FEBRUARY 2021
America Helps Feed the Future
Last year, Feed the Future commemorated its 10th anniversary. Despite the challenges we have faced and are currently tackling, we remain steadfast in building a more resilient and prosperous world for all.

It starts with food security and nutrition. Ending global hunger is a big task, which is why we have brought together the talents and resources of a wide range of partners. In addition to global and local organizations and partner governments, Feed the Future, as an American initiative, is backed by the efforts of leading U.S. businesses, non-profits, universities and volunteers.

Together, we are applying the best parts of American leadership, entrepreneurship, research, technology and talent to make a real difference in people’s lives around the globe. Keep scrolling for stories that showcase the power of collaborative partnerships in helping families and communities move out of poverty and hunger for good.


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For decades, farmers in Niger have contended with inefficiency and corruption in the production and distribution of vital fertilizer, greatly limiting harvests in a nation where hunger is already rampant. However, with a recent wave of legislative reforms, a new digital voucher system, and the country’s first-ever community weather bulletin, agriculture in Niger is turning a corner.
Despite cultivating one of the world’s most sought-after commodities, many coffee farmers are simply too small to obtain financing from a commercial bank to grow their businesses. Nonprofits cannot tackle this alone, which is why Feed the Future forged a partnership to fund the riskiest prospects and support smallholders who would otherwise be forced out of business.
Researchers at the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Fish saw firsthand how poverty and food insecurity manifested themselves within various Kenyan communities along the coast. But they also found a heartening willingness among parents to learn best practices and improve nutrition for their children. The Innovation Lab is helping parents use fish to do this.
More From Our Partners
Finger millet could be the backbone of Uganda’s food security, but many farmers are turning away from it due to the labor-intensive process needed to get harvested grain ready to sell. Scientists in East Africa saw an opportunity and, through the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Crop Improvement, they are developing new seeds and tools to help farmers grow more with less. 
When a disaster strikes—whether it’s a pandemic, a natural disaster, or political violence—the world’s low-income and underrepresented communities tend to suffer the most. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation provides smallholder farmers, small business owners, and laborers with access to credit to support themselves and their families.
The Peace Corps celebrated Black History Month this year by recognizing and honoring the Black volunteers, staff and communities around the world who have been central to the success of the agency for almost 60 years.
In Case You Missed It
Earlier this month, we celebrated International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the impact #WomenInScience have on building a better future. We interviewed women from the U.S. Agency for International Development to learn more about their journeys in this field. 
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Systems for Nutrition will address the opportunities and challenges that food systems have in advancing inclusive economic growth, nutrition, food safety, agriculture-led growth, gender-sensitive and youth-inclusive development, and resilience. USAID is currently seeking concept notes from qualified entities to lead this new Innovation Lab. 
Congressman Jim McGovern delivered remarks on the impact of COVID-19 on malnutrition and food insecurity around the world during the virtual event "The Looming Threat of Malnutrition in the COVID-19 Pandemic" hosted by 1,000 Days, Bread for the World and InterAction this month.
What We're Reading
Photo Credits: NOURISH, International Fertilizer Development Center, Root Capital, SecureFish, Morgana Wingard and Douglas Gritzmacher/USAID.
Feed the Future is the U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative.