Food for Progress

The Food for Progress Program helps developing countries and emerging democracies modernize and strengthen their agricultural sectors. U.S. agricultural commodities donated to recipient countries are sold on the local market and the proceeds are used to support agricultural, economic, or infrastructure development programs.

Food for Progress has two principal objectives: to improve agricultural productivity and to expand trade of agricultural products. 

Past Food for Progress projects have trained farmers in animal and plant health, helped improve farming methods, developed road and utility systems, established producer cooperatives, provided microcredit, and developed agricultural value chains. Program participants have included private voluntary organizations, foreign governments, universities, and intergovernmental organizations. 

FAS solicits project proposals each year and provides a list of priority countries. Organizations eligible to apply include foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and nongovernmental organizations. Colleges and universities – including land-grant institutions - are also eligible to apply to Food for Progress.


2023 Food for Progress Priority Countries and Issues

For FY 2023, USDA will award up to $225 million in new Food for Progress cooperative agreements.  The awards will range from $15 to $40 million each with a duration of five years.  Priority countries include Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire, Lesotho, Mauritania, Nepal, The Gambia, and Togo. 

Country 

Priority Sectors 

Project Focus 

Bangladesh 

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)  

Climate Smart Agriculture in the Livestock sector.  

Côte d’Ivoire 

CSA and Food Security  

Strengthen food security by supporting the aquaculture and horticulture sectors.   

Lesotho 

Food Security 

Strengthen food security though increased domestic production and commercialization in the poultry sector. 

Mauritania 

CSA and Food Security 

Strengthen food security with increased application of CSA in the horticulture sector.  

Nepal 

CSA and Food Security 

Food security with Climate Smart Agriculture in the aquaculture sector. 

The Gambia 

CSA, Food Security, and Trade Enabling Environment 

Improve food security with CSA practices in the horticulture sector. 

Togo 

CSA and Food Security 

Strengthen Development of Climate Smart Agriculture in the Horticulture sector. 

**The announcement of priority countries does not guarantee the issuing of funding for a country. Proposals for countries not listed are eligible. All proposals will be reviewed against the requirements as stated in the FY2023 Notice of Funding Opportunity, to be released in March 2023.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: May 25, 2023
Status: Closed

Data and Analysis

Since fiscal year (FY) 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation...
Graphic illustrating USDA's role in promoting food security worldwide, which in turn creates new markets for U.S. agricultural exports.
Under USDA’s Food for Progress Program, USDA and ACDI/VOCA are working together to support the development of Ethiopia’s livestock feed sector...

News and Features

USDA would like to invite interested parties to attend a public meeting webinar on the McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress Programs’ FY 2023 Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO).
USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service had an exceptional year in 2022, expanding U.S. agricultural trade, ramping up climate change resiliency work, and improving food and nutrition security around the globe.
Testimony by USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

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