The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved $250 million in funding for the "Glaciers to Farms" program, a major climate adaptation initiative led by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The program aims to bolster water and agricultural resilience in glacier-dependent regions across Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan.
According to a press release from ADB’s Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), the GCF contribution—provided primarily as grants—will be complemented by $3.25 billion in investments from ADB over the next decade. These funds will support country-led projects focused on improving water management and agricultural productivity amid rising climate pressures.
By investing in efficient irrigation, water storage infrastructure, and watershed management, the program seeks to protect rural livelihoods as accelerated glacial melt increases the frequency of droughts and floods.
“Rapid glacial retreat is one of the most complex development challenges faced by our region,” said ADB Director for Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Yasmin Siddiqi. “We need practical, scalable, and science-based solutions to help communities adapt. With catalytic support from GCF, Glaciers to Farms will help move the region beyond fragmented projects and towards systemic, long-term resilience that protects lives and livelihoods now and for future generations.”
A regional response to a melting crisis
The program spans nine ADB developing member countries—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—all of which rely heavily on glacier- and snow-fed rivers for agriculture, domestic water supply, and electricity generation. Glacial retreat poses a growing threat to these critical ecosystem services, especially in countries where agriculture accounts for one in four jobs.
The initiative will focus on four key river basins: the Naryn and Panj in Central Asia, the Kura in the South Caucasus, and the Swat in Pakistan—collectively covering around 27 million hectares.
Approximately 13 million people, including farmers and vulnerable mountain populations, are expected to benefit directly. The program will fund climate and glacier assessments, guide national development strategies, and strengthen early warning systems to help communities manage risks such as glacial lake outburst floods and prolonged droughts.
In addition to improving agricultural systems, Glaciers to Farms will support adaptive social protection schemes, health services, and expand access to agricultural financing, particularly for women-led businesses.
Spotlight on Tajikistan’s Panj basin
Glaciers in the Panj River Basin—which covers about 4,650 km² along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan—are retreating rapidly, driven by temperature increases of up to 5°C and changing precipitation patterns. This region is home to one of Central Asia’s largest glacierized areas, featuring extensive permafrost and active rock glaciers, indicators of high ground-ice content.
These changes are intensifying the risk of floods, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts, endangering downstream water security, hydropower, and agriculture. The Glaciers to Farms program will help reinforce climate information systems and community-level resilience against such hazards.
“The Glaciers to Farm program is the kind of large-scale, innovative, and collaborative effort that will help countries in Central and West Asia strengthen adaptation planning and cooperation to manage climate impacts on glacier-fed water systems,” said GCF Director of Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East Region Department Thomas Eriksson. “This program sets a transformative benchmark by improving data, coordination, and financing readiness for long-term resilience in the region’s water and food systems.”
The GCF approved its concessional financing for Glaciers to Farms at its 43rd Board Meeting on October 29. In 2024, GCF-funded glacier risk assessments provided the scientific foundation for the program’s design.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
Руcский