At US$716 million (NOK 4 billion) in 2010, Norway was the 4th largest European government donor to agriculture (incl. forestry, fishing) and rural development, accounting for 12.3% of total ODA to agriculture provided by European DAC members. Due to funding provided through Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (reported as bilateral ODA to forestry), total ODA to agriculture and rural development has skyrocketed since the initiative’s inception in 2008. In 2010, 94% (US$674 million or NOK 3.8 billion) of ODA to agriculture and rural development was channeled bilaterally.

As part of its forestry initiative, Norway pledged US$1 billion (2008-2015) to Brazil’s Amazon Fund. In addition, Norway has pledged to gradually increase funding for food security from currently NOK 1 billion (US$172 million) to NOK 1.5 billion (US$258 million) until 2015.

In 2011, Norway’s bilateral ODA for agriculture and rural development amounted to US$329 million (NOK 1.8 billion). Spending clearly prioritized forestry policy and administration management (52.6%) due to the investments through Norway’s climate initiative, channeled mostly through the Amazon Fund. In 2011, Norwegian bilateral agriculture ODA had a regional focus on sub-Saharan Africa (29.4%), followed by Latin America (16.3%) and Asia (12.5%).

Norway’s multilateral spending for agriculture in 2010 (no figures for 2011 available yet) was only moderate, accounting for 6% (US$42 million or NOK 244 million) of Norway’s total ODA to agriculture in 2010. According to OECD DAC figures, it was primarily channeled through the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) (64%; US$27 million or NOK 152 million), the IFAD (26%; US$11 million or NOK 62 million) and the FAO (6%; US$2 million or NOK 13 million). Furthermore, the WFP received US$46 million (NOK 267 million) in 2012 and Norway has pledged annual US$42.5 million (NOK 245 million) to the WFP through 2015.

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