There is an ever increasing need to finance and invest in agriculture and related growth-enhancing
sectors due to population pressures, changing dietary preferences, climate change, water needs and
soil pollution. The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the urgency of producing more
agricultural products, at higher quality and in a more sustainable way. In addition, geopolitical
uncertainty, such as the recent Russia-Ukraine crisis, has also posed multiple threats to global food
supply and highlighted the need to ensure agriculture is more resilient. Rapidly evolving
technological innovation is opening new possibilities for farmers and agriculture businesses to
better access financial markets and credit to improve agricultural productivity. This innovation may
also come some way to address key UN Development Goals, especially the alleviation of poverty.