Gates Foundation pledges $1.4 billion to help farmers adapt to extreme weather

Billionaire Bill Gates' foundation will spend at least $1.4 billion over the next four years to help farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia access technologies for adapting to extreme weather, the organization's chief executive officer (CEO) told Reuters.

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Speaking ahead of next week's COP30 climate summit in Brazil, Mark Suzman, head of the Gates Foundation, said the funding would go toward innovations like mapping soil health and biofertilizers that use microorganisms rather than chemicals to promote plant growth.

Mr. Gates called last week for a pivot in climate strategy away from focusing on emissions targets and toward helping the poor, who are increasingly bearing the brunt of erratic weather and other climate extremes.