AIM for Scale

Executive Summary

Agriculture is central to economies and livelihoods around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, but it faces growing challenges that threaten productivity and food security. Evidence-based innovations could help improve farmer outcomes but new mechanisms are needed to take these solutions to scale. The Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale) develops customized Innovation Packages and secures partnerships and funding to deliver cost-effective innovations to hundreds of millions of farmers. Funded by the United Arab Emirates Presidential Court and the Gates Foundation, AIM for Scale bridges the gap between pilots and implementation at scale—accelerating the adoption of evidence-based, cost-effective innovations that improve farmer outcomes.

The Breakthrough Institute was invited by the funders of AIM for Scale to describe a strategy and governance structure for the organization. Our report begins by describing the institutional and financial gaps AIM for Scale is designed to fill. These include fragmented and short-term funding, “pilots to nowhere,” weak coordination between funders and implementers, risk aversion, and inadequate monitoring of long-term outcomes. By providing training, technical assistance, and funding, AIM for Scale can help mainstream scaling practices across donors and implementing agencies. By convening partners and brokering agreements, it can align efforts across geographies and value chains. And by rigorously assessing innovations for impact, cost-effectiveness, scaling readiness, and spillover benefits, it can ensure scarce resources are directed toward the most promising opportunities.

Depending on its funding level, AIM for Scale could pursue a spectrum of activities. With modest resources of less than $10 million annually, we recommend it focus on technical assistance, assessments, and coordination. With moderate funding of $10–50 million, it should expand to providing grants for mainstreaming and scaling efforts. At higher levels of $50 million or more, it could evolve into a full vertical fund, directly supporting governments and shaping markets through pooled procurement, co-financing, and results-based financing.

Good governance will be critical to AIM for Scale’s effectiveness and legitimacy. In the near term, a small board anchored by founding donors, complemented by country, multilateral, and civil society representatives, should guide strategy. Over time, AIM for Scale should transition to a more inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach modeled on successful vertical funds, supported by a lean secretariat and independent technical review mechanisms. Ultimately, AIM for Scale should act as a catalyst and dealmaker, aligning fragmented efforts, mobilizing new resources, and ensuring that cost-effective innovations reach millions of farmers, improving yields, raising labor productivity, enhancing nutrition, and supporting rural transformation.