The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a specialized agency of the United Nations, was established as an international financial institution in 1977 as one of the major outcomes of the 1974 World Food Conference.IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries and its mission is to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty.
Perrihan Al-Riffai, Research Analyst at IFPRI explains why alternative social indicators such as child nutrition can provide a clearer picture of poverty in the Arab world than official figures issued by governments.
Jean Francois Maystadt, Senior Researcher at International Food Policy Research Institute, describes three factors that are important to understanding the links between conflict, development and food security in the Arab world.
Our knowledge and understanding of food security, poverty and conflict has improved significantly over the past years. Yet, the linkages between these three key elements of development are not well understood, especially not in Arab countries. This seminar starts closing this knowledge gap by providing an updated assessment of the current food security and poverty situation in Arab countries together with recommendations of key areas for policy priorities. It then provides an overview of diffe...
Dr. Jorma Ruotsi, IFAD Senior Finance Specialist, explains how FREDA's equity investments in food-processing companies help to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Dr. Tigran Khanikyan, CEO of FREDA, describes the technical assistance that the fund provides both before and after making equity investments in Armenian food processing companies.
Henning Pedersen, IFAD Country Programme Manager, talks about equity investments in the context of IFAD's wide range of rural development initiatives.
For the past two and a half years IFAD, together with the Government of Armenia and Denmark, has supported the establishment and consolidation of the Fund for Economic Development of Armenia (FREDA). FREDA is a national equity fund that makes key strategic investments in small and medium-sized companies within the food processing sector. Dr. Jorma Ruotsi, Senior Rural Finance Specialist, and Dr. Tigran Khanikyan, CEO of FREDA, conducted a study on how FREDA was established, the way it function...
On 21 December IFAD staff came together for the 2011 staff award ceremony. IFAD staff awards is very special. What makes it different from other awards and recognitions is the fact that its an award for staff by staff. Every year we have the opportunity to nominate and reward our colleagues and peer for their leadership, for being agents of change, for spearheading and contributing to an outstanding project and/or activity. And this year, we had the opportunity to honour 27 extraordinary colle...
Interview with IFAD nurse on the occasion of World AIDS day