International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Establishment: Founded in 1977 as a specialized agency of the United Nations, IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger in developing countries. – Purpose: To empower rural people to increase their food security, improve nutrition, and enhance their incomes. – Headquarters: Rome, Italy. |
| Objectives | – Poverty Reduction: Alleviate rural poverty by promoting sustainable agricultural development. – Food Security: Enhance food production and access to nutritious food for rural communities. – Economic Development: Support rural economies through investment in agriculture and related sectors. – Capacity Building: Strengthen the abilities of rural institutions and communities. |
| Members as of December 2024 | – Composition: IFAD comprises 177 Member States, including both developed and developing countries. – Recent Memberships: As of December 2024, no new members have been added since the previous year. |
| Reports/Indices | – Annual Report: Provides comprehensive insights into IFAD’s operations, financial status, and project outcomes. – Report on IFAD’s Development Effectiveness (RIDE): An annual assessment of IFAD’s performance and impact in achieving its development objectives. – Rural Development Report: A flagship publication analyzing global rural development trends and strategies. – Climate Action Report: Includes case studies showcasing how targeted and inclusive investments are helping to build sustainable livelihoods, protect ecosystems, and empower communities to adapt and thrive. – Annual Report on the Independent Evaluation of IFAD: Analyzes performance ratings from project-level evaluations and country strategy and programme evaluations, as well as findings from corporate-level, thematic, and project cluster evaluations. |
| Instruments | – Agreement Establishing IFAD (1976): The foundational treaty outlining IFAD’s purpose, functions, and governance structure. – Lending Policies and Criteria: Guidelines governing the terms and conditions of IFAD’s financial assistance to member countries. – Policies and Criteria for IFAD Financing: Frameworks defining eligibility and prioritization for funding. |
| Structure | – Governing Council: The highest decision-making body, consisting of all Member States, meets annually to set policies and approve budgets. – Executive Board: Responsible for overseeing operations and approving projects and programs. – President: The chief executive officer, responsible for the overall management of IFAD. – Divisions: Includes various departments focusing on program management, financial operations, and strategic planning. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – Evaluation Committee: Assesses the impact and effectiveness of IFAD’s projects and programs. – Audit Committee: Oversees financial reporting and internal controls. |
| Committees | – Programme Management Department: Manages the design and implementation of IFAD-funded projects. – Financial Operations Department: Handles financial management, including resource mobilization and disbursement. – Strategy and Knowledge Department: Focuses on policy development, research, and knowledge dissemination. |
| Initiatives | – Crisis Response Initiative (CRI): Launched in May 2022 to support small-scale farmers in maintaining their livelihoods amid crises. – Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF): Established to provide rapid assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. – AGRIdigitalización Project: Implemented in Latin America and the Caribbean to help small-scale farmers access online services and new markets. – Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific (FO4ACP): A program aimed at strengthening farmers’ organizations to improve their services to members. – African Agriculture Transformation Initiative (AATI): A collaborative effort to accelerate agricultural transformation in Africa, focusing on enhancing productivity and market access. – Prime Africa Initiative: Aims to boost rural development in Kenya through digital remittances, making transactions faster, safer, and cheaper. |
