World Bank Pledges To Make Agriculture A Global Driver Of Jobs & Growth
By ANITA KNIGHT
WORLD Bank Group President Ajay Banga says the Bank is committed to transforming agriculture into a viable business that generates jobs, income, and food security worldwide.
Speaking at the AgriConnect Flagship Event during the 2025 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington, Banga said smallholder farmers are central to global development and must be empowered with technology, finance, and market access.
He noted that while 1.2 billion young people will enter the workforce in developing countries over the next 15 years, only about 400 million jobs are expected, underscoring the need for agribusiness-driven employment.
The World Bank plans to double its agribusiness investment to $9 billion annually by 2030, mobilising an additional $5 billion to boost productivity, strengthen value chains, and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers.
