The CGIAR Scaling Fund has announced its 2026 cohort, comprising eight agricultural innovations across ten countries. The fund aims to address the finance and delivery gaps that hinder the scaling of proven farming solutions. By providing catalytic grants, technical support, and structured peer learning, the fund seeks to create a pipeline of tested solutions in farming, water, and restoration, including livestock and fisheries. This initiative spans seven CGIAR Centres and offers investors a clearer understanding of the potential for growth.
The CGIAR Scaling Fund targets the "valley of death" in agriculture, which refers to the gap between a successful trial and sustained use at scale. Many technologies have shown promise in controlled projects, but expansion requires fresh finance, committed delivery partners, and public-sector backing. The fund supports the systems around each innovation, rather than just the technology itself. This approach is crucial for funders assessing execution risk, as it provides a more comprehensive understanding of the innovation's potential for success.
One example of the innovations backed by the CGIAR Scaling Fund is My Farm Trees, developed by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. This platform has enabled 9,000 farmers to plant 440,000 trees across 4,500 hectares. The platform has been implemented through 30 projects in 14 countries, linking seed systems, nurseries, and farmers, while supporting monitoring and performance-based digital payments. The Kenya Ministry of Environment and Forestry is integrating the platform into national verification systems, and the World Bank is investing in its digital infrastructure.
Another innovation backed by the fund is Rwanda's Smart Nkunganire System Fertiliser Recommendation Tool. This system serves 3.2 million registered farmers and over 3,000 agro-dealers, linking public institutions with BK Techouse. The next phase of the project requires support for three core components and a sustainable national advisory service. The fund's support will help to strengthen the system's ability to provide fertiliser advice to farmers, improving agricultural productivity and reducing waste.
In Tanzania and Nigeria, the AKILIMO project combines rice advice with cassava support. Led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, alongside the International Rice Research Institute and AfricaRice, the project has developed RiceAdviceLite, a platform working with over 100 cassava value-chain partners. This partner base can improve distribution where public extension services remain stretched, increasing the reach of the innovation and its potential impact.
The CGIAR Scaling Fund's support for agricultural innovations also extends to Ghana, where the Solar-Based Irrigation Bundle uses pay-as-you-go finance to address irrigation's upfront equipment costs. Wider adoption of this innovation requires private investment, suitable policy, and inclusive finance. The fund's support will help to create an enabling environment for the innovation to scale, improving agricultural productivity and reducing poverty.
The CGIAR Scaling Fund's 2026 cohort includes a range of innovations aimed at improving agricultural productivity, reducing poverty, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. By providing catalytic grants, technical support, and structured peer learning, the fund is helping to bridge the finance and delivery gaps that hinder the scaling of proven farming solutions. The fund's support will have a significant impact on the lives of millions of farmers and their communities, contributing to a more food-secure future.
Key points
- The CGIAR Scaling Fund has selected eight agricultural innovations across ten countries to bridge finance and delivery gaps in farming solutions.
- The fund targets the "valley of death" in agriculture, supporting systems around innovations rather than just the technology itself.
- The fund's support will help to create a pipeline of tested solutions in farming, water, and restoration, including livestock and fisheries.
