Bill Gates foundation pledges $1.4 billion for farming in Africa, Asia

The Gates Foundation, co-founded by American billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, plans to invest at least $1.4 billion by 2029 to help farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia cope with the growing effects of climate change. 

The funds will go toward proven innovations—from microorganism-based biofertilizers to digital crop-planning tools—designed to protect harvests threatened by rising temperatures, floods, and droughts. The foundation said the investment is part of its effort to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns that are already cutting yields across the developing world. 

New drive to strengthen food security

The foundation disclosed that in much of Africa, where 95 percent of farmland still relies on rainfall, unpredictable seasons are putting millions of households at risk. Without major adaptation, yields of staple crops could fall between 10 and 20 percent in the coming decades, according to the International Livestock Research Institute.

The latest move will focus on improving soil health, developing new crop varieties, and supporting local research institutions. The goal, the organization says, is to strengthen food security and reduce poverty among farming families who are most vulnerable to climate shocks.

Gates Foundation plans $200 billion spend

Since its founding in 2000 by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, the foundation has become one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world. Over the past two decades, it has awarded more than 2,500 grants through 1,500 partner organizations, supporting projects in health, education, and agriculture. 

The foundation’s strength rests on major endowments from the Gates family, including a $20 billion transfer of Microsoft stock, which made it one of the world’s largest foundations. To date, it has spent $53.8 billion on global initiatives aimed at reducing inequality and improving lives.

Earlier this year, as the foundation marked its 25th anniversary, Bill Gates announced plans to spend $200 billion over the next 20 years, describing it as one of the largest philanthropic commitments in history. The foundation will gradually wind down operations by 2045, with much of the new funding directed toward African nations.