World Bank Launches $9 Billion AgriConnect Plan to Transform Smallholder Farming and Boost Global Food Security
At the ongoing Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Washington on Tuesday, the World Bank announced a renewed global push to boost food production and job creation under its AgriConnect initiative.
According to information obtained by PulseNets, the AgriConnect project is designed to transform smallholder farming, generate employment opportunities, and strengthen global food security through innovation and investment.
A senior World Bank official told PulseNets, “Over 500 million smallholder farmers feed much of the world, yet many remain trapped in poverty due to limited access to modern tools, finance, and markets. AgriConnect is about breaking that cycle — empowering these farmers to become commercially viable and self-sustaining.”
The initiative, PulseNets learnt, targets the twin challenges of rising unemployment and growing food demand. The Bank noted that 1.2 billion young people are expected to join the workforce in developing nations over the next decade, while the world will require 30% more food by 2050.
“Meeting this future demand means reimagining agriculture as a true engine of opportunity and prosperity,” the institution was quoted as saying.
In a bold move, the World Bank has pledged to double its annual investment in agribusiness to $9 billion, positioning the sector as a powerful tool to feed an estimated 10 billion people and tackle global poverty and unemployment.
Documents obtained by PulseNets further revealed that the Bank’s strategy involves a holistic approach — improving rural infrastructure, supporting government policies, and unlocking private capital to drive long-term growth.
“Our mission is to build an ecosystem of agricultural growth that creates jobs, lifts incomes, and secures food for millions,” another source within the Bank told PulseNets. “This involves upgrading infrastructure, digital access, irrigation, roads, and skills so agribusinesses can thrive. We are also helping governments attract private investments while reducing systemic risks.”
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The World Bank also plans to expand financing opportunities across the agricultural value chain, ensuring that both smallholders and agri-enterprises have the support needed to scale sustainably.
“Mobilising private capital and improving access to credit will ensure that every farmer and agri-business can succeed in this evolving global economy,” the statement added.
