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. 

**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.