IFAD is the world’s fund for transforming agriculture, rural economies and food systems.
Simply put, IFAD invests in rural people. We do this by financing programmes, measuring results, innovating and working with rural people themselves.
Spanning five regions and 92 countries, IFAD works where poverty and hunger are deepest.
From building resilience to empowering rural people and protecting the environment, explore our main areas of work.
Wondering how you can help? Explore the many ways to get involved – and then join us!
Things look a bit different here, right!
IFAD's mission has been consistent for almost five decades: invest in rural people.
But the way we communicate about it to the world is constantly changing with the times.
Our new website makes it even easier to find out what we do – and why this matters.
Opinions & Insights
Rural futures in focus: Zimbabwe
We caught up with IFAD's Country Director for Zimbabwe, Francesco Rispoli, about the country's present challenges – and future potential.
This is a critical moment for water. Only by working together can we turn the tide
As leaders gather for World Water Week, IFAD President and UN-Water Chair Alvaro Lario shares insights on our planet's most precious resource.
Climate finance isn't working for Indigenous Peoples. This must change
Indigenous climate activist Helen Biangalen-Magata weighs in on the urgent need to rethink how development finance supports communities like hers.
Sustainable development can solve rural China's climate challenges
Our Associate Vice-President Donal Brown reflects on how IFAD has accompanied this dynamic country on its development journey – and how we will continue to collaborate into the future.
In Zambia, I saw rural resilience first-hand
IFAD Associate Vice-President Guoqi Wu shares insights after a visit to project areas in Zambia, which has been hit hard by drought.
When it comes to protecting biodiversity, we must all do our part
Biodiversity in all its forms has transformative power – protecting it requires a whole-of-society approach, in which we all play our part.
6 ways IFAD is helping to prevent the next pandemic
Given the complex interconnections between the health of animals, people and the planet, how can we prepare ourselves for the next pandemic? Here’s how IFAD’s investments are helping.
With new geospatial tools, mapping environmental impact is as easy as ABC
Launched this year by the IFAD-hosted Agri-PBD Platform, the ABC-Map uses satellite data to get a holistic view of environmental impact without requiring any ground data.
4 ways IFAD is using AI to transform rural development
Artificial Intelligence is not just a buzzword for IFAD – it is a powerful new technology that delivers better development results and increases impact.
Why rural development in Haiti matters, even during emergencies
IFAD’s Country Director for Haiti, Paolo Silveri, shares his insights on the current crisis – and explains why IFAD is committed to continuing operations.
Prosperity or the planet? Luckily, they're not mutually exclusive
All too often, value chain development harms the planet by emitting carbon and degrading environments. That’s why to build truly prosperous rural areas, we must make value chains not just strong, but sustainable.
When it comes to measuring water security, lived experiences matter
Water stress is growing around the world. To effectively tackle it, a new approach assesses not only whether water infrastructure is available and working, but also whether it is meeting the needs of the people who rely on it.