Agriculture is a major driver of climate change and is also highly affected by it, threatening livelihoods and food security.
Multiple innovations could provide cost-effective solutions to help millions of farmers adapt to climate change, while reducing the climate impact of agriculture. However, new mechanisms are needed to take those innovations to scale in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The Agriculture Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) develops tailored packages and mobilizes investments to bring cost-effective, scalable innovations to hundreds of millions of farmers.
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Interlinked crises of climate change, food security, and agriculture
Agriculture and food systems generate roughly a quarter to a third of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While most GHGs are produced in high-income countries, their adverse effects are felt disproportionately in lower-income countries. Small-scale producers are among those most vulnerable to climate risks. In 2023, some 864 million people experienced severe food insecurity, an increase of over 300 million from 2014.
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The need for scalable innovations
Achieving the necessary scale to address these challenges in LMICs requires innovative approaches. Agricultural research and development (R&D) is concentrated in high-income and some upper-middle-income countries, resulting in innovations often designed for those markets. For example, while there are over 5,000 patents for the European maize borer, there are only five for the maize stalk borer, a pest that impacts production in sub-Saharan Africa. Investing in innovation carries risks and demands resources for refinement, testing, and large-scale evaluation, as well as for developing supportive policy environments.
AIM for Scale introduces a vertical fund-style approach to the food systems space, creating tailored innovation packages to scale up solutions through partnerships with key players in climate, food security, and agriculture.
AIM for Scale introduces a vertical fund-style approach to the food systems space, creating tailored innovation packages to scale up solutions through partnerships with key players in climate, food security, and agriculture.
Coordinated efforts by public and philanthropic funders can address critical funding and operational gaps to support climate-vulnerable populations in LMICs. Targeted investments in innovations with rigorous evidence of impact and cost-effectiveness, and a clear pathway to scale, could help reach hundreds of millions of farmers affected by climate change.