Agribusiness & Food Security Initiative

The Agribusiness and Food Security Initiative is a financing program from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) that supports private sector-led investments in food security and agricultural development in emerging markets.

DFC provides loans, loan guarantees, and equity investments ranging from ,000,000 to ,000,000 to expand food production, modernize food supply chains, and improve storage and transportation infrastructure. Priority areas include supporting smallholder farmers, agri-tech platforms, food manufacturing and processing, and agricultural lending programs in developing countries.

Eligible applicants are private sector companies and investment funds operating in DFC-eligible countries. No fixed deadline; DFC accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Food Security and Agribusiness | DFC Food Security and Agribusiness Food Security and Agribusiness DFC investments in agriculture support smallholder farmers and help mitigate the impacts of food insecurity. Food security is fundamental to global stability.

At a time when billions of people around the world lack access to sufficient food, DFC investments in food security and agribusiness advance U.S. national security by fostering global stability. DFC invests to expand food production and to support innovative businesses that are modernizing food supply chains with more efficient ways to manufacture, store, and transport food.

Improving farm productivity in India with digital solutions Investing in food security in Niger Improving food security and export capacity in Moldova Modernizing the food industry in Georgia Transporting food supplies and fertilizer through Central Asia Helping Vietnam modernize and grow its aquaculture industry De-risking small business and agriculture loans in Malawi Creating jobs in Namibia’s agriculture sector A DFC investment is supporting agri-tech platforms designed to help millions of farmers access vital information and enabling the purchase of seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs needed to enhance their yields and expand their market reach.

A DFC loan guaranty will help Orabank Niger increase lending to SMEs in the agriculture, livestock, and food value chain sectors, which currently account for just one percent of the bank’s portfolio. Financing supported the construction of a new grain loading terminal and an oilseed crushing facility.

The project has significantly improved Moldova’s storage logistics and processing infrastructure while also increasing the quality of local food supplies, creating jobs and enabling Moldova’s agriculture sector to reach growing export markets.

A $10 million loan helped Sante GMT modernize and increase dairy production by establishing a network of milk collection centers around the country, update a processing facility and expand beyond milk production into a line of juices, yogurts, cheeses and dessert foods.

In addition to enhancing the country’s food supply, the project provides income for thousands of rural family farmers who previously had no way of selling milk produced on their land. DFC financing supported the expansion and modernization of the Poti New Sea Port, which began operations in early 2022.

DFC's support helped develop a new marine terminal to accommodate larger vessels up to 253 meters in length carrying up to 50,000 tons of cargo. The financing is also supporting additional storage facilities and transportation infrastructure including a modern hydraulic system needed to support expanded operations.

Financing enabled Australis Aquaculture to create an open fish farm in Van Phong Bay, Vietnam, where it is raising barramundi, also known as Asian sea bass, a local fish that has a high nutritional value and is enjoying growing popularity around the world.

In addition to introducing open aquaculture to Vietnam, enabling fish to swim freely in offshore net pens, the company has adopted fishing techniques that reduce food waste and methane emissions. Australis also worked with a nearby veterinary research institute to manufacture fish vaccines locally. A $5 million DFC loan portfolio guaranty is helping NBS Bank increase lending to micro and small businesses in Malawi.

Political risk insurance is supporting SilverStreet Private Equity’s investment in two vineyards that grow table grapes in Aussenkehr, a fertile region of the country that borders on South Africa. Water from the Orange River is used to irrigate the vineyards and the optimal conditions mean the grapes mature rapidly.