The United States Department of State and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) unveiled this week in Washington, DC a new joint initiative to assist the flow of investment from international migrants to reduce rural poverty and boost food security in their home countries.

The Diaspora Investment in Agriculture (DIA) initiative was presented by IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze on Tuesday, May 17 at the Secretary's Global Diaspora Forum, hosted at the State Department by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The DIA will seek to migrant entrepreneurs and  diaspora organizations to stimulate the agricultural sector in developing countries, particularly post-conflict nations and fragile states. According to IFAD, investments in agriculture and efforts to better link farmers with emerging markets can have an enormous positive impact on economic growth and food security.

Through the DIA initiative, IFAD and the State Department, in collaboration with partner donors and international institutions, will work with diaspora investors worldwide and local organizations and communities in their home countries.  The program seeks to assist and encourage investments by migrants in business opportunities that enhance food security, generate economic opportunity and foster job growth in rural areas.