Rabobank announces $1 billion sustainable food production programme

Rabobank has announced its global activation programme, ‘Kickstart Food’, to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food supply. One of the first steps in this programme will be the launch of a $1 billion facility to initiate land restoration and forest protection initiatives.

The facility is being launched in partnership with UN Environment. It marks the start of a three-year initiative to kick-start and scale up Rabobank’s support for clients and partners in the transition to a more sustainable food and agricultural sector.

The Kickstart Food initiative has four key focus areas: Earth, Waste, Stability and Nutrition. This facility is part of the first focus area: Earth, which is centered on sustainable and environmentally sound food production. The Waste programme will focus on reducing food waste throughout the food supply chain. The Stability programme aims to create a more stable and resilient food and agricultural sector. The Nutrition programme will focus on ensuing a healthy and balanced diet for everyone.

Wiebe Draijer, chairman of the executive board, says, “Our global lead role in financing food production urges us to accelerate developments on the sustainable food supply.

“With our knowledge, networks and financing capabilities we aim to further motivate and facilitate clients in adopting a more sustainable food production practice globally.

“We are proud of this major initiative with the UN Environment. We will engage others to expand the initiative. It fits very well with our mission of Growing a better world together.”

“In 33 years the world’s population will have surpassed nine billion. In the current climate this milestone has the potential to create a dilemma for the agricultural industry, with food production having to rise by 60% to accommodate for the growing needs of society,” says Tamira Treffers-Herrera, regional head at Rabobank Europe.

She adds, “We need to take bold and brave action to address these challenges straight on and that’s exactly what we’re doing at Rabobank as part of our banking for food strategy. Our latest initiative, the Kickstart Food programme, aims to speed up sustainable food production and reduce food waste throughout the food and agriculture supply chain.”

Around the globe, Rabobank states that it is actively promoting sustainability certification for its clients. The bank is also advising them on sustainable production methods and soil management. The facility together with UN Environment aims to offer grants and open the door for clients to initiate large scale land restoration and forest protection projects. It positively affects their risk profile, which leads to easier access to loans.