The Gates Foundation has announced a four-year, $1.4 billion commitment to climate adaptation initiatives, aimed at supporting smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The announcement was made at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where global leaders emphasized the importance of locally led solutions to climate-related challenges. The funding focuses on increasing access to innovations that help farmers manage the growing risks of droughts, floods, heat, and other extreme weather events. Smallholder farmers in these regions are among the most affected by climate pressures, despite receiving a relatively small share of global climate finance.
The new commitment aligns with the foundation’s broader goal of reducing poverty and improving food security by 2045. The initiative addresses concerns that farmers in low-income regions face, as they are increasingly threatened by threats that could reverse progress made in reducing hunger and strengthening rural livelihoods. Research estimates suggest that targeted climate adaptation strategies have the potential to boost economic development and yield significant long-term social and economic benefits. The foundation is positioning this investment as part of a global call for coordinated support from governments and the private sector.
A significant portion of the investment will focus on expanding farmer-led, evidence-backed agricultural practices and technologies. The approach includes increasing support for climate-resilient crop and livestock varieties, developing digital tools that offer planting and weather guidance, and improving soil health through collaborative research partnerships. These approaches build on existing initiatives already reaching millions of farmers and showing measurable outcomes in improving yields and reducing climate-related crop losses.
The announcement also highlights ongoing partnerships with organizations that are developing and scaling agricultural innovations in multiple countries. Examples include providing hyper-local weather forecasts to farmers in East Africa and expanding mobile-based advisory networks designed to reach rural communities. These partnerships aim to strengthen agricultural systems at local, regional, and national levels, fostering long-term resilience in food production.
The commitment reflects cooperation between the Gates Foundation and a range of global institutions, including government ministries, research organizations, and agricultural innovation networks. The foundation will co-host the Agricultural Innovation Showcase at COP30 in collaboration with partners from Brazil, Africa, Asia, and the United Arab Emirates. The showcase will spotlight solutions designed to be affordable and directly applicable to real-world farming conditions. The initiative aims to support farmers’ ability to make informed decisions and adapt to rapidly changing climate environments.
KEY QUOTES:
“Smallholder farmers are feeding their communities under the toughest conditions imaginable. We’re supporting their ingenuity with the tools and resources to help them thrive—because investing in their resilience is one of the smartest, most impactful things we can do for people and the planet.”
Bill Gates, Chair of the Gates Foundation
“Climate adaptation is not just a development issue—it’s an economic and moral imperative. This new commitment builds on our support for farmers in Africa and South Asia who are already innovating to withstand extreme weather. But they can’t do it alone—governments and the private sector must work together to prioritize adaptation alongside mitigation.”
Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation
“We’ve seen what’s possible when smallholder farmers have access to the right tools and resources—they adapt faster than anyone. With the right investment and strong partnerships, we can put powerful, data-driven solutions directly in farmers’ hands—so they can make informed decisions and build resilience on their own terms.”
Wanjeri Mbugua, CEO of TomorrowNow
