Fostering Growth: Deutsche Bank’s Initiative Revolutionizes Women’s Role in Asian Agriculture

(IN BRIEF) Deutsche Bank’s Corporate Responsibility program in Asia is empowering women in agriculture across the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and India. Through partnerships and funding, women are gaining access to education, innovative farming equipment, and sustainable practices, enhancing their livelihoods and contributing to food security. Initiatives include scholarships for agricultural education in the Philippines, funding for bio-digesters in India, and support for sustainable honey production in Sri Lanka. These efforts aim to break down gender barriers and promote environmental sustainability while fostering economic empowerment for women in Asian agriculture.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRANKFURT, 7-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Deutsche Bank (XETRA: DBKGn.DB / NYSE: DB), Germany’s leading multinational investment bank and financial services company, is pleased to unveil its Corporate Responsibility program in Asia is dedicated to empowering women and breaking down gender barriers in agriculture across the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and India. Despite women comprising 43% of the global agricultural labor force, they encounter significant obstacles such as limited access to funding, agricultural training, and technology, especially in the face of climate change impacting food production.

Philippines: Fostering Careers in Food Production

In the Philippines, Deutsche Bank partners with Gawad Kalinga to offer scholarships to young individuals, like 25-year-old Mary Kris L. Alinsub, providing them with education in agricultural and food production through the School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED Philippines). For Mary Kris, raised in a farming family, the scholarship has opened doors to stable employment opportunities, including obtaining certifications in Organic Agricultural Production.

Mary Kris L. Alinsub, Philippines

India: Transforming Organic Waste for Enhanced Farming

In India, Deutsche Bank supports women farmers like Barfi Devi by financing innovative farming equipment such as bio-digesters. Through collaboration with the Centre for Microfinance, the bank funds the installation of bio-digesters on farms, enabling the conversion of organic waste into biofertilizer and biogas. This sustainable system not only reduces costs for farmers but also enhances productivity, contributing to a brighter future for families like Barfi’s.

Barfi Devi, India

Sri Lanka: Fostering Sustainable Honey Production

Partnering with NGO Ruk Rakaganno, Deutsche Bank aids women like Sumanawathie in rural Sri Lankan communities to establish sustainable bee honey production. This initiative offers an alternative to traditional “honey hunting,” which negatively impacts the environment. Through infrastructure support and training, women are empowered to cultivate bee colonies, generating additional income and fostering environmental conservation efforts in their communities.

Through these initiatives, Deutsche Bank underscores its commitment to promoting gender equality and sustainable agriculture, ensuring a brighter future for women in Asian agriculture and enhancing food security for all.

Ruk Rakaganno, Sri Lanka

Media contact:

Asia-Pacific

Amy Chang
Head
+852 2203 8434
amy.chang@db.com

SOURCE: Deutsche Bank AG