10th Anniversary of the International Fund for Agricultural Development
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) finances projects aimed at the poorest sections of the rural population in developing countries. These projects help increase food production and income.
IFAD was established in December 1977. During its first nine years of operation, it invested in 188 projects in 88 countries totaling $2.3 billion. At the same time, it has mobilized more than $9 billion in additional resources through co-financing with other institutions and also through assistance from the beneficiary governments themselves.
The projects financed to date will result, at full capacity, in production equivalent to 23 million tonnes of wheat, or more than 20% of food imported into developing countries, from which more than 15 million families, or some 83 million souls, will benefit.
To tackle the problems of the rural poor, IFAD has adopted some very specific methods:
- analysis of the situations and needs of the populations before considering appropriate financing solutions;
- association of beneficiaries in the design and execution of projects, particularly in the operating costs of the project;
- maximum encouragement of private initiative, IFAD strives to provide them with the services (credits, agricultural advice, marketing, etc.) that they need;
- assistance with the creation of autonomous institutions responsible for granting credit, carrying out research and providing training directly corresponding to the needs of small farmers;
- engagement and maintenance of active dialogues with governments – donors and beneficiaries – on direct and indirect financing policies, so that the rural poor are given the incentives they need.
IFAD was established in December 1977. During its first nine years of operation, it invested in 188 projects in 88 countries totaling $2.3 billion. At the same time, it has mobilized more than $9 billion in additional resources through co-financing with other institutions and also through assistance from the beneficiary governments themselves.
The projects financed to date will result, at full capacity, in production equivalent to 23 million tonnes of wheat, or more than 20% of food imported into developing countries, from which more than 15 million families, or some 83 million souls, will benefit.
To tackle the problems of the rural poor, IFAD has adopted some very specific methods:
- analysis of the situations and needs of the populations before considering appropriate financing solutions;
- association of beneficiaries in the design and execution of projects, particularly in the operating costs of the project;
- maximum encouragement of private initiative, IFAD strives to provide them with the services (credits, agricultural advice, marketing, etc.) that they need;
- assistance with the creation of autonomous institutions responsible for granting credit, carrying out research and providing training directly corresponding to the needs of small farmers;
- engagement and maintenance of active dialogues with governments – donors and beneficiaries – on direct and indirect financing policies, so that the rural poor are given the incentives they need.