Strong agricultural value chains create livelihoods, increase incomes, and promote economic growth. By supporting development of domestic industries, improving local markets, and expanding export opportunities, IRD’s interventions focus on enabling all actors along the value chain – including farmers, input suppliers, wholesalers, transporters, food processors, and lending institutions – to become viable partners in their countries’ economies, generate employment, and improve food security.

AgriTrade, a commercial lending facility funded by USAID and implemented by Fintrac and IRD, extends credit to traders and agribusinesses working with small farms. Loans support contract arrangements between traders and farms, encouraging the commercialization of farmers' output. Farmers use the extra cash from the traders to purchase additional seeds and other agricultural inputs and processing equipment, which in turn increases their yields and income for their families and communities.

Building resilience and long-term food security for people in the Horn of Africa and in Niger during times of severe drought. These stories highlight programs funded by USAID and the UN World Food Program. They also highlight the importance of private donors in achieving our shared vision for food security.