International Fund for Agricultural Development

Description

In partnership with recipient governments, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) supports programs and projects in rural areas. All IFAD projects are country-led and country-owned, designed in consultation with smallholder farmers and other rural beneficiaries, and strongly focused on inclusion. IFAD is the “only specialized global development organization exclusively dedicated to transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems.”

Use of Funds

Funds are used for loans, grants, co-financing, and other instruments to grow food, improve nutrition, better manage natural resources, and train people. Funds will go toward the third installment of the U.S. commitment to IFAD’s 12th Replenishment (F.Y. 2022-2024).

Justification

• To date, IFAD has “empowered approximately 483 million people to grow more food, better manage their land and natural resources, learn new skills, start small businesses, build strong organizations, and gain a voice in decisions that affect their lives.”
• In 2021, IFAD had 207 ongoing projects and has had 933 completed projects since 1978.
• In 2021, IFAD launched the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP), to address the climate change drivers of food and nutrition insecurity and build the climate resilience of rural people, with a particular emphasis on targeting the most marginalized and vulnerable women, men, young people, and indigenous communities.
• Each $1 of U.S. funding to IFAD supports the delivery of approximately $8.4 of overall programming.