International Fund for Agricultural Development

Innovative food bank keeps families together by helping them through the `hunger season'

In Niger, a combination of recurrent drought and widespread poverty leaves the most vulnerable people unable to cope when environmental shocks occur. Now, a new type of food bank provides poor farmers with access to cereal grains when there are seasonal or unexpected food shortages. These banks, managed exclusively by women, are improving nutrition, keeping families together and accruing interest in the form of grain in the warehouses. They have sustained many households in the Maradi area through the recent drought and food crisis, which has seen cereal production drop by nearly a third.
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Organic and fair trade production revitalize cocoa industry in São Tome and Principe

More than a decade ago, cocoa producers in Sao Tome and Principe were suffering because of falling global prices for cocoa. Many of them abandoned their cocoa plantations, while others cut down the trees to clear land for maize or other crops. Thanks to IFAD and its partners, nearly 2,200 farmers are now growing cocoa certified as organic or fair-trade for the international chocolate industry.
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International year of youth

Young people have tremendous energy, imagination and initiative. To deploy these traits in the service of enhancing peace and boosting economic development, the United Nations proclaimed an International Year of Youth starting on 12 August 2010.At IFAD, we recognize that poor young people living in rural areas have the potential, as the farmers and producers of tomorrow, to help feed the world’s growing population. Unfortunately, however, these young people are also among the most vulnerable members of society.
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