SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme

The FAO SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme supported eleven purpose-driven small and medium-sized enterprises from low-income countries across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific in scaling their businesses while accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Participating enterprises were selected for their commitment to agrifood systems transformation, with business models designed to advance environmental sustainability, local economic development, and the empowerment of women and marginalized communities, contributing to multiple SDGs simultaneously.

Through personalized one-on-one mentoring and a comprehensive toolkit of resources, the Programme helped enterprises strengthen investment strategies, marketing approaches, and financial planning, enabling them to expand operations, diversify markets, and drive innovation. A dedicated methodology for tracking and assessing social and environmental impact ensured accountability and transparency in SDG contributions, while peer-learning workshops and networking events connected innovators with like-minded enterprises and experts, fostering collaborations with the potential for lasting systemic change.

From hydroponic hop production in South Africa and conservation coffee in Uganda, to AI-assisted precision rice farming in Thailand and indigenous grain processing in Ghana, the Programme demonstrated that local agrifood innovators, given the right support, can generate transformative impact both at the community level and in the broader pursuit of the 2030 Agenda. Implemented with the technical support of SEED, the Programme offers a replicable and evidence-based model for engaging the private sector in sustainable agrifood systems transformation.

Click here to access additional information on the initiative.