19 February 2016: The Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has called for increased investment in smallholder agriculture to ensure food security, climate change adaptation, equitable prosperity and the prevention of conflict and migration. Holding its 39th meeting, on the theme ‘Inclusive Investment: Rural people, state and business in the post-2015 agenda,’ the Council discussed the role of investment in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as how to undertake such investment in order to eradicate poverty and food and nutrition insecurity, and realize rural communities’ potential.
The Council meeting took place on 17-18 February 2016, in Rome, Italy. Members of the 176 IFAD member states attended, along with development leaders, Heads of State and Government, and government representatives, to discuss boosting investments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending poverty and hunger and realize the 2030 Agenda.
In a keynote address, the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, said investing in smallholder agriculture in developing countries helps stabilize communities and countries and reduces migration and conflict. Pointing to the increasing number of refugees fleeing the Syrian conflict, Mattarella explained that hunger and poverty are at the “root of conflict and instability” and the “link in the chain” that must be broken in order to address humanitarian disasters.
According to IFAD, around three billion people live in rural areas in developing countries, accounting for about 40% of the world’s population, but representing more than 70% of the world’s poorest and hungriest, with most depending on agriculture for their livelihoods. In his opening statement, IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze warned of the risk of reversing recent gains made in eradicating poverty and hunger. He said that in addition to terror threats and mass migration, drought is worsening in southern Africa, where nearly 14 million people are threatened by hunger. He called for governments to remain focused on long-term development.
Mohamed Ibrahim, Founder and Chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, discussed how the private sector and good governance can support Africa’s rural development and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that, while Africa is the least productive region in the agriculture sector, it has the most uncultivated, arable land, which presents multiple opportunities. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of developing farmlands into businesses in order to “revolutionize agriculture in Africa” and highlighted tenure insecurity for small farmers. He also underscored the need to: harness the benefits of mobile technologies for rural communities; focus on infrastructure; and create opportunities for African youth.
Ismahane Elouafi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), said her organization is working to find innovative ways to address soil salinity and irrigation challenges in water-insecure environments. She highlighted ICBA’s and IFAD’s work together to help small farmers adapt to climate change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. She said innovation is “a powerful tool” to help combat problems faced in the agricultural sector, noting that farmers are leaving agriculture because they lack opportunities to innovate or expand. She urged funding research and development (R&D) and customized research and solutions for each region.
A panel on galvanizing private sector action for SDG implementation highlighted the need to link smallholder farmers to markets. Another panel identified innovative agricultural solutions to global challenges, such as IFAD investments in farming technologies, approaches to empower women and youth, and the use of new technology to enhance rural development project design and management.
In conjunction with the Governing Council meeting, the Farmer’s Forum held its sixth global meeting. Participants revisited the Forum’s purpose and modalities taking into account IFAD’s Strategic Framework and the 2030 Agenda. Outcomes include a plan to make the platform for dialogue more inclusive, with the participation of pastoralists and livestock breeders, and more decentralized in order to create stronger links to smallholders and family farmers. The Forum’s messages were shared with the Governing Council.
IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized UN agency based in Rome. The Governing Council is IFAD’s main decision-making body. IFAD collaborates with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in its work related to land degradation, rural sustainable development, integrated land management, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), among other bodies. IFAD is participating in the GEF’s new Integrated Approach Pilot (IAP) on ‘Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa,’ which aims to help farmers strengthen soil health, improve access to drought-tolerant seeds, and maintain or increase diversity on their farms. [Meeting Website] [IFAD Blog: Day 1] [IFAD Blog: Day 2] [IFAD Press Release, 18 February] [IFAD Press Release, 17 February] [IFAD Press Release, 12 February] [IFAD News Story on Galvanizing the Private Sector] [GEF News Story] [Farmers’ Forum Website] [IFAD Interview with Ismahane Elouafi] [IFAD Interview with Mohamed Ibrahim]