International financial institution unlocking the economic potential of rural communities in Asia and the Pacific by #FinancingTheFirstMile. Follow to see how.
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IFAD Asia retweeted
Any misuse of IFAD’s name represents a fraudulent scheme. If you received a suspicious message, do not reply.
Read IFAD’s official statement on fraud prevention at ifad.org/en/w/news/ifad-warn…
IFAD Asia retweeted
Sri Lanka’s irrigation systems comprise up to 30,000 interconnected tanks. How can satellite data help restore them?
In #SriLanka, satellite observations helped identify and monitor water bodies, supporting restoration efforts and improving water availability.
These tanks, or reservoirs, require regular upkeep to maintain their overall functionality. The IFAD-funded Smallholder Agribusiness and Resilience Project (SARP) aims to restore 260 of them.
To support tank restoration, IFAD, SARP and ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) Programme mapped the presence, extent and dynamics of water bodies across the SARP project area. Monthly satellite-derived maps identified over 10,650 water bodies.
The hydrological signature derived for each tank enables local authorities and communities to analyse historic tank usage and prioritize tanks for restoration.
ESA’s Global Development Assistance (@esa_gda_) Programme supports international financial institutions such as IFAD in leveraging Earth observation data for their operations.
Read the technical note at ifad.org/en/w/publications/w…
@esa | @ESA_EarthOnline | #FinancingTheFirstMile
IFAD Asia retweeted
Between 2018 and 2025, IFAD-cofinanced programmes reached more than 450,000 rural people, improving their productivity, assets and incomes, according to a report by IFAD’s Independent Office of Evaluation.
The findings were discussed at a national workshop that brought together representatives of the government, development partners, the private sector and Indigenous Peoples, marking 30 years of partnership between IFAD and Cambodia.
“Learning from experience is essential to directing investment where it can make the greatest difference and ensuring that the benefits endure,” said Reehana Raza, IFAD Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “As we mark 30 years of partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia, we are looking ahead to how our cooperation can respond to the changing needs of rural people.”
The evaluation assessed seven investment projects between 2018 and 2025, worth a total of US$948.6 million, including US$338.2 million in IFAD financing.
According to the report, integrated support combining agricultural extension, irrigation, inputs, productive assets, farmer organizations and finance generated strong productivity and diversification gains.
These findings offer important lessons for future investments, helping to strengthen rural livelihoods, expand economic opportunities and ensure that development gains endure.
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/news/ifad-inve…
#FinancingTheFirstMile
IFAD Asia retweeted
On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the evidence points to a clear connection: rural economies are central to poverty reduction, food security and economic stability.
In rural areas, small-scale farmers produce nearly half of the world’s food and underpin local and national economies. IFAD invests in their ability to access finance, markets, infrastructure and climate-resilient resources to raise incomes and better withstand shocks.
The results are measurable. In recent impact assessments, IFAD-supported participants saw incomes rise by 34%, production by 35% and market access by 34%.
These gains are particularly relevant in fragile or conflict-affected situations and areas exposed to climate extremes, where more than 50% of IFAD project participants live. In these contexts, IFAD-supported investments have delivered average income and production gains of around 30%.
IFAD’s work in these settings also addresses drivers of fragility and instability, contributing to reduced conflict risk and forced migration alongside income and production gains.
For IFAD, financing the first mile of development means directing resources, partnerships and opportunities to rural communities – where investments support livelihoods, food systems and long-term economic resilience.
Read more at ifad14.ifad.org
#EndPovertyDay #FinancingTheFirstMile
IFAD Asia retweeted
We can achieve more for rural communities when we design and invest together. That means bringing their needs into our joint investments from the outset, and connecting rural businesses and markets to larger infrastructure and financing.
As I conclude my participation in the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok, this is the opportunity ahead of us. Our new co-financing agreements with @WorldBankGroup and @isdb_group will help us combine our resources and expertise at the first mile. We are also strengthening cooperation through #AgriConnect and #WaterForward, while working with private investors to expand opportunities for rural agribusinesses.
@IFAD brings almost 50 years of experience working with governments and rural communities to develop markets and bankable investments. That experience is essential to ensuring larger financing initiatives reach small-scale producers and rural entrepreneurs.
On #WorldFoodDay, the purpose of this cooperation is clear. More jobs, greater food security and more resilient rural economies.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
IFAD Asia retweeted
Food is never just food: in rural areas, it can become an engine for economic growth. On #WorldFoodDay, IFAD looks at how investment in the first mile of food value chains can strengthen rural economies, expand market access and raise incomes for small-scale producers.
IFAD’s investments in food systems address the interconnected elements that shape how food moves from production to consumption – people, processes, infrastructure, institutions and natural resources. By supporting productivity, post-harvest handling, local value addition and market connectivity, these investments help producers capture a greater share of the value they generate.
The results are visible at scale. Over the past three years, IFAD-supported programmes have helped 49 million people increase their incomes, 39 million improve their access to markets and 40 million raise production. Every US$1 in donor contributions translates into US$6 of investment on the ground through core contributions, loan reflows, investment income, borrowing and co-financing.
In Meghalaya, India, a US$200,000 IFAD investment in machinery and cold storage is helping a local cooperative process pineapple and other produce into higher-value products. By connecting farmers to wider markets and reducing post-harvest losses, the investment has helped raise farmer earnings from INR 2–3 to as much as INR 12 per pineapple.
Read more at ifad14.ifad.org
#FinancingTheFirstMile
IFAD Asia retweeted
Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.
Join us for the #WorldFoodDay2026 celebrations, bringing together ideas for a food-secure future.
16 October 2026 | 4 PM onwards
Join us LIVE on YouTube and be part of the conversation!
🔗shorturl.at/HLE3v
@UNinIndia @WFPAsiaPacific
IFAD Asia retweeted
Investing in rural economies strengthens food security, creates jobs and sustains trade, especially as climate shocks and instability put these foundations under pressure.
Today, I met Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, @randeepssarai. Canada’s CAD263 million climate finance commitment through @IFAD supports three investments alongside US$403 million in partner financing, helping rural communities access investment and markets while managing climate risks.
With the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, @ministerBHOS, I discussed how rural investment supports prosperity and stability, including in fragile contexts. Dutch partnerships are strengthening Nepal’s ginger value chain through work with SNV and a Dutch company, while our cooperation with Rabo Partnerships supports national development banks.
At @WorldBankGroup #AgriConnect roundtable, “Feeding Asia: The Next Trillion-Dollar Investment Opportunity”, we explored how to translate rural business opportunities into investment. There are ongoing discussions to mobilize US$30 million through IFAD operations in Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka.
Rural investment belongs at the centre of the global financing agenda. Stronger economies, reliable food supplies and lasting stability depend on backing the people and businesses at the first mile with the capital to deliver.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings | @CanadaDev | @MinBZ
IFAD Asia retweeted
How can investing in rural women unlock new income opportunities and strengthen rural economies?
When rural women have greater access to productive assets, skills and economic opportunities, the benefits can extend far beyond individual households. Increased incomes, stronger agricultural production and greater participation in local markets can help build more resilient and inclusive rural communities.
In #Pakistan, the IFAD-funded Southern Punjab Poverty Alleviation Project (SPPAP) is demonstrating how targeted investments can help rural women strengthen their economic independence and improve their livelihoods.
Supported by the project, 188,639 women have been able to purchase livestock, creating new opportunities to generate income and build economic security. One example is Bano, who used support from SPPAP to purchase goats. By turning their milk into butter and yogurt for sale, she has developed an additional source of income and strengthened her family's livelihood.
By expanding women's access to productive assets and strengthening their control over resources, these investments create new economic opportunities, support greater independence and contribute to more resilient rural communities.
Find out more at: ifad.org/en/w/rural-voices/h…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #RuralWomensDay
IFAD Asia retweeted
Unlocking market opportunities enables rural communities to increase incomes and reduce poverty. With greater access to capital, knowledge and technology, small-scale farmers can expand their businesses and strengthen their resilience. Stronger links with agroenterprises open pathways to markets, support innovation and create new opportunities for more inclusive growth.
In the #Philippines, IFAD’s Rural Agroenterprise Partnerships for Inclusive Development and Growth Project (RAPID) is strengthening agricultural value chains to improve rural livelihoods and transform rural economies.
Through stronger partnerships across agricultural value chains, RAPID has reached 84,711 small-scale farmers, 876 farmers' organizations and 1,049 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) – helping connect rural producers and businesses with market opportunities and supporting more inclusive, sustainable growth.
By improving access to markets, productive capital, knowledge and technology, RAPID is helping small-scale producers and rural enterprises strengthen their businesses, build resilience and create new opportunities for rural communities.
Learn more at ifad.org/en/w/explainers/how…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
IFAD Asia retweeted
Today, I held a series of bilateral discussions with Member States and development finance institutions, focused on deepening cooperation, expanding investment opportunities and translating shared priorities into concrete results for rural communities.
I met with Jeremy Wiggins of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Nguyen Quoc Phuong, Director General at Viet Nams Ministry of Finance and Liao Min, China's Vice Minister of Finance. These discussions are important to deepening our engagement with Member States and identifying opportunities for stronger collaboration.
I also met Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, President of @TheOPECFund , and Michael Jongeneel, CEO of @FMO_development, to explore closer cooperation on development finance, private-sector investment and market creation, particularly in fragile contexts.
A key milestone was signing a new cooperation and co-financing agreement with @isdb_group, alongside its President, Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser. This provides an important foundation for expanding joint investments, strengthening institutional cooperation and bringing our complementary expertise together.
I also welcomed partners from the @arabcoordgroup for an exchange on how we can strengthen coordination, identify shared priorities and deliver greater collective impact.
By working more closely across governments, international financial institutions and development banks, we can turn shared priorities into coordinated action and greater impact for rural communities on the ground.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings | @IFAD
IFAD Asia retweeted
This morning, I hosted an #IFAD14 Asia and the Pacific Ministerial Roundtable, together with the Government of the Philippines on the margins of the @WorldBankGroup and @IMFNews Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
I was pleased to welcome Ministers and representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Viet Nam, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Kiribati among others. The strong participation of Pacific Island countries was particularly important, highlighting the need for greater investment in resilient rural economies.
The challenges are significant. Some countries in the region import over 85% of their fertilizer, while most Pacific small island developing states depend on imports for more than 60% of their food. Global supply chain disruptions and rising costs directly affect farmers, rural businesses and food security.
Yet the opportunities are equally significant.
Asia and the Pacific is @IFAD's largest regional portfolio, with deep domestic capital markets, dynamic private sectors and innovative financing models.
From mobilizing private co-financing for rural enterprises in Bangladesh to strengthening agricultural value chains in the Philippines, targeted public investment can reduce risks and unlock additional capital.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings | @IFADAsia
IFAD Asia retweeted
IFAD and the @isdb_group will mobilize up to US$750 million in co-financing to drive sustainable agricultural development.
Under a newly signed agreement, the two institutions will combine their financing power, specialized expertise, and global reach to scale up investments that will transform rural economies, eradicate poverty and strengthen food security.
“Through this agreement, we are scaling up investment in the first mile of food systems to create jobs, increase incomes, and build more prosperous and resilient rural economies,” said @IFADPresident Alvaro Lario.
IsDB and IFAD will broaden their cooperation across critical areas, including agribusiness value chains, market access, rural finance and financial inclusion, climate adaptation, sustainable natural resource management and water access.
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/news/isdb-and-…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGmeetings
IFAD Asia retweeted
Global economic shocks are increasingly interconnected. When conflict, climate events and rising food, energy and fertilizer costs disrupt production at the first mile, the effects are felt across supply chains, markets and economies worldwide.
At the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, the signing of a new co-financing agreement with @WorldBankGroup President Ajay Banga marked a significant step forward. It creates opportunities to deepen our operational collaboration, including through #AgriConnect and #WaterForward, and connect larger pools of capital to investments in rural communities.
My discussions with Rashaid Ali Al-Bader, Director General of @KuwaitFund, Herman Saheruddin of Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance, and Samantha Bandara and Kapila Senanayake of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, focused on strengthening investment in rural economies, creating jobs and building more resilient food systems.
By strengthening partnerships with governments, development banks and the private sector, we can mobilize more capital and take proven investments to greater scale.
@IFAD | #IFAD14 | #FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
IFAD Asia retweeted
Today, IFAD and the @WorldBankGroup signed a new Co-Financing Framework Agreement to scale up joint investment in rural economies and food systems. Signed during the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok, the agreement aims to strengthen rural resilience, create jobs and expand economic opportunities for rural communities.
The agreement builds on the two institutions’ partnership across multiple initiatives, including #AgriConnect, which aims to help transform agriculture for 300 million smallholder farmers by 2030, and #WaterForward, which seeks to improve water security for 1 billion people by 2030.
“Together, the World Bank and IFAD bring the scale, reach and expertise to transform rural economies and agrifood systems,” said @IFADPresident Alvaro Lario. “This agreement will enable us to turn our shared ambition into greater investment, more jobs, stronger resilience and improved food security for millions of people.”
Read more at ifad.org/en/w/news/world-ban…
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
IFAD Asia retweeted
I leave India with a strong sense of what can be achieved when ambition is matched by investment and a clear focus on people at the first mile. Arriving in Bangkok, I am also reminded that no institution can deliver the scale of change we need alone.
I am now in Bangkok to open @IFAD's new regional office premises and participate in @WorldBankGroup and @IMFNews Annual Meetings where the focus turns to how we work together to mobilize more capital and make development finance go further, particularly in countries facing conflict, climate shocks and fragility.
As we advance #IFAD14, I see real potential to deepen our partnership with the World Bank, other MDBs and IFIs. IFAD brings five decades of experience and investment in rural communities. By connecting that reach and expertise with larger pools of capital, we can take successful investments to greater scale. The macro and micro must connect.
Ultimately, what matters is not just how much financing we mobilize, but whether it translates into jobs, higher incomes, greater resilience and stronger rural economies.
That is what financing the first mile is about.
#FinancingTheFirstMile | #WBGMeetings
IFAD Asia retweeted
Across my visit to India, I have seen how different parts of a rural economy reinforce each other through @IFAD's Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Investment.
At Umwang, the foundation is strong community institutions and shared services through a community-led aggregation facility, collective marketing and affordable farm mechanization for regional crops like pineapple, ginger and bay leaves. .
At Bhoirymbong, it is community-led quality processing, value addition, and market linkages to higher-value regional and international markets.
And here in Jirang, it is diversified, commercially viable agriculture and processing, with a 100-acre model farm bringing together farmers from the community showcasing 18 high-value crops.
Rural transformation does not come from one intervention alone. It comes from connecting institutions, production, processing, finance and markets so that rural businesses can grow and communities can retain more value locally.
That is the model we want to deepen and take to scale.
#FinancingTheFirstMile
IFAD Asia retweeted
How can local agro-processing create new market opportunities, improve rural incomes and strengthen livelihoods for small-scale farmers?
In India's Meghalaya state, the Megh Farm Processing Hub demonstrates how local value addition can help pineapple farmers access wider markets, diversify income opportunities and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Established by Muktidada Multi Purpose Cooperative Society, the Hub became fully operational in February 2024, creating a platform to transform locally grown produce into marketable products. A US$200,000 IFAD grant helped purchase machinery and equipment, including a cold storage facility that allows locally produced ice creams, juices, jams and other products to be stored before sale.
By processing pineapples and other local produce into ice cream, juices, jams and other products, while also supplying pineapples to markets as far away as Abu Dhabi, the Hub is helping farmers capture greater value from their harvests.
Farmers who previously earned just INR 2–3 in profit per pineapple can now earn up to INR 12, while the enterprise creates direct employment and generates indirect economic opportunities for thousands of others.
Find out more at ifad.org/en/w/opinions/rural…
#FinancingTheFirstMile
IFAD Asia retweeted
In the latest interaction, Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD, noted that farmers adopting climate-resilient practices often need working capital for the first three to four years to offset lower productivity. IFAD views these practices as commercially viable, so farmers are rewarded through premium prices and market access
Watch more on #InConversation 🔗 youtu.be/PaVjqUSktZU
@IFADPresident @Munmun_Bhat
IFAD Asia retweeted
Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD, the UN's only international financial institution dedicated exclusively to rural transformation, discussed his India visit on DD India, including meetings with the Finance Minister and a planned trip to Meghalaya
Watch more on #InConversation 🔗 youtu.be/PaVjqUSktZU
@IFADPresident @Munmun_Bhat