Sustainability

Clarmondial AG has partnered with Duff & Phelps Management Company S.A.R.L. and Pictet Asset Services for the imminent launch of a new credit fund focused on sustainable agriculture.

The funds will be used to improve sustainability of Adecoagro’s rice, oilseed and dairy operations in Argentina amid recent improvements in the agribusiness environment.

An infusion of $8m in capital will help fund research into seed treatments and soil additives designed to increase agricultural yield.

A $10m loan from FMO will be used to help support farmers in Paraguay and help ensure sustainability in the nation's agribusiness sector.

At the Agri Investor forum in Chicago last week, delegates discussed the convergence of financial, environmental and social governance considerations in agricultural investments worldwide.

Report says $320bn of investment could be worth $3.2trn annually and could generate 80 million jobs by 2030.

The Swiss firm's impact investment arm has committed an undisclosed amount of capital to Shared-X, which works with smallholders in emerging markets.

Following a N$300m commitment from the Government Institutions Pensions Fund Namibia, the fund expects to raise a further N$150m from local pension funds.

The financing programme targets farm machinery upgrades and more energy efficient infrastructure.

The IFC thinks its investment in a project increase Yangxiang's herd size and capacity will help the company improve food safety standards.