Rome, 14 May 2009 – Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will address a panel discussion on ‘Closing the Food Gap’ during the World Economic Forum on the Middle East taking place on the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan on 15 to 17 May.

On the eve of the WEF, Nwanze said “agriculture is not an emergency intervention to be turned to in times of need.

It is the key to food security and a fundamental engine of economic growth and wealth generation. It should always be at the heart of the international agenda and requires consistent investment and commitment over time”.

“The vast majority of today’s developed countries grew out of strong agricultural foundations, where surplus production generated wealth and prosperity. Developing countries cannot leapfrog this stage of development. Nor should they” he added.

IFAD’s priority in the region is addressing water scarcity through an integrated approach.

‘The region’s agricultural sector has potential to sustain a steady increase in production, but only if its water resources are managed more effectively and efficiently’ said Nadim Khouri, Director of the Near East and North Africa region, IFAD.

“In the region, this means focussing on increasing the rational use of fresh water in agriculture by using modern water-saving irrigation systems; using improved varieties of drought resistant seeds; switching to crops that use less water; integrating the use of treated grey water, saline and brackish water in the production cycle, especially for forage production and reinforcing rain-fed agricultural productivity.”

Khouri emphasized that progress in these areas would better position the agriculture sector in the Arab region to help reduce dependency on food imports, create more work opportunities in rural areas, boost local economies and contribute to reducing rural poverty.

Over the 32 years since its establishment, IFAD invested more than US$1.35 billion in projects and programmes for a total value of US$4.8 billion.

About two thirds of the agricultural and rural development projects that IFAD has funded in the region are related to community-based natural resource management.

Media Advisory MA/04/09

---

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) works with poor rural people to enable them to increase their incomes, build their livelihoods and have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Since 1978, IFAD has invested over US$11 billion in grants and low-interest loans, helping approximately 340 million people in developing countries worldwide. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized UN agency based in Rome – the UN’s food and agricultural hub. It is a unique partnership of 165 members from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), other developing countries and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).