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IFAD Annual Report 2023: Steady progress and innovation in rural development amid a challenging global context

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Angola
Title: Angola – The Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Project (AFAP) – March 2023
Description: Lucinda Magalhães, is a 29-year-old mother of 5 children aged between 12 years to 6 months. Born and raised in Malanje, Lucinda has been working with the Binzole Cooperative since 2015, fishing and farming.

The Cooperative changed her life, providing when a problem arises. Lucinda further commented that, now, there is always food on the table.

The aim of the Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture Project (AFAP) is to improve food security and nutrition among artisanal inland fishing and fish-farming households. Through the Binzole Cooperative (Vila Maltide/Quissole Community), a rural community located in Malanje Province, about 417 Kms north/west of Luanda, nearly 50 families are supported by the project with 48 ponds excavated and stocked, and provided with pond maintenance material and security kits. AFAP has had a positive impact on income generating activities for both smallholder inland fisheries and aquaculture.

Size: 2.25 MB; 6240 x 4160 pixels; 528 x 352 mm (print at 300 DPI); 1651 x 1101 mm (screen at 96 DPI);
Show more details: António Penelas
Copyright: ©IFAD/António Penelas

IFAD Annual Report 2023: Steady progress and innovation in rural development amid a challenging global context

 

 

Rome, 25 June 2024. “More than any other group it is rural people who suffer the consequences of today’s escalating global crises,” said Alvaro Lario, President of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), at the launch today of IFAD’s Annual Report 2023: Investing in Rural Communities for a Sustainable Future.

The climate and biodiversity crisis, increasing conflicts, economic instability, and worsening inequality disproportionately affect rural inhabitants. Food insecurity is higher in rural areas compared to urban ones, and 80% of extreme poverty worldwide remains entrenched in rural regions.

“Rural people also hold the key to unlocking these challenges: with the right investments they can produce nutritious food for all while sustainably managing our natural resources,” said Lario.

 

©IFAD/António Penelas

 

IFAD’s Annual Report highlights “significant progress” in 2023, noting critical developments and initiatives that address the ongoing global crises and support rural communities worldwide. The report also provides “reasons for optimism”.

IFAD Member States committed record pledges for the 13th three-year Replenishment of IFAD’s resources. IFAD’s ambition is to mobilize US$2 billion in new funding to support a US$10 billion programme of work, and reach over 100 million rural people between 2025 and 2027.

With its solid AA+ credit rating, IFAD continued to leverage its borrowing ability to harness global wealth to make a difference in rural people’s lives. The specialized UN Agency and international financial institution issued two sustainable bond private placements in euros—worth €180 million—under its Sustainable Development Finance Framework. IFAD presented its first impact report at the London Stock Exchange, detailing how the proceeds of bonds issued in 2022 are being utilized to invest in approximately 2 million rural households.

As part of its focus on innovation, together with partners, IFAD introduced the Africa Rural Climate Adaptation Finance Mechanism (ARCAFIM) at last year’s COP 28 in Dubai. ARCAFIM is large-scale model of tailored climate adaptation finance for poor small-scale food producers and rural microenterprises. This innovative risk-sharing model blends donor resources with commercial funds to de-risk the loans made by local banks to small-scale farmers.

IFAD continues to advocate for the urgent need for climate finance for adaptation as the impact of climate change intensifies, meanwhile the gap with finance for mitigation efforts is widening. Through the Enhanced Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP+), the Fund continues to drive climate finance to the most vulnerable rural people, including those living in fragile contexts. IFAD has been blending grants with loans to support climate adaptation for rural communities through nature-based solutions and regenerative agriculture. Almost 7 million smallholder farmers across 41 countries have built resilience through climate adaptation interventions since the start of this programme.

Other highlights in 2023 include pioneering market-based mechanisms to compensate small-scale farmers for ecosystem services, establishing an Innovation Lab, and launching new funding modalities directly to rural organizations for climate-focused projects.

 

Strengthening IFAD’s organizational capacity

IFAD’s investment capabilities rely on its dedicated personnel. As part of the decentralization process initiated a few years ago, 40% of IFAD staff are now stationed in the field, closer to the small-scale food producers in developing nations in whom the Fund invests.

“Despite the significant challenges ahead, IFAD is better equipped than ever to collaborate with rural communities on sustainable and effective solutions to hunger and poverty, while equipping them to adapt to climate change,” added Lario.

Additionally, IFAD has surpassed 45% female representation in leading positions and senior management and achieved 55% representation from developing countries where IFAD invests. A total of 110 nationalities are represented among IFAD staff.

 

Media contact: Alberto Trillo Barca | a.trillobarca@ifad.org | +39 366 576 3706

 

Link to the picture and description

 

No.: IFAD/47/2024

IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency. Based in Rome – the United Nations food and agriculture hub – IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided more than US$24 billion in grants and low-interest loans to fund projects in developing countries. 

 

A wide range of photographs and broadcast-quality video content of IFAD’s work in rural communities are available for download from our Image Bank.

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