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Dear colleagues, We are excited to share with you our latest activities and achievements over the past three months. From organizing high-level events and working groups to facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges and technical training on agroecology tools, the Agri-PDB Platform continues to drive collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in sustainable rural finance. |
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| | | The Agri-PDB Platform brought together International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and National Development Banks (NDBs) worldwide by organizing a side event at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), hosted by IFAD and the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Seville, Spain, on 2 July. Previously, the Platform’s Coordinator, Thierry Latreille, attended its preparatory meeting in New York (click here to read more). The main focus was to explore ways to scale up agri-financing for rural transformation. Platform members and partners actively engaged in the discussion, including TADB, ALIDE, APRACA, AfDB, ADB, IFAD, and AFD. The discussions underscored the pivotal role of NDBs, which account for nearly two-thirds of formal global agricultural finance. |
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| | 2nd Working Group on Rural Financial Inclusion | Agricultural Insurance
On 14 July, the Platform held its second working group on rural financial inclusion, this time focusing on agricultural insurance. Co-organized with IFAD, UNDP, and researcher Carolina Trivelli, the session emphasized that insurance goes beyond risk mitigation and can act as a catalyst for inclusive finance and climate resilience. Panelists included Carolina Trivelli, Oliver Pierard (IFAD), Edgar Aguilar (UNDP), and representatives from NDBs worldwide. Looking back at the first introductory working group, the French session took place on 25 June. To revisit the English session (29 April) and the Spanish session (28 April), please visit our website. |
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| | Training on Agroecology Tools
Agroecology is a flagship area for the Platform, and PDBs are uniquely positioned to de-risk agroecological investments. To support this, the Platform delivered two technical trainings in June:
Business Agroecology Criteria Tool (B-ACT): Partnered with Biovision Foundation, two sessions (English and French) were held on 18–19 June. The training brought together 12 staff from 6 PDBs (including FINAGRO Colombia, Land Bank South Africa, ADBC China, BNDA Mali, LBA Senegal, and CAM Maroc) to explore the tool’s application in lending and ESG processes. The tool assesses agricultural value chain businesses, checking alignment with the 13 Principles of Agroecology and potential to strengthen local food systems. Banks noted challenges like upfront agroecology costs and the need to train staff and adjust procedures. Looking ahead, Biovision will support PDBs with tailored onboarding workshops, one-on-one coaching, troubleshooting clinics, and quarterly peer-learning sessions. |
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| | Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE): In partnership with FAO, two sessions (English and French) were organized on 16 and 23 June. The training engaged 20 staff from 5 PDBs (including FINAGRO, LNDC Lesotho, CDCB Benin, LBA Senegal, and CAM Maroc), who shared on-the-ground experiences and practical steps for adapting the tool into operations. TAPE measures the agroecological performance of agricultural projects and portfolios. The tool is a robust framework for evaluating the agroecological performance of agricultural projects and portfolios. Case studies from Benin were presented, together with a comprehensive FAO report detailing the methodology. Next steps will focus on peer exchange and adapting the tool into PDBs’ evaluation frameworks. |
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| Platform Survey
Since June, the Platform has been running a survey to hear directly from our members. Your insights and priorities will shape programming, peer-learning, and future initiatives. Previous surveys have already driven activities on climate change adaptation, financial inclusion, agroecological transition, green finance tools, and impact measurement (ABC-Map). Don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard! Your feedback in this round will directly guide our collective work and help us focus on what matters most to members. Click here to complete the survey, or contact us if you prefer an interview or to fill out a short Excel form. |
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| Peer-to-Peer Exchange
On 4 July, the Platform facilitated its fourth peer-to-peer exchange, between FINAGRO (Colombia) and the Tanzania Agriculture Development Bank (TADB). TADB presented its comprehensive approach to development finance, including its AFD partnership, and addressed FINAGRO’s questions on monitoring and evaluation. The exchange highlighted TADB’s innovative credit instruments, climate-smart initiatives, and capacity-building programs, offering FINAGRO practical strategies to strengthen its systems and adopt more cost-efficient approaches to long-term agricultural finance. |
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| AFD Subsidy
The Platform has received €1 million in funding from Agence Française de Développement (AFD). This contribution will expand and enhance the volume and quality of the Platform’s activities dedicated to agricultural public development banks. The objective is to complement and scale up the work undertaken to date with support from other donors. The initiative will run for approximately three years, with a particular focus on non-ACP countries. |
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| | | Want to explore more about Agri-PDB Platform? Follow us on our website, YouTube and LinkedIn! |
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