The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $250 million for a new initiative called “Glaciers to Farms”. The project is part of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and aims to strengthen water and agriculture systems in Central Asia and Pakistan. It will support communities that depend on glaciers for water, energy, and farming. Over the next decade, ADB plans to invest $3.25 billion in regional projects under this programme.
The initiative will focus on efficient irrigation, water storage, and watershed management. It will help farmers adapt to risks caused by glacier melt, including floods and droughts. Most of the GCF support will be provided as grants, ensuring resources reach the communities that need them most. ADB stressed that long-term, coordinated action is crucial to sustain agricultural productivity amid climate change.
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The project will cover nine ADB member countries: Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries rely on glacial rivers for agriculture, household use, and energy. Rapid glacier loss threatens livelihoods and economic stability, especially in regions where about one in four people works in agriculture.
“Glaciers to Farms” will focus on four major glacial river basins, including the Naryn and Pyandzh. It will span 27 million hectares and directly benefit 13 million people, mainly farmers in mountainous regions. The programme will also improve climate and glacier research, strengthen early warning systems, and enhance healthcare and social protection in water-scarce areas. Local banks will receive support to back women-led agricultural businesses.
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ADB and GCF officials called the project innovative and transformative. They said it will help countries coordinate long-term strategies for water and food security. By improving data, investment planning, and regional coordination, the initiative aims to protect livelihoods now and for future generations. It sets a benchmark for climate resilience in Central and West Asia.