18 August 2014: In advance of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has released an infographic, titled ‘Investing in Small Island Developing States,’ and a publication, titled ‘IFAD’s Approach in SIDS: A global response to island voices for food security.’ These resources highlight SIDS’ characteristics, show IFAD’s strategic approaches to SIDS engagement, and propose moving towards “a global response to island voices for food security.”

Over 50 million people in SIDS are exposed to climate and weather-related risks, according to IFAD. The infographic and publication highlight key SIDS characteristics that IFAD recommends considering in designing development strategies in SIDS: small size and small economies; limited land but large oceans with blue economy potential; insular and coastal countries; food importers; and remoteness. Illustrating that food security depends on issues of availability, access and utilization, the infographic states that SIDS are vulnerable to food and nutrition security.

IFAD is strategically engaging with 23 SIDS countries in three key areas. On small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, IFAD works to strengthen fish value chains and increase nutrition-rich fish through aquaculture and mariculture. On smallholder agriculture, IFAD addresses financial inclusion, livestock and market opportunities, including the promotion of cocoa, coconut, nutmeg and ylang ylang in organic markets. IFAD aims to enhance resilience to environmental and climate change through coastal protection, land conservation, reforestation and water management efforts as well as by facilitating access to information, such as agro-meteorological data. Over the past 35 years, five million farmers, fishers and rural dwellers have benefited from 78 IFAD projects, which represent an investment of US$476 million. There are currently 19 IFAD-supported projects in 14 SIDS.

IFAD’s publication cautions that graduation from least developed country (LDC) to middle income country (MIC) status can mask persistent poverty and vulnerability and increased inequality, which is often associated with higher gross domestic product (GDP). The publication further outlines IFAD’s approach to systematizing, intensifying and scaling up its efforts to enhance food security and promote sustainable smallholder agriculture development in SIDS, building on lessons learned from its expertise in rural development and smallholder agriculture and field experience on poverty reduction and national government priorities. Such an approach represents an opportunity to increase results and impacts while reducing the high transaction costs of project delivery in SIDS and adjusting to a changing environment.

In the future, IFAD proposes “a global response to island voices for food security” based on partnerships and South-South and triangular cooperation, additional investment and financing, flexible multi-country programming and technical assistance. IFAD also recognizes the importance of meeting SIDS’ needs and priorities in the post-2015 development agenda.

IFAD also released a press release describing the Conference as a stepping stone for IFAD’s engagement with small island States. As part of its contributions to the SIDS Conference, IFAD will showcase its work on building partnership for producers to access new agricultural markets and assisting smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change, among other topics. [IFAD Press Release on SIDS Investments] [Publication: Infographic] [Publication: IFAD’s Approach in Small Island Developing States: A Global Response to Island Voices for Food Security] [IFAD Press Release on Publication]