Agricultural Sector Development Programme

IFAD invests loan funds in supplementary financing to the nationwide development programme, to counteract the depletion of the initial funds committed by development partners as part of a basket fund arrangement. IFAD's investment supports the programme's work with the poorest farmers, targeting those who have the potential to improve their agricultural productivity and incomes, and people who are food insecure.

The objectives of the programme are to:

• improve farmers' access to and use of agricultural knowledge, technologies, marketing systems and infrastructure, for the purpose of contributing to higher productivity, profitability and farm incomes
• promote private investment based on an improved regulatory and policy environment

Participating farmers will prepare village development plans, which will be consolidated into district agricultural plans financed by the programme, and they will directly implement activities under the village plans. The programme provides support for agricultural activities in the proportion of about two thirds at local levels and about one third at national level, at which it assists agricultural sector line ministries.

Source: IFAD