 |
IFAD
in China
In 1981 IFAD became one of the first international donors to operate in China and since then has provided loans for 21 rural development projects. Most of IFAD’s project areas are located in China’s remote and mountainous regions, where there are high numbers of poor, indigenous peoples. Projects are usually designed especially to target rural women, because women are largely responsible for farm production and household tasks. Project activities have included land improvement, irrigation and water conservation, as well as food, cash-crop, livestock and fish production. Most activities are funded through IFAD-supported microfinance services, which allow poor rural households to obtain access to small loans or savings schemes. According to recent government estimates, over 30 million people in 21 provinces have benefited from IFAD projects. Cooperation between China and IFAD has also helped generate better agricultural and economic policies in the country’s rural areas. In the light of increasing regional and local disparities and the government’s objective of establishing a more balanced and affluent society, IFAD will continue to work towards eradicating poverty in remote areas and improving conditions for low-income households. In April 2004 Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu and IFAD President Lennart Båge met in Rome and reaffirmed IFAD’s support of China’s anti-poverty and development strategy. The updated Country Strategic Opportunity Paper 2005 highlights the catalytic role and focus of IFAD’s activities in China. The new strategy is driven by an emphasis on access and on innovation. IFAD promotes access for poor women and men to information and knowledge, and to natural resources, appropriate financial services and quality premium markets. By introducing sector programmes, IFAD directs its resources towards a limited number of strategic opportunities. Positive results of pilot programmes will be a basis for policy adjustment and for up-scaling that will utilize the government’s own resources. Source: IFAD |
|
 |
 |
email this article
Ongoing IFAD operations
