Faithful to its mutualist values and agricultural tradition, Crédit Agricole has undertaken several initiatives to support agricultural development and to improve the life of rural populations in the countries of the South.

Crédit Agricole has for example founded Grameen Crédit Agricole Microfinance Foundation, whose role is to support microcredit institutions and social-business projects. It has moreover created Crédit Agricole Solidarité et Développement (CASD) and given rise to the creation of FARM (Fondation pour l’Agriculture et la Ruralité dans le Monde). 

Crédit Agricole Solidarité et Développement (CASD): to take action for agriculture and rural populations in the countries of the South

To broaden the actions of its Caisses Régionales, the Crédit Agricole founded CASD in 1983. Since it was created, this association has provided 10.2 million euros in grants to 453 concrete rural development projects:

• by supporting agricultural, crafts and trade activities;
• by meeting the beneficiaries’ most basic needs: access to water, health care and education.

In partnership with NGOs working in the field, the association supports populations struck by natural disasters, as an expression of solidarity from Crédit Agricole.

Fondation pour l’Agriculture et la Ruralité dans le Monde (FARM) helps support agriculture and rural life.

FARM was created in 2006, at the initiative of Crédit Agricole S.A. Its objective is to reinforce food security by supporting agriculture and agri-food networks in developing countries.

The Foundation carries out studies and organises debates on agricultural development policies and models as well as the reinforcement of agri-food networks in Africa. It also acts as a project executor in the countries of the South.

For example, it carries out development actions in five West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Togo) and two North African countries (Algeria, Morocco).

• In West Africa, the Foundation has set up seven agricultural professional organisations to strengthen food security and to support 1700 small-scale farmers.
• In North Africa, it organises professional training dealing with water management, targeting more than 200 small-scale farmers. 

Activities in the field of sustainable development

Crédit Agricole makes a commitment to sustainable development.

Crédit Agricole is a major actor in the banking sector, and its position of leader gives it a duty to be an exemplary model. This is why it has chosen to carry out a dynamic policy in terms of social and environmental responsibility that respects the United Nations Global Compact.

Its ambition: to contribute to the emergence of a more ethical and fairer world.

More on Crédit Agricole's sustainable development actions...