Enabling poor rural people
to overcome poverty
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the earliest members of IFAD, but a programme approved in 1979 was not implemented because of the Soviet invasion. In recent years IFAD has funded two small grants supporting efforts to reduce rural poverty in upland areas.IFAD's first large-scale investment in the country is a grant that provides funds for the Rural Microfinance and Livestock Support Programme which was approved in April 2009. Read more
Bangladesh
IFAD has been working in Bangladesh for more than 30 years and has developed in-depth knowledge of the country's needs in the areas of infrastructure, inland fisheries, agriculture, markets, microfinance and gender. Based on this experience, and in full alignment with the government's sixth five-year plan, IFAD is committed to supporting more commercial and remunerative livelihoods for farmers and fishers. Read more
Since 1981 IFAD has approved a total of US$50.9 million for investments in seven programmes and projects in Bhutan. One programme is ongoing. IFAD has concentrated its operations in the eastern part of the country, which has a relatively dense population. It is also the area where food insecurity is highest. Read more
Since 1996, IFAD has invested US$61.7 million in six projects in Cambodia, which have mobilized overall investments for a total of US$155.9 million, IFAD loans support rural and agricultural development and improvement of the livestock subsector. Reducing rural poverty by improving rural livelihoods is the objective of the organization’s efforts to empower Cambodia’s poor people to raise their incomes and standards of living. Read more
China
In 1981 IFAD became one of the first international donors to finance operations in China. Since then it has provided loans for 25 rural development programmes and projects. Most IFAD-funded programme and project areas are located in China's remote and mountainous regions, where there are large numbers of poor indigenous peoples. Read more
DPR Korea
The first IFAD-funded project in the country became effective in 1996, when the economy was struggling to overcome the loss of its main foreign markets in Eastern Europe. The organization has invested a total of US$98.1 million in three projects in D.P.R. Korea. Read more
India
India is IFAD's largest borrower, as well as one of its main contributors. Working in close partnership with the Government of India and other donors, IFAD funds projects for rural development, tribal development, women's empowerment, natural resource management and rural finance. Since 1979 the organization has financed 25 programmes and projects, approving loans for a total of approximately US$797.3 million. Read more
Indonesia
Since 1980, IFAD has extended loans to the Republic of Indonesia for 15 programmes and projects totalling US$409.9 million. Eleven of the programmes and projects have been completed, and three are ongoing. IFAD has also funded a number of country and regional grants to support investment projects in the country. Read more
IFAD began operations in the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1980. Since then, it has provided a total of US$107.6 million in loans and grants for 12 programmes and projects. Read more
Maldives
Since 1982 IFAD has approved US$15.7 million in loans and grants for five programmes and projects with a total cost of US$39.3 million. The most recent operation is the Fisheries and Agricultural Diversification Programme. The programme will work to create access to high-value niche markets for quality output through three franchise companies that are the fruit of a partnership between the government, IFAD and the private sector. Read more
Since 1996 IFAD has helped rural poor people in Mongolia by funding development projects in the livestock sector, the key to the livelihoods of rural Mongolians. IFAD approved a first loan of US$3.5 million to the Mongolian Government to finance the Arhangai and Huvsgul Rural Poverty Alleviation Project (AHRPAP). Read more
Nepal
Nepal was one of the first countries to benefit from IFAD loans. Since 1978, IFAD has provided a total of US$198.2 million in loans for 14 projects. Four of those projects are ongoing. Projects have mobilized significant resources. For every dollar lent by IFAD, an additional dollar was committed by the government and other donors. Read more
Pakistan
Since 1978 IFAD has supported 24 programmes and projects in Pakistan with investments totalling US$492.7 million. The total cost of the organization's programme in Pakistan is US$2.16 billion. Five programmes and projects are ongoing. Through its country programme IFAD provides loans and technical assistance grants, and it supports policy dialogue, knowledge management and partnerships. Read more
Papua New Guinea: Read more
Philippines
Since 1978, IFAD has committed a total of US$168.8 million in financing 13 projects related to agricultural development in the Philippines. From its first project, which financed year-round irrigation to improve productivity in the Cagayan Valley of Northern Luzon, to the most recent, which supports a nationwide effort to regain self-sufficiency in rice production, IFAD has had a role in efforts to reduce poverty in the Philippines. The goals are to enable poor rural people to improve their incomes and food security, and provide better food, education and health care for their families. Read more
Samoa has been a member of IFAD since 1977. The organization has funded two projects in Samoa: the Rural Activation Project, which closed in 1996, and the Livestock Development Project, which closed in 1991. IFAD is in the process of redesigning its role in the country in response to Samoa's new middle income status. Read more
Solomon Islands: Read more
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to benefit from IFAD loans. Since 1978 IFAD has worked in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and other donors. IFAD has committed a total of US$238.9 million for 16 projects with the aim of empowering rural poor people to overcome poverty. Benefits of closed and ongoing projects help improve the lives and livelihoods of some 525,332 households. Read more
Timor-Leste
IFAD's intervention inTimor-Leste aims to boost the food self-sufficiency of the country and aligns with IFAD’s overarching goal of empowering rural women and men to achieve higher incomes and improved food security at the household level. About 70 per cent of Timor-Leste’s workforce is engaged in agriculture, with the majority working on subsistence farms.
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Thailand: Read more
Tonga
IFAD works for and with the poorest people in Viet Nam, including ethnic minorities, small-scale farmers and households headed by women. Strategies to reduce poverty and improve living conditions include building partnerships, strengthening institutional capacity and promoting participation. IFAD works with the government and other partners to empower poor rural people so they can have a role in decision-making. Read more