Practical Insights on AgriTech

AgriTech has emerged as an important area of investment for international donors in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) as they look to support sustainable agriculture and food security in these regions.

International donors have recognized the potential of AgriTech to drive innovation, increase productivity, and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers and rural communities.

A growing number of international donors are investing in AgriTech initiatives across LMICs, with a focus on developing and scaling technology-based solutions that can help to address the challenges facing these communities.

World Bank AgriTech Funding

One major international donor investing in AgriTech is the World Bank. The World Bank has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting the use of technology in agriculture, such as the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Through these initiatives, the World Bank provides funding and technical assistance to AgriTech startups and businesses in LMICs, as well as to governments and other stakeholders working to promote the use of technology in agriculture.

The World Bank also provides support for the development of AgriTech hubs, innovation centers, and other initiatives aimed at promoting the growth of the AgriTech sector in LMICs.

Gates Foundation AgriTech Funding

Another important international donor investing in AgriTech is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation has made a significant commitment to supporting AgriTech initiatives that aim to increase productivity and food security in LMICs, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The foundation provides funding and technical assistance to AgriTech startups and businesses, and works with a wide range of partners, including governments, universities, and other organizations, to promote the development and use of technology in agriculture.

USAID AgriTech Funding

In addition to these major international donors, a number of bilateral and multilateral organizations are also investing in AgriTech across LMICs.

For example, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides funding and technical assistance to AgriTech initiatives aimed at increasing productivity and food security in LMICs.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is another key player in this area, providing funding and technical assistance to AgriTech initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and rural communities in LMICs.

Private Sector AgriTech Investment

International donors are also investing in AgriTech through impact investment funds and venture capital firms. These funds and firms are focused on supporting AgriTech startups and businesses that have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of smallholder farmers and rural communities in LMICs.

These investments help to provide early-stage financing for AgriTech startups and businesses, and provide a pathway for the growth and scaling of these initiatives.

Digital Agriculture Investments

International donors are playing a critical role in investing in AgriTech across LMICs, with a focus on supporting sustainable agriculture and food security.

The World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and a number of bilateral and multilateral organizations are leading the way in this area, providing funding and technical assistance to AgriTech startups and businesses, as well as to governments and other stakeholders working to promote the use of technology in agriculture.

By working together, these international donors can help to drive innovation, increase productivity, and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers and rural communities in LMICs.

ICTworks Profile of Esoko: Bringing the Market to Africa’s Fingertips

ICTworks Profile of Esoko: Bringing the Market to Africa’s Fingertips

Published on: Oct 04 2011 by Tsega Belachew - 1 Comment
It was a normal day by Accra standards. I walked out of the house ready to make my way to the center of town for an interview with a homegrown tech company; Esoko....
iPads in Rural Agriculture: Glitz Toys or ICT4Ag Business Tool?

iPads in Rural Agriculture: Glitz Toys or ICT4Ag Business Tool?

Published on: Sep 28 2011 by Tyrone Hall - Comments Off on iPads in Rural Agriculture: Glitz Toys or ICT4Ag Business Tool?
This month’s Technology Salon ICT4Ag – Enriching rural coffee farmers via iPads raised a couple of eyebrows from the outset. How can Exprima Media and...
Mobile Computing in 1960s Taiwan: A Personal History of ICT in Economic Development

Mobile Computing in 1960s Taiwan: A Personal History of ICT in Economic Development

Published on: Sep 16 2011 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Mobile Computing in 1960s Taiwan: A Personal History of ICT in Economic Development
I am Alice Liu and I was working in the technology sector in California when I became interested in international development. I made the transition in 2005 and...
Two Questions on the Sustainability of Grameen’s Android App for Farmers

Two Questions on the Sustainability of Grameen’s Android App for Farmers

Published on: Sep 14 2011 by Tyrone Hall - 6 Comments
The Grameen Foundation Center launched a comprehensive Android phone-based project for Ugandan smallholder farmers recently, that could significantly improve farming...
Agriculture: A knowledge-based Industry

Agriculture: A knowledge-based Industry

Published on: Sep 09 2011 by Tyrone Hall - 1 Comment
Enriching rural coffee farmers with educational videos via iPads Getting the right information to farmers, when and where they need it, in a form (language and...
Killing the Question Box Hardware to Save the Open Mind Mission

Killing the Question Box Hardware to Save the Open Mind Mission

Published on: Aug 24 2011 by Guest Writer - 3 Comments
var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true}; By 2007, the Internet had radically changed the social and economic landscape in the developed world. However,...
Organic Farming Training in rural Kenya – an ICT approach to knowledge dissemination

Organic Farming Training in rural Kenya – an ICT approach to knowledge dissemination

Published on: May 11 2011 by Ignatz Heinz - 1 Comment
Biovision Foundation is a Swiss non-profit organization with a global mission to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of rural people in Africa while maintaining...
The Bi-Weekly ICT4D Retrospective: March II

The Bi-Weekly ICT4D Retrospective: March II

Published on: Mar 29 2011 by Ritse Erumi - Comments Off on The Bi-Weekly ICT4D Retrospective: March II
Welcome to the ICTworks bi-weekly ICT4D Retrospective, where we condense the last two weeks of news into a succinct list of links for your perusal. If you want your...
Radio Communautaire et centre multimedia dans une zone rurale du Burkina Faso

Radio Communautaire et centre multimedia dans une zone rurale du Burkina Faso

Published on: Mar 25 2011 by Mouhamadou Ly - Comments Off on Radio Communautaire et centre multimedia dans une zone rurale du Burkina Faso
Fondé sur un rapport final de projet ainsi que de conclusions résumant plusieurs réunions de groupes de réflexions, ce rapport est destiné à tous les acteurs...
USAID Lessons Learned in ICT for Distribution and Supply Chain Management in sub-Saharan African Agriculture

USAID Lessons Learned in ICT for Distribution and Supply Chain Management in sub-Saharan African Agriculture

Published on: Mar 23 2011 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on USAID Lessons Learned in ICT for Distribution and Supply Chain Management in sub-Saharan African Agriculture
Using ICT to manage distribution and supply chains can increase efficiency and predictability and reduce waste in value chains and have positive impacts on all market...