Potential of impact investments
Impact investments are seen as an essential part of the solution for achieving a transformation towards sustainable agriculture aligned with the UN’s SDGs. To analyze the potential of impact investments, we compiled a unique global dataset on public impact investment deals focused on agricultural development in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Our research tests: whether or not agricultural investments are reaching smallholder farmers; the extent to which these investments are offering additionality to other investments; and their potential to contribute to environmental, as opposed to solely socio-economic dimensions of sustainability per SDG 2 (“Zero Hunger”). By drawing on insights from development practitioners and impact investors, our results aim to provide not only foundational insights on their potential towards achieving the SDGs, but furthermore guidance on future avenues for increasing their holistic impact beyond a capital-intensive, commercial smallholder context.
Collaborators: Adrian Müller, ETH Zürich/FiBL Switzerland; Solen LeClech’, Wageningen University; Songbae Lee, Calvert Impact Capital; David Bresch, ETH Zürich/SwissMeteo
Agricultural research for Development
For Biovision Foundation, we systematically review the funding for agricultural research for development from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation between 2015 to 2018. Drawing on a quantitative analysis of 138 of their projects combined with qualitative interviews, we identify patterns of funding, including their contributions towards supporting more sustainable forms of agriculture.
Collaborators: Sinan Hatik, George Washington University; Stephanie Pondini and Charlotte Pavageau, Biovision Foundation, Switzerland.