IFAD and India Partner to Boost Climate Resilience and Agricultural Innovation

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of India have entered a new phase of strategic cooperation aimed at accelerating investment, innovation, and inclusive growth across rural India. The renewed collaboration focuses on strengthening rural livelihoods, expanding climate-resilient agriculture, supporting farmer organisations, and boosting entrepreneurship in rural economies.

The development comes after a high-level IFAD delegation concluded a five-day visit to India, where discussions were held with senior government officials, state leaders, financial institutions, and grassroots organisations to deepen long-term cooperation.

The visit highlighted India’s growing role as one of IFAD’s most important global partners, with rural transformation, agricultural modernization, and community-led development at the centre of future collaboration.

High-Level IFAD Delegation Visits India

The IFAD delegation was led by Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President for the Department of Country Operations.

He was accompanied by:

• Reehana Raza, IFAD Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific

• Marc de Sousa-Shields, IFAD Country Director for India

• Senior representatives from the IFAD India Country Office

During the visit, the delegation met officials from key Indian ministries including:

• Ministry of Finance

• Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)

• Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)

Among the senior officials participating in discussions were:

• Anu Mathai, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs

• Divyasharshini, Director, Department of Economic Affairs

• Atish Chandra, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

• Rohit Kansal, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development

The meetings focused on expanding cooperation in areas such as climate adaptation, digital agriculture, financial inclusion, rural enterprise development, and agricultural productivity.

IFAD Unveils New Eight-Year Road Map for India

As part of the renewed partnership, IFAD introduced a new eight-year strategic roadmap for India aimed at scaling up sustainable rural development initiatives.

The organisation said the roadmap seeks to build stronger systems capable of:

• Mobilising co-financing

• Supporting innovation

• Reducing investment risks

• Integrating successful development models into India’s national policy framework

A major focus of the strategy is strengthening grassroots community institutions that already play a critical role in rural India.

These include:

• Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

• Cooperatives

According to IFAD, these institutions serve as key platforms connecting rural communities with finance, technology, infrastructure, markets, and government support schemes.

Focus on Agricultural Self-Sufficiency and Climate Resilience

Discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare focused heavily on India’s priority areas for agricultural reform and food security.

Key issues discussed included:

• Strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations

• Improving self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds

• Enhancing input-use efficiency for small farmers

• Expanding digital agriculture in remote areas

• Promoting climate-resilient crops such as millets

India has increasingly prioritised millets and other climate-resilient crops as part of its food security and sustainable agriculture agenda, especially in the face of climate change, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation.

The IFAD delegation highlighted that many of these goals are already being advanced through IFAD-supported projects operating across several Indian states.

These projects focus on:

• Value chain development

• Rural enterprises

• Climate-resilient agriculture

• Convergence with government welfare schemes

The Ministry acknowledged IFAD’s longstanding role in strengthening rural institutions and expressed support for continued collaboration.

Expanding Rural Finance and Private Sector Partnerships

The delegation also briefed government officials on IFAD’s growing partnerships with financial institutions and the private sector.

One of the major developments discussed was IFAD’s collaboration with NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).

The partnership aims to strengthen:

• Rural financing systems

• Agricultural value chains

• Institution building

• Market access for rural producers

A letter of intent between IFAD and NABARD was signed during the IFAD-India Partnership event for Rural Prosperity held recently in New Delhi.

Officials believe strengthening access to finance remains essential for empowering rural entrepreneurs, small farmers, women-led businesses, and producer organisations.

Entrepreneurship and Rural Livelihoods Prioritised

Meetings with the Ministry of Rural Development focused on several flagship rural development programmes, including:

• Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme (RPRP)

• Smart Villages initiative

Rohit Kansal, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, emphasised the importance of:

• Entrepreneurship

• Skill development

• Sustainable livelihood opportunities

• Youth employment

• Women’s economic participation

Donal Brown reiterated IFAD’s commitment to supporting community institutions and expanding cooperation with State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) and major government programmes.

He noted that approximately 75 percent of IFAD’s current portfolio in India is focused on:

• Value chain development

• Entrepreneurship promotion

• Rural economic transformation

India’s Digital Inclusion Model Highlighted

The discussions also explored opportunities for South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), particularly around India’s globally recognised JAM Trinity model.

The JAM framework combines:

• Jan Dhan bank accounts

• Aadhaar digital identity system

• Mobile technology platforms

The system has played a major role in expanding financial inclusion, direct benefit transfers, and digital access for millions of rural households.

IFAD officials highlighted India’s experience as a potential model for other developing countries seeking to improve rural service delivery and financial access.

Meghalaya Project Demonstrates Grassroots Impact

As part of the visit, the IFAD delegation travelled to Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya to review progress under the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP).

The IFAD-financed initiative supports community-led rural development and market access in the northeastern state.

The delegation visited:

• Farmer collectives

• Processing units

• Community institutions

• Rural enterprise initiatives

Officials interacted directly with grassroots organisations benefiting from the programme.

The visit also included discussions with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma regarding future development cooperation in the state.

Reehana Raza noted that IFAD’s partnership with Meghalaya has continued for nearly two decades, emphasizing the importance of long-term investments for sustainable rural development.

Proposed Collaboration in Assam

The delegation also met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to discuss a proposed rural development initiative in Assam.

The proposed programme aims to improve:

• Agricultural productivity

• Rural incomes

• Livelihood resilience

• Economic opportunities for farming communities

Further details are expected as discussions progress.

India Remains One of IFAD’s Largest Global Partners

India is one of IFAD’s founding members, and the partnership between the two spans more than 48 years.

Over the decades, IFAD has financed and supported numerous rural development programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods in underserved regions.

Currently:

• IFAD finances 35 rural development projects across India

• The total portfolio value stands at approximately US$4.2 billion

India is now considered one of IFAD’s largest and most significant global portfolios.

The renewed cooperation signals continued international support for India’s efforts to modernise agriculture, strengthen rural economies, empower local communities, and build climate resilience in one of the world’s largest rural populations.