Financing Agri-Food Systems: A Key to Climate Resilience
During the second panel of the 25th edition of the Economist Forum, "Food Sovereignty in the New Geopolitics," moderated by Karim Kharrat, co-founder and CEO of Be Wireless Solutions, the focus shifted to financing agri-food systems. Two experts in the field, Alexandre Borde, partner at Cibola Partners, and Lotfi Debbabi, CEO of QNB, shared their insightful perspectives.
At the heart of the debates, the burning question of "financing agri-food systems" to counter climate risks took center stage, given that agriculture remains a significant contributor to CO2 emissions. Jean-Michel Severino, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of I&P, highlighted this issue in a striking manner. Alexandre Borde elaborated on the dual essential role of agriculture: reducing its impact on the climate while acting as a key element for carbon sequestration. He also emphasized the abundance of available financing in the climate domain, aimed at anticipating the repercussions of climate change on agri-food systems. These repercussions can be significant, with potential yield losses of up to 20% in the agricultural sector. The fundamental question that arises is: how to protect against such consequences? The answer lies in strategic investments, particularly in agronomic research.
During the panel, Alexandre Borde referenced a study indicating that approximately $2 billion per year in agronomic research investments would be necessary to address climate challenges and adapt.
What are the prerequisites for Tunisia to benefit from these financings? In response to the CEO of Be Wireless Solutions, Borde stressed that identifying the most sensitive points in the agricultural sector is an essential first step. Funders generally prefer to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), so it is crucial to demonstrate added value. This means concretely financing initiatives targeting small farmers or agricultural cooperatives. This approach requires meticulous and organized preparation.
It is evident that justifying the vulnerability of each sector and supply chain is essential to access these financings, a process that has proven to be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Watch the live session: https://fb.watch/rGjknzYwVD/ https://fb.watch/rGjl7UcYdP/
