Stories

Farming is an uncertain and risky business, especially for poor smallholders in remote areas of developing countries. However, a new study shows how data gathered by satellite could help poor farmers manage their risks more effectively through index insurance.

Longer dry seasons and unpredictable rainfall are having a serious impact on the farming communities in the semi-arid zone, or Caatinga biome, in the state of Bahia in north-eastern Brazil.

Marielena and Julio come from the town of San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, where a small green fruit – the avocado – has changing their lives and that of their community.

Pathe Ndiaye, 26, stands in the middle of an onion field in Kaolack, Senegal and succinctly sums up why he returned to his rural home after spending years in the city. “Life is better here.”

Thouraya Lahmer and Aoun Ouni are two villagers from the south of Tunisia. Although they are not policy makers or soil experts, they both contribute to feeding the world. 

In Mali, young rural people find it difficult to borrow funds to start or develop their agricultural activities. This may now change thanks to the Babyloan Mali platform.

In an iconic decision at COP 23, negotiators in Bonn agreed to new negotiation processes to “jointly address” a number of new agriculture topics – for the first time naming agriculture directly in the agreement.

The UNFCCC COP23 is officially under way after an exciting opening ceremony. President of UNFCCC COP22 in Marrakech last year, H.E. Mr. Salaheddine Mezouar, talked about the triumphs of the Moroccan presidency and paid tribute to Fiji.

The dry and dusty Tunuyán riverbed contrasts sharply with the dark and heavy clouds that threaten rain. "You are arriving just in time for the rain although, to tell you the truth, this year we have had plenty of it", comments Silvia Gómez, President of the Asociación La Gloriosa, with a smile. She welcomes us to La Gloriosa, in the department of La Paz in Mendoza, Argentina.

On 20-21 November 2017, high-level government representatives, development professionals, representatives of the private sector, members of international civil society and academia will meet in Brasilia at the first IFAD-organized conference to promote rural innovations and solutions through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) for improved livelihoods in developing countries.

Gavharbi Ahmadova and Faizov Kamarali are both from the Khatlon region in Tajikistan but from different villages. Although they have never met, they have a lot in common - they both struggle to sustain their families with a steady income through farming, an almost impossible task given the near absence of agricultural machinery with which to cultivate land and harvest crops on time.  

When Mosammat Karfunnesa, 50, was raising her four sons in rural Bangladesh, she could not afford to send them to school, and her husband, a rural laborer, was often unemployed. But despite these challenges, Karfunnesa never gave up on wanting to make a difference for her family.

The Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network (CSAYN) are coming to the UNFCCC COP23 in Bonn this November. IFAD has partnered with CSAYN because of their shared passion for raising awareness of climate change impacts and actions amongst young people in rural communities.

October 15 is the International Day of Rural Woman and a chance to celebrate the accomplishments of rural women around the world. Rural women play key roles in their families, communities and countries, and yet they are often severely disadvantaged, economically, socially and politically.

While droughts devastate maize yields in parts of Kenya, IFAD supports farmers to grow more resilient crops, such as short-stemmed sorghum.

Drought threatens much of East and Southern Africa, putting farmers’ livelihoods at risk. But with IFAD funding, communities in Kenya are growing trees to help safeguard their future.

In September, the Heads of the UN’s three Rome-based food agencies visited drought-affect parts of Ethiopia where at least 8.5 million people were in need of food aid.

Global hunger is on the rise again after steadily declining for over a decade, according to the latest report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.

Try the Recipe at home: Muviku - Kenya

New research shows how food, agro-industrial and human waste can support food security and sustainability around the world.

Innovative strategies increase milk production and boost small farmers’ food security and livelihoods.

By creating employment opportunities for rural youth, countries can reap the demographic dividends of a young vibrant workforce.

A growing IFAD-supported movement in the Pacific Islands is helping farmers tap into international organics markets. By having their products certified as organic, Pacific Island farmers are raising their incomes, increasing their resilience and maintaining their cultures.

With her granddaughter in hand, Ruth Stephen Chileshe proudly shows off the large iron-roofed brick house she recently built selling maize, cassava, beans and ground nuts from her small farm in rural Zambia. Only 10 meters down the pathway stands the remnants of her old and much smaller home.