The only IFI focused on rural transformation & #FinancingTheFirstMile. @IFADPresident | @FIDA_LAC | @IFAD_MENA | @FIDAfriqueOuest | @IFADEastAfrica | @IFADAsia
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IFAD joined the Government of #Cameroon, the @WorldBankGroup and development partners to launch the AgriConnect Country Compact, a framework designed to accelerate agropastoral transformation, strengthen food security, create jobs and mobilize public and private investment.
The Compact focuses on strengthening agrifood systems, advancing policy and regulatory reforms, and expanding access to finance for producers and businesses across priority value chains. Through interventions spanning irrigation, mechanization, rural infrastructure, processing, digital solutions and agricultural finance, the Compact aims to:
🔹 increase annual maize production to 6 million tonnes and palm oil production to 800,000 tonnes;
🔹 achieve a 55% self-sufficiency rate in rice;
🔹 meet 60% of national milk demand through domestic production;
🔹 raise fisheries and aquaculture production to 450,530 tonnes.
IFAD’s contribution to these objectives builds on its ongoing investments in Cameroon, supporting small-scale producers, climate resilience, agroecological practices and agropastoral entrepreneurship among young people and women.
By connecting rural producers to finance, markets and new opportunities, AgriConnect aims to unlock the potential of Cameroon’s agrifood sector and build more resilient, inclusive rural economies.
Learn more about how Cameroon aims to transform its agrifood systems at ifad.org/en/w/news/ifad-join…
#AgriConnect #FinancingTheFirstMile
How can investing in biodiversity create win-win opportunities for rural economies?
Healthy, diverse ecosystems underpin the productive foundations of economic growth, food security and resilience. Yet these foundations are under pressure: 1.7 billion people live in areas where human-induced land degradation is reducing crop yields.
Under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, countries have committed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, and each country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) sets out how it will get there.
Despite being at the forefront of managing biodiversity, rural communities often receive the fewest economic returns for protecting these resources.
IFAD’s Climate, Environment and Biodiversity Strategy 2025–2031 aims to address this gap by connecting healthier ecosystems with better livelihoods and economic opportunities.
By aligning new country strategies with NBSAPs, IFAD investments connect national biodiversity commitments with broader rural investment opportunities, helping create a mutually reinforcing cycle of economic growth and sustainable natural resource management.
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/explainers/5-w…
@COP17_Arm2026 | @UNBiodiversity | #FinancingTheFirstMile | #COP17Armenia
Between 2018 and 2025, IFAD-cofinanced programmes reached more than 450,000 rural people, improving their productivity, assets and incomes, according to a report by IFAD’s Independent Office of Evaluation.
The findings were discussed at a national workshop that brought together representatives of the government, development partners, the private sector and Indigenous Peoples, marking 30 years of partnership between IFAD and Cambodia.
“Learning from experience is essential to directing investment where it can make the greatest difference and ensuring that the benefits endure,” said Reehana Raza, IFAD Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “As we mark 30 years of partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, we are looking ahead to how our cooperation can respond to the changing needs of rural people.”
The evaluation assessed seven investment projects between 2018 and 2025, worth a total of US$948.6 million, including US$338.2 million in IFAD financing.
According to the report, integrated support combining agricultural extension, irrigation, inputs, productive assets, farmer organizations and finance generated strong productivity and diversification gains.
These findings offer important lessons for future investments, helping to strengthen rural livelihoods, expand economic opportunities and ensure that development gains endure.
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/news/ifad-inve…
#FinancingTheFirstMile
International Fund for Agricultural Development retweeted
Hunger has declined for a third consecutive year, but around 645 million people still face hunger and nearly 2.7 billion cannot afford a healthy diet. Progress is possible, but it remains uneven. At the opening of #CFS54, I highlighted the need to connect policy more closely with investment.
Making healthy diets affordable requires investment across the food system, from production and storage to processing, transport and markets. Small-scale producers need those systems to work so they can earn a better living and supply nutritious food reliably.
The Committee on World Food Security brings together governments, scientific evidence and the experience of communities to guide these decisions. @IFAD helps translate that guidance into investments shaped by countries’ priorities.
Through #IFAD14, we will focus on stronger markets, more rural jobs and greater resilience. Connecting farmers to buyers, reducing food losses and helping rural businesses grow are practical ways to improve both incomes and food affordability.
Our shared task is to ensure that global policy leads to better investment decisions and that those investments make healthy diets more affordable and rural livelihoods more secure.
#FinancingTheFirstMile
Digital innovation can strengthen rural economies when it reaches the first mile of food systems.
Through Innovatech 2.0, more than 32,000 rural households in Bangladesh, Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru are using digital solutions developed by 15 tech startups to access markets and financial services, manage crops, trace products and adopt more sustainable agricultural practices.
Funded by IFAD and the European Union and implemented by the German Sparkassenstiftung for International Cooperation (DSIK), Innovatech 2.0 connected emerging technology companies with 811 rural organizations. Its solutions included platforms linking producers with buyers, crop-management tools, data and traceability services, and savings and financing services tailored to small-scale producers.
“When innovation and investment reach the first mile of food systems, small-scale producers can create new opportunities, access markets and participate on better terms in an increasingly connected economy,” said RocĂo Medina BolĂvar, IFAD Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/news/digital-s…
#FinancingTheFirstMile
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the evidence points to a clear connection: rural economies are central to poverty reduction, food security and economic stability.
In rural areas, small-scale farmers produce nearly half of the world’s food and underpin local and national economies. IFAD invests in their ability to access finance, markets, infrastructure and climate-resilient resources to raise incomes and better withstand shocks.
The results are measurable. In recent impact assessments, IFAD-supported participants saw incomes rise by 34%, production by 35% and market access by 34%.
These gains are particularly relevant in fragile or conflict-affected situations and areas exposed to climate extremes, where more than 50% of IFAD project participants live. In these contexts, IFAD-supported investments have delivered average income and production gains of around 30%.
IFAD’s work in these settings also addresses drivers of fragility and instability, contributing to reduced conflict risk and forced migration alongside income and production gains.
For IFAD, financing the first mile of development means directing resources, partnerships and opportunities to rural communities – where investments support livelihoods, food systems and long-term economic resilience.
Read more at ifad14.ifad.org
#EndPovertyDay #FinancingTheFirstMile
Investors, policymakers, risk practitioners and other stakeholders need strong evidence to make lending decisions and mobilize capital in the markets where it’s needed most.
As a member of the Global Emerging Markets Risk Database, IFAD is proud to contribute to the latest GEMs statistics, which now include, for the first time, a pilot study of returns to GEMs members.
Together with GEMs default and recovery statistics, the new analysis helps improve understanding of lending outcomes in emerging markets and developing economies.
Explore the publications and supporting materials at gemsriskdatabase.org
#FinancingTheFirstMile #GEMs
For innovation to transform rural areas at scale, investment must reach the first mile of food systems, where production, markets, finance and institutions meet.
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At today’s #WorldFoodDay Global Ceremony at @FAO, IFAD Vice-President @g_mukeshimana reaffirmed that every meal has a first mile, where small-scale food producers decide what to grow, when to plant and how to manage risks, long before food reaches our tables.
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From roads and storage to finance, connectivity and skills, IFAD invests in the building blocks that enable innovation to reach more farmers, businesses and communities.
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Between 2022 and 2024, IFAD investments helped 49 million people increase their incomes, 39 million improve access to markets and 40 million increase production.
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#FinancingTheFirstMile
International Fund for Agricultural Development retweeted
We can achieve more for rural communities when we design and invest together. That means bringing their needs into our joint investments from the outset, and connecting rural businesses and markets to larger infrastructure and financing.
As I conclude my participation in the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok, this is the opportunity ahead of us. Our new co-financing agreements with @WorldBankGroup and @isdb_group will help us combine our resources and expertise at the first mile. We are also strengthening cooperation through #AgriConnect and #WaterForward, while working with private investors to expand opportunities for rural agribusinesses.
@IFAD brings almost 50 years of experience working with governments and rural communities to develop markets and bankable investments. That experience is essential to ensuring larger financing initiatives reach small-scale producers and rural entrepreneurs.
On #WorldFoodDay, the purpose of this cooperation is clear. More jobs, greater food security and more resilient rural economies.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
Food is never just food: in rural areas, it can become an engine for economic growth. On #WorldFoodDay, IFAD looks at how investment in the first mile of food value chains can strengthen rural economies, expand market access and raise incomes for small-scale producers.
IFAD’s investments in food systems address the interconnected elements that shape how food moves from production to consumption – people, processes, infrastructure, institutions and natural resources. By supporting productivity, post-harvest handling, local value addition and market connectivity, these investments help producers capture a greater share of the value they generate.
The results are visible at scale. Over the past three years, IFAD-supported programmes have helped 49 million people increase their incomes, 39 million improve their access to markets and 40 million raise production. Every US$1 in donor contributions translates into US$6 of investment on the ground through core contributions, loan reflows, investment income, borrowing and co-financing.
In Meghalaya, India, a US$200,000 IFAD investment in machinery and cold storage is helping a local cooperative process pineapple and other produce into higher-value products. By connecting farmers to wider markets and reducing post-harvest losses, the investment has helped raise farmer earnings from INR 2–3 to as much as INR 12 per pineapple.
Read more at ifad14.ifad.org
#FinancingTheFirstMile
International Fund for Agricultural Development retweeted
Investing in rural economies strengthens food security, creates jobs and sustains trade, especially as climate shocks and instability put these foundations under pressure.
Today, I met Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, @randeepssarai. Canada’s CAD263 million climate finance commitment through @IFAD supports three investments alongside US$403 million in partner financing, helping rural communities access investment and markets while managing climate risks.
With the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, @ministerBHOS, I discussed how rural investment supports prosperity and stability, including in fragile contexts. Dutch partnerships are strengthening Nepal’s ginger value chain through work with SNV and a Dutch company, while our cooperation with Rabo Partnerships supports national development banks.
At @WorldBankGroup #AgriConnect roundtable, “Feeding Asia: The Next Trillion-Dollar Investment Opportunity”, we explored how to translate rural business opportunities into investment. There are ongoing discussions to mobilize US$30 million through IFAD operations in Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka.
Rural investment belongs at the centre of the global financing agenda. Stronger economies, reliable food supplies and lasting stability depend on backing the people and businesses at the first mile with the capital to deliver.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings | @CanadaDev | @MinBZ
How can investing in rural women unlock new income opportunities and strengthen rural economies?
When rural women have greater access to productive assets, skills and economic opportunities, the benefits can extend far beyond individual households. Increased incomes, stronger agricultural production and greater participation in local markets can help build more resilient and inclusive rural communities.
In #Pakistan, the IFAD-funded Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Project (SPPAP) is demonstrating how targeted investments can help rural women strengthen their economic independence and improve their livelihoods.
Supported by the project, 188,639 women have been able to purchase livestock, creating new opportunities to generate income and build economic security. One example is Bano, who used support from SPPAP to purchase goats. By turning their milk into butter and yogurt for sale, she has developed an additional source of income and strengthened her family's livelihood.
By expanding women's access to productive assets and strengthening their control over resources, these investments create new economic opportunities, support greater independence and contribute to more resilient rural communities.
Find out more at: ifad.org/en/w/rural-voices/h…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #RuralWomensDay
Driving rural economic growth requires investments that seamlessly integrate structured financing, private sector linkages and deep local reach.
In #Nepal, this approach was advanced through a US$18.9 million initiative co-financed by IFAD, the Government of Nepal, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and other partners.
From 2011 to 2018, the High Value Agriculture Project in Hill and Mountain Areas (HVAP) helped strengthen value chains by building business literacy and financial management skills, and by brokering agreements between producer organizations and agribusinesses.
A key milestone came in 2014, when HVAP partnered with The Organic Valley and a Dutch joint-venture partner to establish a commercial-scale spice processing unit in western Nepal. That investment helped transform the ginger and turmeric value chains by linking small-scale producers to stronger, more reliable markets.
The results were significant: by 2022, production had increased from 300 metric tons to 2,400 metric tons, farmers’ incomes had risen by 37%, and crop earnings had grown by 50%.
Today, The Organic Valley sources organic ginger from more than 1,400 farmers and exports to international markets, including France and Germany, while expanding into other high-value crops such as turmeric and Sichuan pepper.
Explore how private sector linkages are transforming rural economies at ifad.org/en/w/rural-voices/s…
#FinancingTheFirstMile
Estimates suggest that closing gaps in agricultural productivity and wages between women and men could add nearly US$1 trillion to the global economy. Around the world, women play a central role in transforming the socio-economic fabric of rural areas.
On #RuralWomensDay, hear from Loise Maina, IFAD’s Global Lead Technical Specialist on Gender and Social Inclusion, about five investments that are advancing women’s role in rural economies, from women-led enterprises to innovations that have successfully removed barriers to women’s economic participation.
Read more at women.ifad.org
#FinancingTheFirstMile
International Fund for Agricultural Development retweeted
Today, I held a series of bilateral discussions with Member States and development finance institutions, focused on deepening cooperation, expanding investment opportunities and translating shared priorities into concrete results for rural communities.
I met with Jeremy Wiggins of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Nguyen Quoc Phuong, Director General at Viet Nams Ministry of Finance and Liao Min, China's Vice Minister of Finance. These discussions are important to deepening our engagement with Member States and identifying opportunities for stronger collaboration.
I also met Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of @TheOPECFund , and Michael Jongeneel, CEO of @FMO_development, to explore closer cooperation on development finance, private-sector investment and market creation, particularly in fragile contexts.
A key milestone was signing a new cooperation and co-financing agreement with @isdb_group, alongside its President, Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser. This provides an important foundation for expanding joint investments, strengthening institutional cooperation and bringing our complementary expertise together.
I also welcomed partners from the @arabcoordgroup for an exchange on how we can strengthen coordination, identify shared priorities and deliver greater collective impact.
By working more closely across governments, international financial institutions and development banks, we can turn shared priorities into coordinated action and greater impact for rural communities on the ground.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings | @IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural Development retweeted
This morning, I hosted an #IFAD14 Asia and the Pacific Ministerial Roundtable, together with the Government of the Philippines on the margins of the @WorldBankGroup and @IMFNews Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
I was pleased to welcome Ministers and representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Viet Nam, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Kiribati among others. The strong participation of Pacific Island countries was particularly important, highlighting the need for greater investment in resilient rural economies.
The challenges are significant. Some countries in the region import over 85% of their fertilizer, while most Pacific small island developing states depend on imports for more than 60% of their food. Global supply chain disruptions and rising costs directly affect farmers, rural businesses and food security.
Yet the opportunities are equally significant.
Asia and the Pacific is @IFAD's largest regional portfolio, with deep domestic capital markets, dynamic private sectors and innovative financing models.
From mobilizing private co-financing for rural enterprises in Bangladesh to strengthening agricultural value chains in the Philippines, targeted public investment can reduce risks and unlock additional capital.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings | @IFADAsia
IFAD and the @isdb_group will mobilize up to US$750 million in co-financing to drive sustainable agricultural development.
Under a newly signed agreement, the two institutions will combine their financing power, specialized expertise, and global reach to scale up investments that will transform rural economies, eradicate poverty and strengthen food security.
“Through this agreement, we are scaling up investment in the first mile of food systems to create jobs, increase incomes, and build more prosperous and resilient rural economies,” said @IFADPresident Alvaro Lario.
IsDB and IFAD will broaden their cooperation across critical areas, including agribusiness value chains, market access, rural finance and financial inclusion, climate adaptation, sustainable natural resource management and water access.
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/news/isdb-and-…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGmeetings
Unlocking market opportunities enables rural communities to increase incomes and reduce poverty. With greater access to capital, knowledge and technology, small-scale farmers can expand their businesses and strengthen their resilience. Stronger links with agroenterprises open pathways to markets, support innovation and create new opportunities for more inclusive growth.
In the #Philippines, IFAD’s Rural Agroenterprise Partnerships for Inclusive Development and Growth Project (RAPID) is strengthening agricultural value chains to improve rural livelihoods and transform rural economies.
Through stronger partnerships across agricultural value chains, RAPID has reached 84,711 small-scale farmers, 876 farmers' organizations and 1,049 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – helping connect rural producers and businesses with market opportunities and supporting more inclusive, sustainable growth.
By improving access to markets, productive capital, knowledge and technology, RAPID is helping small-scale producers and rural enterprises strengthen their businesses, build resilience and create new opportunities for rural communities.
Learn more at ifad.org/en/w/explainers/how…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
Today, IFAD and the @WorldBankGroup signed a new Co-Financing Framework Agreement to scale up joint investment in rural economies and food systems. Signed during the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, the agreement aims to strengthen rural resilience, create jobs and expand economic opportunities for rural communities.
The agreement builds on the two institutions’ partnership across multiple initiatives, including #AgriConnect, which aims to help transform agriculture for 300 million smallholder farmers by 2030, and #WaterForward, which seeks to improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030.
“Together, the World Bank and IFAD bring the scale, reach and expertise to transform rural economies and agrifood systems,” said @IFADPresident Alvaro Lario. “This agreement will enable us to turn our shared ambition into greater investment, more jobs, stronger resilience and improved food security for millions of people.”
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/news/world-ban…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
