AGRA, GCF join forces to curb food loss and strengthen climate resilience in Africa

AFRICA – The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has partnered with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to implement a large-scale initiative aimed at reducing food loss and enhancing climate resilience across seven African nations. 

With an approved grant of US$105 million, this initiative, known as RE-GAIN, will drive sustainable agricultural practices, strengthen smallholder farmers’ adaptation to climate change, and improve food security.

Strengthening smallholder farmers and food systems

RE-GAIN is the first GCF-backed program dedicated to food loss reduction in Africa. 

The initiative will focus on equipping smallholder farmers, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and rural communities with innovative post-harvest solutions to minimize food loss. 

Farmers in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia will gain access to essential technologies and financing, ensuring that more food reaches markets instead of going to waste.

The program aligns with the GCF’s mission to accelerate climate action while addressing food system inefficiencies. 

By promoting the large-scale adoption of food loss reduction solutions (FL-RS), RE-GAIN will not only support smallholders but also reduce the carbon footprint of agri-food systems in participating countries.

Public-private partnerships driving change

A key aspect of RE-GAIN is its focus on fostering public-private partnerships to build resilient food systems. 

AGRA will invest in strengthening the capacity of small businesses that support smallholder farmers with access to post-harvest equipment and innovative solutions. 

This will enable farmers to reduce losses, improve incomes, and contribute to economic stability in the agricultural sector.

By enhancing access to financing and promoting context-specific agricultural innovations, RE-GAIN aims to create a climate-resilient economy while supporting African countries in meeting their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) emissions reduction targets by 2030.

Global support for local impact

The approval of RE-GAIN under GCF’s pilot Project-Specific Assessment Approach (PSAA) highlights a growing emphasis on streamlining access to climate financing. 

Henry Gonzalez, Chief Investment Officer at GCF, emphasized the significance of this model in reducing transaction costs and expediting the deployment of climate finance.

“The approval of this project demonstrates how the PSAA modality continues to accelerate access to GCF resources, reduce transaction costs, and facilitate the implementation of innovative climate projects with new partners,” Gonzalez stated.

Dr. Agnes Kalibata, President of AGRA, welcomed the partnership, emphasizing its role in securing Africa’s agricultural future.

“This collaboration with GCF represents a major step forward in our commitment to building climate-resilient food systems. Investing in smallholder farmers and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to adapt to climate challenges will pave the way for a more sustainable and food-secure Africa,” she said.

Tackling food loss for a resilient future

Food loss remains one of the biggest obstacles to food security, farmer incomes, and climate resilience in Africa. 

Smallholder farmers often face post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage facilities, limited access to markets, and policy gaps. 

With nearly five million people set to benefit directly from RE-GAIN, the initiative is positioned to address these challenges head-on.