Investing in the Future of Agrifood Systems: New directions for development finance
Read the 2025 Annual General Assembly Report
This report captures key insights from the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development’s 2025 Annual General Assembly, hosted by the European Commission in Brussels.
Set against a backdrop of constrained official development assistance (ODA), evolving financing models, and shifting geopolitical priorities, the discussions focused on how development partners can continue to support agrifood systems effectively in a changing landscape.
A central message emerged: agrifood systems are not a niche development issue. They are fundamental to economic stability, climate resilience, trade, health, and global security—and must be positioned accordingly within political and financial agendas.
The report explores:
- How the role of ODA is evolving alongside blended and private finance
- Why stronger coordination, data, and evidence are critical to impact
- The growing importance of public development banks and national institutions
- Practical approaches to catalysing investment across agrifood systems
- Structural barriers to youth engagement, particularly access to land and finance
- The role of agrifood systems in strengthening multilateral cooperation
Looking ahead, the report outlines key priorities for donors and partners, including positioning food systems as strategic investments, improving coordination, and scaling impact through more effective use of existing resources.
Investing in agrifood systems is not just a development priority—it is a strategic investment in global stability.
