USAID: Advancing Equality in Agricultural Supply Chains
A public-private partnership is set to reshape agricultural supply chains by promoting gender equality and sustainability.
Spearheaded by USAID and joined by leading companies including PepsiCo, Unilever, Danone, McCormick & Company and Nespresso, the initiative, Advancing Women for Resilient Agricultural Supply Chains, focuses on addressing systemic barriers women face in agriculture.
The effort builds on the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) initiative, launched by Vice President Kamala Harris in 2023 to support women’s economic security in sectors tied to climate change.
By tackling inequality and enhancing resilience in supply chains, the partnership hopes to set a new standard for sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices.
The partnership begins with a US$50m investment, including more than US$11m from USAID and aims to expand to US$90m within five years.
It seeks to demonstrate how supporting women in agricultural supply chains can align with environmental goals.
Women are essential to global agriculture, producing much of the world’s food.
Yet, they often lack access to critical resources like land ownership, financing and market opportunities. These disparities weaken agricultural supply chains affecting productivity and sustainability.
The initiative prioritises scaling proven strategies, sharing knowledge and integrating new organisations to ensure that the benefits reach more communities. By empowering women, supply chains can become more resilient, environmentally sustainable and economically productive.
Addressing core challenges
The reliance on women in agriculture, coupled with their unequal access to resources, presents both challenges and opportunities. Studies show that closing gender gaps in supply chains can significantly enhance agricultural productivity and environmental outcomes.
This partnership aims to create a model for inclusive supply chains by providing women farmers and workers with training, access to markets and opportunities to lead. The approach strengthens the entire supply chain, from production to distribution, creating systems less vulnerable to disruptions.
According to USAID, the programme will also serve as a blueprint for how gender-inclusive practices can lead to better environmental and economic outcomes.
By targeting these systemic barriers, the partnership not only advances women’s empowerment but addresses the pressing need for sustainable supply chains.
Expanding commitments across industries
In parallel, USAID is increasing its focus on gender equity in climate finance through the Climate Gender Equity Fund.
The fund, supported by partners like Amazon and Reckitt, ensures women-led organisations have access to resources that help drive sustainable innovations.
These efforts complement the agricultural supply chain initiative by addressing interconnected challenges. From land rights to energy access, women’s inclusion across all supply chains strengthens their efficiency and sustainability.
In total, USAID and its partners have mobilised more than US$681m in new commitments toward advancing WISE objectives, with a total investment of US$2bn.
The collaboration spans governments, corporations and civil society, all working to transform supply chains into drivers of gender equity and environmental stewardship.
Driving long-term supply chain resilience
The potential for long-term impact is substantial. By equipping women with the tools and opportunities they need, supply chains can better withstand challenges like climate change and global disruptions.
Initiatives like Advancing Women for Resilient Agricultural Supply Chains not only close gender gaps but also build stronger, more adaptive networks.
As supply chains evolve to meet modern demands, programmes like this demonstrate that equity and sustainability go hand in hand.
USAID Administrator, Samantha Power, summed it up best: “Empowering women strengthens economies, communities and ecosystems.”
By focusing on supply chains, the partnership tackles some of the most entrenched barriers to progress, creating a ripple effect that benefits industries, families and the planet.
Explore the latest edition of Supply Chain Digital Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Supply Chain Digital is a BizClik brand.
