The International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) Country Director in Pakistan Fernanda Thomaz has said that the organization promotes climate-smart agriculture to strengthen food security while enabling farmers to adapt to changing conditions.
‘This includes supporting resilient infrastructure, water storage, irrigation systems, market access and climate-resistant crop varieties’, she told APP in an interview.
Country Director said since 1978, IFAD has focused on fighting rural poverty in Pakistan, where over 80 percent of the poor population resides in rural areas. Smallholder farmers face challenges such as limited market access, small landholdings, and climate-related threats, she said, adding that the IFAD aligns its programs with Pakistan’s development goals to address these issues effectively.
She also indicated that strengthening food security initiatives helps ultra-poor communities improve livelihoods through sustainable agricultural practices, with a focus on women and youth.
She said improving market access IFAD develops value chains to enhance farmers’ productivity and connect them to larger markets, adding that in Gilgit Baltistan’s Hunza Valley, IFAD helped women apricot farmers form cooperatives, improve product quality, and reduce food loss. These cooperatives now link with private companies to access bigger markets, benefiting everyone in the value chain.
Thomaz said promoting climate-resilient practices in remote mountainous areas, IFAD introduces innovations that enable year-round vegetable cultivation, ensuring steady incomes and access to nutritious food.
Enhancing livelihoods asset transfers, skills training, and enterprise-building initiatives empower communities to adopt sustainable practices like homestead gardening and livestock rearing, improving food security and income, she added.
She commented that the IFAD’s commitment to Pakistan’s rural development reflects the broader goals of World Food Day.—APP
