Tracking investments in Tunisia with remote sensing
Many elements involved in IFAD-funded projects. As long as an element’s precise geographic coordinates are known, satellite imagery can be used to monitor any changes that have taken place.
Breaking the vicious circle of hunger and conflict
Hunger is both a cause and result of conflict. In fact, conflict is the main driver of hunger in most of the world’s food crises.
IFAD’s new book The People Behind Your Plate
As I scroll through the pages of the new photo book The People Behind Your Plate just published by IFAD, I remember my own visits with rural people in remote villages as I travelled around Lesotho to collect recipes for my cooking books.
There is a growing climate emergency facing smallholders across Asia Pacific – what is IFAD doing about it?
According to UN reports, the Asia Pacific region is the most disaster-prone region in the world. Nearly 45 per cent of the world’s natural disasters occur in the region.
Digital agriculture: key to helping small-scale producers overcome COVID-19 challenges
As we approach the first anniversary of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s an important moment to take stock on the impact of the pandemic, and to reflect on what we have learned, and what we can do better going forward.
Greening the Sahara: the Great Green Wall Initiative
In 2009, I travelled by road to Timbuktu, Mali on a short field trip. As we made our way down the dusty roads, I remember wondering what could possibly pull this arid, sparsely populated land into relative prosperity.
Climate change talks cannot continue to ignore the needs of small-scale farmers
Poor rural people are among the hardest hit by climate change while contributing little to its causes. They deserve a fair share of climate finance to improve their resilience, and a seat at the table for the global climate talks.
World Soil Day: A tribute to our friends underground
Today is World Soil Day, so let’s dwell a little on this amazing world of earthworms, mites, fungi and microbes.
Working closer as a UN family in country – a review of progress in implementing the UN reform agenda across Asia Pacific
The adoption of General Assembly resolution 72/279 in May 2018, triggered a consortium of UN organizations to come together and rethink how the United Nations Development System can deliver more coherent, accountable and effective support to help countries achieve the 2030 Agenda.
Why small farms are key to the future of food - and how we can support them
In the 25 years since Clayton Christensen coined the term “disruptive innovation,” much has been written about the benefits of shaking up established business practices.
In an urbanizing world, strong rural–urban links remain the key to resilient cities
As the world becomes more and more urbanized, many have suggested that cities hold the key to an efficient, sustainable future.
Agricultural risk management: Towards long-term resilience
Risk and uncertainty intensify in the agriculture sector – especially throughout Africa.
A look at the digital technologies transforming agriculture
Agriculture has periodically been shaken up by various technological revolutions. The latest? The advent of digital technologies.
The 14th Five-Year Plan: An opportunity to advance China’s agricultural and rural transformation
A unique opportunity for China to advance its agricultural and rural transformation agenda.
Three reasons to invest in land tenure security
For rural people, especially low-income rural people, land and livelihood are one and the same.
Disability in rural areas: A matter of perception
One billion people – 15 per cent of the world’s population – currently have a disability, and 80 per cent of them live in developing countries. People with disabilities, despite being “the world’s largest minority,” are often overlooked.
Opportunities for policy engagement in NEN and beyond
All too often, the path to sustainable development is blocked by outdated policies and legislation.
Results-based financing: A potential game-changer for IFAD's future operations
IFAD is always exploring new lending instruments to increase the number of potential financial solutions it can offer.
Fighting food waste in China: Local efforts, global effects
Reflecting on the fundamental role that sustainable food production and consumption plays in promoting food security and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
A second chance for Sri Lankan tea
I grew up knowing that Sri Lankan tea was truly something special. People all across my native Egypt competed with each other to bring home those packages with the trademark “Ceylon Tea” stamped on the side.
Maximizing impact in the LAC region with SSTC and knowledge management
Although the residents of the global South may live worlds apart from each other, they often face a surprisingly similar set of challenges.
IFAD country programmes adapt to the COVID-19 crisis: Updates from the Asia-Pacific region
The scale of the challenge has become ever more daunting across the region.
Years later, IFAD-established seed producer groups to continue improving their communities’ climate resilience
Lack of access to seed is a common problem for small-scale farmers in Nepal and elsewhere.
Location, location, location: Why using GIS in rural development projects is fundamental
Knowing the geographic location of people or things helps us to monitor well-being and assess the impact of events.