ASIATODAY.ID, MILAN – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled an ambitious plan to scale up its support for food security and nutrition in Asia and the Pacific, committing a total of $40 billion between 2022 and 2030.
The expanded initiative—announced at ADB’s 58th Annual Meeting in Milan—includes an additional $26 billion in funding, reinforcing ADB’s efforts to enhance sustainable food systems, improve nutrition, and strengthen agricultural resilience across the region.
The comprehensive program will address every stage of the food value chain—from farming and processing to distribution and consumption. It aims to empower governments and businesses through financing and policy support to diversify food production, boost nutrition, create jobs, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen climate-resilient supply chains.
“Unprecedented droughts, floods, extreme heat, and degraded natural resources are undermining agricultural production, threatening food security and rural livelihoods,” said ADB President Masato Kanda, May 4, 2025.
“This expanded support will help countries alleviate hunger, improve diets, protect natural ecosystems, and create new opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.”
Building on ADB’s 2022 commitment of $14 billion by 2025, the bank has already delivered $11 billion by the end of 2024, with an additional $3.3 billion slated for 2025. The new $26 billion funding announced today comprises $18.5 billion in direct government support and $7.5 billion in private sector investments.
By 2030, ADB expects private sector contributions to make up over 27% of the total $40 billion package, underlining the critical role of businesses and innovators in driving the transformation of food systems.
More than half of the world’s undernourished population lives in developing Asia. The region’s food systems, which consume 70% of global freshwater, occupy 50% of habitable land, and account for 80% of biodiversity loss, are under mounting pressure from malnutrition, land degradation, and climate change. These systems also employ around 40% of the regional workforce, making agricultural sustainability vital for livelihoods and economic stability.
ADB’s program will focus on modernizing agricultural value chains to improve access to affordable, nutritious food for vulnerable communities. Investments will prioritize soil health, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration—all of which are essential to sustainable and productive agriculture. Additionally, the program will support the development of digital technologies and data analytics to enhance decision-making for farmers, agribusinesses, and policymakers.
To further accelerate sustainable agriculture, ADB is launching the Natural Capital Fund, a $150 million blended finance vehicle. Backed by anchor support from the Global Environment Facility and with contributions expected from partners such as the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, the fund will finance projects that protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural capital across ADB’s developing member countries.
As a leading multilateral development bank, ADB remains dedicated to fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth in Asia and the Pacific. Since its establishment in 1966, ADB—owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region—has harnessed innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to address complex development challenges, transform economies, and safeguard the planet. (AT Network)
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