Financial institutions launch climate resilience initiatives for agriculture

Financial institutions in Sri Lanka and Fiji are launching initiatives to protect the agricultural sector from climate change risks.

In Sri Lanka, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon has initiated a program to prepare the agricultural sector for the potential impacts of the 2026 El Niño climate pattern. Partnering with state universities, the bank is conducting educational and technological interventions to move the industry toward early climate preparedness. The initiative has engaged over 1,100 farmers across 15 locations, including Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, to focus on climate risk management.

In Fiji, the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) is developing a proposed guarantee facility to improve access to climate finance for farmers and agribusinesses. Supported by the Green Climate Fund, the project aims to strengthen Fiji’s agricultural sector against climate change by assessing investments in climate-resilient crops, water management, and cyclone-resilient infrastructure. The goal is to unlock greater investment in climate-smart agriculture and strengthen local livelihoods.