Food systems are deeply implicated in contemporary poly-crisis, contributing to ecological deterioration, climate change, declining public health, and persistent food insecurity. Calls for food system transformation urge us to step back, critically examine business-as-usual, and embrace bold alternatives. This report examines how public development banks (PDBs) intersect with growing calls to transform food systems toward sustainability and equity.

PDBs are government-backed financial institutions that are mandated to advance public policy goals by financing projects in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, and small businesses. Globally, more than 500 PDBs operate, collectively accounting for about 10% of global finance or roughly USD 2.2 trillion annually. Beyond their financial weight, PDBs shape development norms and agendas through “soft power,” including loan conditionality, technical support, and institutional and policy influence. Given this influence, PDBs have the potential to play a critical role in addressing climate change, food security challenges, global inequity, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In agriculture and food systems, PDBs have increasingly sought to align their operations with sustainability agendas while supporting productivity, food access, and economic growth.