Suriname launches Collateral Support Facility to empower pineapple farmers

Developed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Government of Suriname, the UN Joint SDG Fund, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Facility builds on the Horticulture Innovation Hub, created in 2024 as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration across Suriname’s horticultural value chains.

By linking the Hub with private-sector financial institutions, the Facility bridges the gap between farmers and banks, creating new opportunities for inclusive agricultural growth in Suriname.

Empowering Farmers with Inclusive Finance

At the launch event in Paramaribo, the first six farmers formally applied for loans, an immediate demonstration of the Facility’s potential to transform Suriname’s pineapple sector.

Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Mike Noersalim emphasized: “One of the biggest challenges for farmers is financing investments to expand and modernize production. For Indigenous producers in particular, accessing loans is difficult because communal lands cannot be used as collateral. This Facility, made possible through the joint efforts of our partners, is a true breakthrough.”

Maureen Badjoeri, CEO of Trustbank Amanah, selected as the partner bank following a market engagement exercise, added: “The Facility paves the way for modernization and growth in the agricultural sector, with a special focus on pineapple cultivation. We are proud to support farmers in seizing these new opportunities.”

Building Strong Partnerships

The Facility was developed under the Joint Programme (JP) “Sustainable pineapple value chain development in Suriname”, funded by the UN Joint SDG Fund with additional support from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The Programme is implemented by UNIDO, FAO, ILO, and UNFPA as part of the broader Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA).

Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation Melvin Bouva underlined the sector’s evolution: “The story of the Surinamese pineapple is a story of transformation. Not long ago, our pineapple sector was small, fragmented, and limited to local consumption. Today, thanks to the ASTA programme, we are taking the step from survival to sustainability; from traditional practices with limited markets to an organized, innovative, and – hopefully in the near future – export-oriented value chain.”

On behalf of the UN agencies, Dejene Tezera, Director of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development at UNIDO, highlighted the broader vision: “This is not only about pineapples. It is about inclusive agribusiness and financial freedom—empowering Indigenous groups, tribal people, and farmers with the skills and independence to thrive. Looking ahead, we must focus on value addition, agribusiness development, and expanded market access so Suriname’s pineapple sector can evolve from a national success into a competitive regional and global brand.”

Scaling Up for the Future

Looking ahead, the focus is on scaling up the transformation, ensuring that the programme is reinforced by sustainable investment. The UN Joint SDG Fund, which funds the programme, transcends traditional project-based approaches, instead catalyzing systems transformation for key SDG priorities.

As of 2025, the Fund has mobilized a total of US $430 million from 17 Member States since 2019, unlocking $6 billion for SDG financing, impacting over 200 million people across 125 countries, including Suriname.

In a recorded message, Lisa Kurbiel, Head of the UN Joint SDG Fund, underscored the importance of further investment: “The Joint SDG Fund is proud to have taken the first step by financing this project. But this is only the beginning. We thank the Islamic Development Bank and call on other donors and international financial institutions to join us in scaling up—focusing on value addition, market access, and cross-cutting priorities such as women’s empowerment and labor rights.”

Salah Jelassi, IsDB Director of Operations for the GCC, Yemen and South America, echoed this commitment: “The Islamic Development Bank is proud to contribute to Suriname’s agricultural transformation. By supporting the Collateral Facility, we are helping farmers access finance, build resilience, and secure a sustainable future.”

A Milestone for Suriname’s Agricultural Transformation

The launch of ASTA Suriname’s Collateral Support Facility, developed under UNIDO’s technical leadership and jointly implemented with FAO, ILO, and UNFPA, in partnership with the Government of Suriname, the UN Joint SDG Fund, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), is a testament to Suriname’s efforts to transform its agrifood systems. By fostering partnerships across government, international organizations, academia, financial institutions, and farmers, the initiative lays the foundation for a dynamic, sustainable, and gender-inclusive pineapple sector with regional and global potential.