Research Guides: International Agricultural Development Research Guide: Organizations

USAID Initiatives

The following are some of the many initiatives of the United States Agency for International Development, which "carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress at the same time it expands stable, free societies, creates markets and trade partners for the United States, and fosters good will abroad."

To view USAID reports and other publications, search the Development Experience Clearinghouse.

Economic Growth and Trade
"In line with the U.S. National Security Strategy, and complementing USAID’s recent appointment to the National Security Council, USAID’s programs play a catalytic role in promoting private-sector-led economic growth, helping partner countries become stronger trading and security partners."
Feed the Future
"Feed the Future brings together partners from across various sectors and the U.S. Government to use each of our unique skills and insights in a targeted, coordinated way to help countries that are ripe for transformation change the way their food systems work."
Global Climate Change Initiative
"USAID plays a key role in the climate-and-development arena. Reaching about 50 countries with weather, climate and sustainable landscapes knowledge, data and tools, USAID helps countries act on their climate and development priorities."
Global Health Programs
"USAID’s global health efforts, grounded in investments in health systems strengthening and breakthrough innovation, are focused around three strategic priorities: Preventing child and maternal deaths; controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic; and combating infectious diseases. Learn more about our different health areas below."
Grand Challenges
"Grand Challenges is a family of initiatives fostering innovation to solve key global health and development problems" Partners include Grand Challenges Canada, USAID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
USAID Trade and Investment Hubs in sub-Saharan Africa
These hubs "provide extensive support to deepen the U.S.-Africa economic and commercial relationship ... The hubs work to boost trade and investment with and within each region. The goal of each Hub is to deepen regional integration, increase the competitiveness of select regional agriculture value chains, promote two-way trade with the United States under AGOA, and facilitate investment and technology that drives trade growth intra-regionally and globally"
- Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub
- West Africa Trade and Investment Hub

United Nations Organizations

FAO - Africa
"The Regional Office for Africa advocates for strong regional partnerships and timely Country Office support ... The substantive technical work of the Regional Office focuses on co-ordinating normative work and its policy dimensions and leadership of the regional dimension of the Organization’s technical networks."
International Fund for Agricultural Development
"The goal of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is to enable poor rural people to improve their food and nutrition security, increase their incomes and strengthen their resilience. IFAD also acts as an advocate for poor rural women and men. Our multilateral orientation provides a strong global platform for discussing rural policy issues and increasing awareness of why investment in agriculture and rural development is critical to reducing poverty and improving global food security."
UNICEF
"We believe that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path."
World Food Programme
"Born in 1961, WFP pursues a vision of the world in which every man, woman and child has access at all times to the food needed for an active and healthy life. We work towards that vision with our sister UN agencies in Rome -- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) -- as well as other government, UN and NGO partners."
United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER)
"... provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all."
Other United Nations Funds, Programmes, and Specialized Agencies
This page provides a full listing of Funds, Programmes, Specialized Agencies, and more.

CGIAR Research Centers

"CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources and ecosystem services. Its research is carried out by 15 CGIAR Research Centers in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector."

Africa-Related Intergovernmental Organizations

African Union
"The mission of the Commission is [to] become 'An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens'."
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
"COMESA’s Vision is to 'be a fully integrated, internationally competitive regional economic community with high standards of living for all its people ready to merge into an African Economic Community'"
East African Community (EAC)
"The East African Community (EAC) is the regional intergovernmental organisation of the Republics of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Republic of Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania."
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
"The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen countries, founded in 1975. Its mission is to promote economic integration in 'all fields of economic activity, particularly industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, monetary and financial questions, social and cultural matters .....'"
Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
The mission of this organization of Eastern African states is to "assist and complement the efforts of the Member States to achieve, through increased cooperation: Food Security and environmental protection, Promotion and maintenance of peace and security and humanitarian affairs, and Economic cooperation and integration." "The IGAD region stretches over an area of 5.2 million km2 that comprises the countries of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda."
Southern African Development Community (SADC)
"The main objectives of Southern African Development Community (SADC) are to achieve economic development, peace and security, and growth, alleviate poverty, enhance the standard and quality of life of the peoples of Southern Africa, and support the socially disadvantaged through Regional Integration." Member states include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo,Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Other Organizations Involved in International Agricultural Development

The following are examples of NGOs that are heavily involved in research and outreach activities in Africa.

African Development Bank
"The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction."
CABI
"CABI's mission is to improve people's lives worldwide by providing information and applying scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment ... Our 48 member countries guide and influence our core areas of work. These include development and research projects, scientific publishing and microbial services." Among the many CABI programs are the following:
- Africa Soil Health Consortium
- Plantwise
Institute of Development Studies
"The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) delivers world-class research, learning and teaching that transforms the knowledge, action and leadership needed for more equitable and sustainable development globally."
International Fertilizer Development Network
"Since 1974, IFDC has focused on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in over 100 developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise."
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
"...an independent research organisation that aims to deliver positive change on a global scale."
Overseas Development Institute
"ODI is an independent, global think tank. Our vision is a sustainable and peaceful world in which every person thrives. We harness the power of evidence and ideas through research and partnership to confront challenges, develop solutions and create change."
World Bank - Africa
"We provide low-interest loans, interest-free credits, and grants to developing countries ... We [also] offer support to developing countries through policy advice, research and analysis, and technical assistance."
World Organisation for Animal Health (formerly OIE)
"We are the global authority on animal health. Founded in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), in May 2003 we adopted the common name World Organisation for Animal Health. An intergovernmental organisation, we focus on transparently disseminating information on animal diseases, improving animal health globally and thus build a safer, healthier and more sustainable world."

Library update: Recent database changes

International Agricultural Development Research Guide

USAID Initiatives

United Nations Organizations

CGIAR Research Centers

Africa-Related Intergovernmental Organizations

Other Organizations Involved in International Agricultural Development