Bologna, 5 September 2012 - The International Exhibition of Organic and Sustainable products -SANA – (Bologna 8 -12 September2012) in coordination with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Ethical and Environmental Certification Institute (ICEA) and the Sustainable Commodity Initiative (SCI) are pleased to invite journalists to the seminar on “How access to markets for organic and fairtrade certified products can improve smallholders’ income in developing countries”.

The seminar will highlight how IFAD develops value chain partnerships through sustainable certification processes and the role played by the Strengthening Smallholders’ Access to Markets for Certified Sustainable Products (SAMCERT) programme, a grant from IFAD. First-hand accounts will be provided by representatives from Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone and private companies.

Journalists wishing to attend are requested to confirm their participation by sending an email to: Chiara Scaraggi - +39.051.272986

Media Alert No: IFAD/07/2012

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) works with poor rural people to enable them to grow and sell more food, increase their incomes and determine the direction of their own lives. Since 1978, IFAD has invested almost US$14 billion in grants and low-interest loans to developing countries through projects empowering about 400 million people to break out of poverty, thereby helping to create vibrant rural communities. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized UN agency based in Rome – the United Nations’ food and agriculture hub. It is a unique partnership of 168 members from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), other developing countries and the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD)