According to a recent announcement, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have formed a partnership agreement with the goal of improving global food security and nutrition. This collaboration aims to empower small rural farmers by providing them with accessible, affordable, and adaptable technologies that are crucial for ensuring food security.
The IsDB Vice President of Operations, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, highlighted the significance of this partnership in addressing the pressing challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition faced by IsDB member countries, particularly among smallholder farmers and pastoralist communities. He emphasized that this collaboration will play a critical role in identifying suitable technologies for integration into IsDB’s Food Security Response Program (FSRP) and other agricultural initiatives. The partnership is expected to bring about transformative change in agricultural sustainability and food security across diverse regions.
AbdulHakim Elwaer, Assistant Director General of FAO and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa (NENA), pointed out that many countries in the Middle East and North Africa region project increasing rates of food insecurity and malnutrition. These challenges are particularly prevalent among smallholder farmers and pastoralist communities. The tripartite cooperation between FAO, IsDB, and IFAD will facilitate the identification of technologies that can be integrated throughout the crop value chain to improve livelihoods and enhance food security for these vulnerable populations.
Elwaer also highlighted that this cooperation is an important milestone for FAO as it represents the first element of their partnership with IsDB since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2020.
Thouraya Triki, Director of IFAD’s Sustainable Production, Markets, and Institutions Division, emphasized how technology has enabled smallholders to contribute effectively to sustainable agricultural development and food security. However, there is still an urgent need to increase capabilities and accelerate innovation through partnerships. This cooperation agreement marks an important milestone in joining forces with other partners to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030. The collaboration aims to share knowledge, technical experience, and promote the scale of these technologies to strengthen the capacities of rural farmers, reduce costs, increase production, income, and food security.
The agricultural technologies and digital solutions that will be shared through this partnership are smart, transferable, and adoptable. They will support the development of low-carbon agriculture, improve resilience, contribute to poverty alleviation, create employment opportunities, and reduce vulnerability to climate-related risks.
In line with the digital era, this collective initiative aims to leverage innovative tools and approaches to empower rural households and small family farmers despite multifaceted challenges. These technologies and solutions are expected not only to improve agricultural productivity but also pave the way for sustainable and low-carbon practices. By improving resilience, reducing poverty levels, creating employment opportunities, and mitigating vulnerabilities linked to climate-induced risks, this partnership emerges as a source of optimism.
This tripartite agreement represents a synergistic collaboration that leverages the expertise and resources of FAO, IsDB, and IFAD to empower rural households, improve small-scale family farmers’ conditions, and contribute to greater global food security. Through the integration of cutting-edge technologies into agricultural practices, this partnership seeks to cultivate a sustainable and resilient food supply while fostering prosperity in communities worldwide.
About FAO:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts in defeating hunger. Their goal is achieving food security for all by ensuring regular access to enough high-quality food for people around the world.
About IsDB:
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is a multilateral development financial institution that operates in accordance with Islamic principles. It aims to foster economic and social progress in member countries by actively supporting projects and initiatives that positively impact communities in various sectors.
About IFAD:
IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations. It invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, IFAD has provided more than $24 billion in grants and low-interest loans to finance projects in developing countries.
The end result, this partnership agreement between FAO, IsDB, and IFAD is set to make significant strides towards improving global food security and nutrition. By providing small rural farmers with accessible technologies, the collaboration aims to empower these farmers and enhance their livelihoods while ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. Through this joint effort, the organizations hope to achieve greater food security worldwide.
