- First country to pledge to IFAD14, the Republic of Chad announces an increase, building momentum
Alvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) called for strong collective ambition – both in strategic priorities and in the scale of investments – as the Fund launched its 14th replenishment (IFAD14) consultations with Member States on Thursday.
Lario stressed that investing in rural transformation is essential to strengthen food security, spur economic growth, create employment and reinforce stability at a time of rising geopolitical fragmentation, tightening fiscal space and systemic risks to global food systems.
“IFAD14 is not simply another replenishment cycle. It is a test of collective capacity to act with realism, unity and purpose in a more uncertain world,” said Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD. “There is no lasting national stability without shared global stability and there is no shared stability without vibrant rural economies.”
According to a statement by IFAD, Lario highlighted a clear direction for IFAD14 with a focus on deeper market integration, connecting small-scale producers food value chains; expanded rural employment, particularly for youth to shape the stability of entire regions; and strengthened resilience to climate, conflict and economic shocks.
The first pledge to IFAD14 came from the Republic of Chad which announced an 11 per cent increase from its IFAD13 contribution, for a total amount of US$ 500,000.
“This increase reflects the importance of agricultural and rural development as a national priority for Chad – just as it is for many countries in the region—and a core pillar of Chad’s national development plan, Connection 2030. We encourage other countries to follow suit,” said Keda Ballah, Minister of Agricultural Production and Transformation. He highlighted how the collaboration between Chad and IFAD transformed lives in rural areas, despite climate challenges.
“The early and increased pledge from Chad is a strong signal of the trust member states place on IFAD’s ability to deliver impact and the long-term benefit they derive from our joint investments to transform rural economies,” said Lario.
Typically, over 100 countries contribute to IFAD’s replenishments, making it the most widely supported of all the major IFI replenishments. Over 65 low income and lower-middle income countries contributed to IFAD13, a strong indication of the importance and confidence they place in the Fund to deliver impact and transform rural economies.
Resources pledged to IFAD14 will finance the Fund’s 2028-2030 programme, combining public contributions with co-financing and other sources of capital including from the private sector to expand the reach and impact of IFAD’s projects in the world’s poorest rural areas.
The IFAD14 case for investment – Why invest in IFAD? – highlights how the Fund has a nearly 50-year track record of creating shared prosperity in rural areas by investing in small-scale food producers, small rural enterprises and agribusinesses. IFAD’s recent impact assessments show that project participants increased their income by 34 per cent, improved their market access by 35 per cent and increased their production by 35 per cent.
The IFAD statement noted: “Today, small-scale farmers produce half of the world’s food. Yet, poverty remains concentrated in rural areas, where 80 per cent of the world’s poorest live. With growing demand for food projected to raise by 56 per cent by 2030, opportunities open in food production, processing, distribution and services to rural economies. Meeting this demand could generate up to US$10 trillion in annual economic opportunities. Estimates show that with targeted investments, agrifood systems could generate an additional 120 million jobs across value chains.
“Every US$1 in donor contribution is transformed into US$6 on the ground illustrating how public resources can be multiplied by crowding in additional resources including from the private sector and domestic and international cofinancing, making the Fund one of the most effective development finance institutions globally.
“The IFAD replenishment consultations are a year‑long consultative process established by the Fund’s founding Members. Every three years, Member States are called upon to agree on the strategic directions for the Fund’s upcoming programme of work and mobilize the resources that enable the Fund to deliver on it.”
