IFC, GAFSP to invest $3.8m in Probiotech
KATHMANDU, AUG 29 -
World Bank Group member International Finance Corporation ( IFC ) and the private sector window of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP) are investing $ 3.8 million in feed manufacturer Probiotech Industries to enhance poultry farm productivity and boost incomes in rural Nepal.
This is IFC ’s first investment in Nepal’s agribusiness sector. Probiotech will use the funding to finance manufacturing capacity for value-added products like soy flour, nuggets and refined oil. It will help the company to increase sourcing from over 8,000 farmers and food suppliers, and improve food safety standards. Probiotech is a sister company of agribusiness-focused business house NIMBUS Holdings.
“ IFC ’s global knowledge and expertise in the agribusiness sector will help the company to adopt best practices for production efficiency, environmental and social standards, and to upgrade technology,” said Anand Bagaria, managing director of Probiotech Industries. “The project will help streamline the food supply chain leading to higher productivity and increased incomes for farmers.”
The financing will also enable Probiotech to expand its procurement and distribution networks. Currently, the company distributes its products through 100 registered dealers and 500 sub-dealers across 70 districts of Nepal.
“ IFC ’s support to Probiotech will help create jobs, both at the plant and farm level, and improve food and nutritional security for Nepal,” said Vipul Prakash, IFC director for Asia Pacific, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services. “The economies of scale will help reduce broiler production costs, benefiting poultry farm ers, government and small businesses.”
IFC invested $ 4.5 billion across the agricultural value chain globally in 2013. IFC ’s agribusiness strategy aims to promote inclusive growth and environmental and social sustainability in agricultural supply chains.
The GAFSP is a global effort that pools donor resources to fund programmes focused on increasing agricultural productivity as a way to reduce poverty and increase food and nutrition security.
The GAFSP targets countries with the highest rates of poverty and hunger. The public sector window helps governments with national agriculture and food security plans.
The private sector window, managed by IFC , provides long- and short-term loans, credit guarantees and equity to private sector companies to improve productivity growth, deepen farmers’ links to markets and increase capacity and technical skills.
Source: The Kathmandu Post
