Innovations in Rural and Agricultural Finance

Most rural households lack access to reliable and affordable finance for agriculture and other livelihood activities. Many small farmers live in remote areas where retail banking is limited and production risks are high. The recent financial crisis has made the provision of credit even tighter and the need to explore innovative approaches to rural and agricultural finance even more urgent.

IFPRI's 2020 Vision Initiative asked rural finance experts from the World Bank, development community, and private sector to examine challenges, opportunities, and breakthroughs in providing financial services to rural households.

This document contains fourteen new briefs and provide examples and case studies from African, Asian, and Latin American countries. They highlight the importance of bundling financial services with marketing, extension, and other non-financial services as a way to give farmers new opportunities to increase their productivity and incomes. Contributors also emphasize that an enabling policy environment and legal framework, enforcement of rules and regulations, and supportive rural infrastructure are essential for sustainable access to finance