COVID-19 Response
COVID-19 underlined the vulnerability of global agriculture and food systems. Global hunger increased under the shadow of COVID-19, and close to 12 percent of the global population – over 900 million people – were severely food insecure in 2020.
When COVID-19 hit, GAFSP was quick to respond to the threats of hunger, malnutrition, and disrupted livelihoods that accompanied the pandemic by supporting locally-led solutions and existing projects to mitigate impacts and work towards recovery. While responding to immediate needs is essential, GAFSP focuses on strengthening the long-term performance, resilience, and sustainability of agriculture and food systems.
Immediate Response
In 2020, GAFSP allocated close to $60 million in additional funding to 16 public sector and producer organization-led projects to top up or re-purpose projects. Smallholders were able to access agricultural inputs, receive training on post-harvest techniques, and gain better access to local and national markets.
Long-term Response
In 2021, GAFSP allocated $121 million in public sector grants to 9 countries and, for the first time, $30 million in grants to producer organizations in 12 countries, to strengthen sustainable food systems in response to rising food insecurity linked to COVID-19, climate change, and increasing conflict.
Private Sector Financing
Through the Private Sector Window, GAFSP supported clients with restructuring, working capital, and short-term funding to help them stay afloat as COVID-19 pressures rose. We also provided advisory support to clients who were forced to reconfigure their operations and digitize supply chains.
COVID-19 Response Stories
How smallholder farmers bounced back during the health crisis
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, GAFSP was able to respond quickly and flexibly to the emerging crisis – providing much needed financing that allowed farmers to design and implement the interventions which worked best for them.
How Investing in the Bigger Picture Has Paid off in Bangladesh
When COVID-19 hit Bangladesh, Rita Brommo was among the smallholder farmers concerned about how the global pandemic would impact their communities. In addition to the health concerns, there was also anxiety about food security and income generation. Without being able to move around to sell produce, how would farmers be able to earn enough money to put food on the table?
Getting Ahead of the Crisis in Lao PDR
Ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit, it is clear that while food systems urgently need to be transformed to better support both human and planetary health, transformed food systems must also be resilient to future shocks. The GAFSP continues to work with vulnerable communities and smallholder farmers like Mo Ya, to safeguard their capacity to withstand the impact of external shocks.
Banking on Partnerships for a Digital Future
E-Granary, a mobile communication and payment system, creates a virtual space for brokering commercial partnerships and contracts between farmers, buyers, and input dealers while connecting farmers with financial services at low transaction costs. The platform is used by more than 38,000 farmers, almost half of them women.