country, the beneficiary country itself makes the development plans.

2

Quick Assistance

During times of crisis, GAFSP disburses funds much faster than regular development aid.

3

Focus on the Poorest

90% of the funds go to low-income and lower-middle-income countries, especially in Africa and Asia.

4

Links Agriculture, Nutrition & Climate

GAFSP doesn’t treat these as separate issues, instead it focuses on combined development.

The struggle to adapt to climate change

In today’s world, climate change is likely the biggest threat to agriculture. Irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, sudden floods and extreme fluctuations in temperature – all of these have made farming increasingly uncertain. In light of this reality, climate-resilient agriculture is given central importance in GAFSP projects.

1
The expansion of water-saving irrigation technologies, so that more yield can be achieved with less water.
2
The development and distribution of drought- and flood-resistant crop varieties.
3
Special programs for protecting and restoring soil health.
4
Weather forecast-based risk management, so that farmers can prepare in advance.

Long-Term Goal

The goal of these initiatives is not only to increase today’s yield, but also to sustain the agricultural system amid the uncertainties of the future.

Role of GAFSP in Nutrition Security

Increasing food production alone is not enough—the food also needs to be nutritious. That’s why many GAFSP projects specifically emphasize the production of nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, pulses, and animal protein.

1
School-based nutrition programs.
2
Homestead vegetable gardening.
3
Awareness training on maternal nutrition.
4
Awareness training on child nutrition.

Why It Matters

Because research shows that if a child does not get adequate nutrition in the first two years of life, the impact lasts a lifetime.

GAFSP’s Activities in Different Regions

GAFSP’s projects have been implemented in many countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific region. Regional development institutions like the African Development Bank oversee these projects, while organizations like the FAO Investment Centre provide technical guidance.

Africa

Regional Development

Projects are supported by regional development institutions, including the African Development Bank.

Asia

Technical Support

Organizations such as the FAO Investment Centre provide technical guidance for project implementation.

Latin America

Local Priorities

Although challenges differ in each region, projects are adapted to local agricultural needs and conditions.

Pacific

Infrastructure Focus

Some projects focus on irrigation and water management, while others strengthen supply chains and storage facilities.

Common Goal Across All Regions

Despite regional differences, the objectives remain largely the same—increasing productivity, strengthening market linkages, and building disaster resilience.

Results So Far

1
Since 2010, GAFSP has raised more than US$2.46 billion in donor funding.
2
This funding has been invested in the agriculture and food security sectors across 53 low-income countries.
3
This program has reached more than 39 million people, directly or indirectly.
4
More than US$1.12 billion in grants has been provided to 32 countries affected by conflict and fragility, representing a large share of GAFSP’s total funding.
5
About 41% of the project’s beneficiaries are women, reflecting GAFSP’s women-centred priority.
6
A real example is Liberia, where a US$46.5 million project has helped nearly 155,000 people by providing improved seeds, machinery, and infrastructure support in the post-war period.

Latest Funding Round

In May 2026, GAFSP launched a new US$163 million grant program (9th call for proposals). The application deadline was 15 September 2026, and approval decision is expected in January 2027.

Challenges Still Remain

GAFSP is not a panacea. The fund is still small compared to the amount of funding required each year to address the global food crisis.

1
Project implementation is difficult in remote areas.
2
Administrative complexity slows down progress.
3
Climate change has made traditional farming methods ineffective in many regions.
4
Although funding is available for war-affected regions, lasting solutions can only come through peace.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1

Does GAFSP provide grants directly to farmers?

No. The GAFSP mainly offers funds via governments, development agencies, and agricultural institutions. These projects, in turn, provide indirect benefits to the farmers through training, quality seedlings, loans among other benefits.
2

When and why was GAFSP established?

GAFSP is an organization that was founded in 2010 after the global food crisis of 2007 and 2008 by the G20 in order to improve agricultural systems in poor countries.
3

What does GAFSP’s Private Sector Window do?

It is implemented by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and works to support small and medium agribusinesses via loans, grants, and guarantees thus assisting the private sector in being more involved in agriculture.
4

Where does GAFSP’s funding come from?

The fund gets its money from different developed nations and donor organizations. It is coordinated by the World Bank, and the funds are used in projects within the country in question depending on their needs.
5

Are there any special benefits for women farmers under GAFSP?

Yes. GAFSP empowers women economically through providing them with agricultural training, funding, leadership skills, and market access.
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Disclaimer

This article has been prepared based on general and publicly available information regarding GAFSP. We are not affiliated with any wings of GAFSP.

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