Banks: New platform to promote ecological investments in food industry

(ANSA) - Rome, October 19 - A new platform will boost inclusive, ecological investments in agriculture and in food production, packaging and transport activities, going "from farms to consumers", as part of a project announced on Tuesday at the 'Finance in Common' summit.
    The project launched by over 20 public development banks was created thanks to an initiative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD) and top Italian investment bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP).
    "With investments totalling nearly two-thirds of formal funding in agriculture, public development banks can have a huge impact on the lives of rural populations and ensure the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices, which at the same time can help small farmers adapt to climate change and earn more", said IFAD President Gilbert F. Houngbo.
    He added: "the platform is a concrete and important step towards this change".
    The creation of a platform for ecological and inclusive food systems was announced at the start of the two-day summit that brings together representatives of governments, public development banks, international financial institutions, private companies, leading members of civil society and farmers' organizations.
    It will help public development banks to boost their investments and promote more ecological and inclusive food systems, in line with - and contributing to reach - the sustainable development targets set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. (ANSA) (ANSAmed).