International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

IFAD supported interventions typically include asset development (water mobilization, storage and distribution for agricultural uses by crops and livestock), together with the development of the related institutions (WUA, water boards, etc) and capacities (water management from plot to basin levels). They also include activities related to the possible restoration of natural resources needed (soil and water conservation, flood control, etc) and support to more inclusive local governance of the natural resources (watershed management committees, watershed development plans, etc). Interventions being implemented locally and based on local demand (expressed at design and/or implementation), interventions also include WASH activities.

IFAD gives pride of place to capacity- and asset-building for agricultural water poor rural people through the programmes it supports and its complementary policy engagement to enable them to realize their full potential. IFAD also engages with partners with expertise in other sectors, particularly health, education and water and sanitation to leverage impact on health and nutrition. IFAD interventions focus on addressing four main sources of environmental threat: resource degradation, pollution, loss of habitat and biodiversity, and natural hazards. In this vein, IFAD will pursue “multiple-benefit” approaches that simultaneously enhance biodiversity, increase agricultural productivity and lower greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector while contributing to poverty reduction.