Resource information
By 2050, it is estimated that the
world s agricultural system will need to produce
approximately 50 percent more food to feed an estimated 9
billion people. In emerging markets, agriculture is the most
important economic sector and source of employment; more
specifically, 75 percent of the world s poor live in rural
areas and depend on agriculture for their incomes. With
volatility in food prices putting additional pressure on
social and political systems, increasing global demand for
scarce resources, widespread droughts, and rising concerns
over food safety issues, sustainable agricultural
development is an urgent priority. IFC also contributes to
transforming agribusiness at the country level by working
with groups of smallholders and industry associations. For
instance, IFC has helped to upgrade the operations of
Cambodian rice farmers and millers so that their national
industry can compete on an international level. In the
following pages, there will be numerous illustrations of the
work that we do with our private sector clients, typically
combining finance and advice. This powerful combination of
money and knowledge helps our clients not only sustain but
also grow their businesses, thereby paving the way for
robust job creation, growth, and positive environmental and
social benefits.
