IFAD, India mark new phase of cooperation on rural development with eight-year roadmap

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of India have marked a new phase of cooperation on sustainable rural development, with a senior IFAD delegation advancing an eight-year roadmap focused on finance, value chains, climate resilience and rural enterprise during a five-day visit to India, according to a statement.

The delegation, led by Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President for IFAD's Department of Country Operations, held discussions with senior officials from the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Rural Development on scaling investment and innovation in rural economies and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Brown was joined by Reehana Raza, IFAD Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Marc de Sousa-Shields, IFAD Country Director for India, and senior officials from the IFAD India Country Office.

According to IFAD, the new eight-year roadmap is designed to help build systems by mobilising co-financing, de-risking innovation and embedding successful approaches within India's policy and institutional frameworks.

Community institutions such as self-help groups (SHGs), farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives are expected to play a central role in linking finance, technology, infrastructure and markets.

In discussions with Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra, the delegation focused on key government priorities, including strengthening FPOs, promoting self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds, improving input-use efficiency for smallholders, expanding digital agriculture in remote regions and promoting climate-resilient crops such as millets, IFAD said in the statement.

Talks with Rural Development Secretary Rohit Kansal centred on flagship initiatives such as rural prosperity and resilience programme and smart villages.

As part of the visit, the delegation travelled to Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya to review community-led initiatives under the IFAD-financed Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP), interacting with farmer collectives, processing units and grassroots institutions.

Brown also met Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to discuss future collaboration, while separate discussions were held with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on a proposed initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in Assam.

Highlighting IFAD's long engagement with the northeastern region, Reehana Raza said, ''IFAD has maintained a partnership with Meghalaya for nearly two decades, and such long-term collaborations are essential for sustainable investments that support small farmers and rural communities.''.

India, a founding member of IFAD, has partnered with the organisation for over 48 years. IFAD currently finances 35 rural development projects across the country with an overall portfolio valued at USD 4.2 billion, making India one of the institution's largest portfolios globally.

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