Standard Bank Mobilises R3.45bn to Support Climate-Smart Farming
Standard Bank Mobilises R3.45bn to Support Climate-Smart Farming. Standard Bank Group says it has mobilised R3.45 billion in funding for climate-smart agriculture over the past year, supporting investments aimed at helping farmers adapt to climate risks, improve productivity and strengthen food security.
The funding forms part of the bank’s broader sustainability agenda and comes as the agricultural sector faces increasing pressure from climate-related challenges, including erratic weather patterns, water shortages and rising input costs. According to Standard Bank, farmers are increasingly turning to technologies and practices that improve operational efficiency while reducing vulnerability to climate change.
Louis Van Ravesteyn, Standard Bank Group Head of Agriculture, said the agricultural sector is already responding to the realities of climate change, but scaling these solutions requires access to suitable financing.
“Farmers are already responding to the realities of climate change, but scaling these solutions requires access to the right kind of finance. What we are seeing is a shift towards more resilient, efficient farming models that combine sustainability with productivity,” he said.
The funding supports a range of climate-smart farming initiatives, including water-efficient irrigation systems, renewable energy projects and regenerative agricultural practices. Standard Bank said technologies such as precision agriculture, solar-powered systems and data-driven crop management are helping farmers optimise resources while improving resilience and long-term sustainability.
The bank noted that access to finance remains a key challenge, particularly for emerging and mid-sized farmers looking to invest in climate-smart solutions. Its funding approach is designed to align with agricultural production cycles and climate-related risks, enabling more producers to participate in sustainable farming systems.
Boitumelo Sethlatswe, Head of Sustainability at Standard Bank, said directing capital towards climate-smart agriculture delivers benefits beyond individual farming operations.
“Sustainable finance is ultimately about enabling real economy outcomes. By directing capital towards climate-smart agriculture, we are supporting a transition that benefits producers, communities and ecosystems alike, while helping to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.”
She added that climate-smart agriculture plays an important role in supporting a just transition by helping protect livelihoods while strengthening agricultural value chains and rural economies.
Standard Bank has previously outlined targets to increase financing for climate-smart agriculture as part of its wider sustainable finance strategy, which focuses on supporting resilience, adaptation and long-term economic development across Africa.
