The Asian Development Bank has approved a ¥1 billion (about $140.89 million) loan to support the development of low-carbon and climate-resilient agriculture in Sichuan Province, one of the People’s Republic of China’s key agricultural regions. The Sichuan Climate-Smart Low-Carbon Agriculture Development Demonstration Program is expected to benefit more than 750,000 people by improving agricultural resources, enhancing environmental conditions, and strengthening sustainable livelihoods.
ADB highlights this initiative as a strategic investment that will create a model for low-carbon, climate-smart agriculture that other regions within and beyond the PRC can replicate. Sichuan currently faces serious environmental challenges due to unsustainable farming practices, intensive land use, and chemical overuse, all of which are compounded by increasingly frequent extreme weather events. These pressures have harmed ecosystems, reduced agricultural productivity, and heightened risks to food security.
The program introduces a comprehensive approach to tackling these issues. It will modernize farms, promote climate-smart and low-carbon technologies, and expand the use of digital information services to support farmers. It also aims to advance policy reforms, develop incentive mechanisms, and test voluntary carbon trading to align agricultural practices with emission-reduction targets. Efforts will focus on minimizing chemical inputs, strengthening community resilience to climate hazards, and supporting the PRC’s broader carbon neutrality goals.
Environmental restoration is a key component of the program, including the rehabilitation of farmlands and the replacement of outdated irrigation systems. The initiative will also cultivate local knowledge and expertise in sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term impact and replication.
As a leading development institution in Asia and the Pacific, ADB continues to work with its members to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth. Since its establishment in 1966, the bank has built strong partnerships and leveraged innovative financing to address complex regional challenges and improve lives across its 69 member countries.
