The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $1.4 billion over the next four years to help farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia access innovative technologies that will enable them to adapt to increasingly extreme weather conditions, the foundation’s CEO Mark Suzman told Reuters on November 7, 2025.

This announcement comes ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where global leaders will discuss strategies to tackle climate change, including protecting agriculture and vulnerable communities most affected by climate extremes.

Focus on Climate-Resilient Farming Technologies

The funding is earmarked for technologies and initiatives designed to boost crop resilience, including:

• Soil health mapping: Using data and AI to understand soil conditions and optimize farming practices.
• Biofertilisers: Promoting plant growth using microorganisms instead of chemical fertilizers, supporting more sustainable agriculture.
• Climate-resilient crop varieties: Developing crops that can withstand drought, heat, and diseases intensified by global warming.
• Weather alerts and guidance: Programs like TomorrowNow provide farmers in Kenya, Rwanda, and other countries with real-time weather updates via text, helping optimize planting and harvesting.

“The people who have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions are often the most affected by climate extremes, threatening their ability to feed themselves and their families,” Suzman said.

Examples of Funded Innovations

The foundation has previously supported projects that are now yielding impactful results:

• The International Potato Center recently developed a new blight-resistant potato variety in Peru. By identifying wild potatoes with natural resistance and incorporating that trait into cultivated varieties, farmers at higher altitudes—where the disease is spreading due to rising temperatures—can now protect yields.
• TomorrowNow delivers critical weather information directly to farmers’ mobile phones, helping them make timely decisions to prevent losses.

Global Importance of Climate-Resilient Agriculture

A recent report by over 20 organizations, including consultancy Systemiq, highlighted that investment in crop resilience is among the most effective ways to mitigate climate-related risks to food security. The report stressed the urgent need for climate-resilient crop varieties, AI-enabled guidance, and improved forecasting technologies.

Suzman emphasized that while research and development in agriculture is strong, the true test will be ensuring that these solutions reach the world’s poorest farmers.

“The jury is still out on whether we will see that level of impact globally,” he said.

Looking Ahead

With global temperatures rising and weather patterns becoming more unpredictable, initiatives like the Gates Foundation’s $1.4 billion investment are critical for protecting smallholder farmers in developing regions. By combining innovation, data-driven insights, and sustainable practices, the foundation aims to enhance food security and build resilience against climate change, particularly for those who face the greatest risk.