An annual investment of USD 265 billion is needed globally to achieve the two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on ending poverty and hunger. USD 140 billion of this investment must focus on agriculture.

Investments promise to bring in much-needed capital in support of national agricultural modernization, as well as the potential to positively contribute to a range of national development objectives. Achieving the SDGs will require a significant increase in the quantity and quality of investment in agriculture and rural areas. Agricultural investment is 2.5–3 times more effective in increasing the income of the poor than is non-agricultural investment. But it is important to note that not all kinds of investments are equally beneficial—for some kinds of investment, especially large-scale private and foreign investment, the negative impacts can outweigh the potential benefits. Negative impacts can include violation of tenure rights, environmental degradation, and harm to local food security. Poorly planned and executed investments can also entail economic losses for the investor and the host country.