IFAD

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1977, headquartered in Rome, Italy. Created as a major outcome of the 1974 World Food Conference, IFAD is an international financial institution that invests in rural people, empowering them to increase their food security, improve nutrition, and raise their incomes. The fund provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to developing countries for agricultural development and rural poverty reduction.

IFAD works with governments, NGOs, private sector partners, and rural communities to design and implement programs that strengthen smallholder agriculture, build resilience to climate change, and improve market access for rural producers. In India, IFAD has supported multiple projects focused on rural livelihoods, tribal development, agricultural value chains, and community-based natural resource management across several states.

Who Benefits

Agritech startups, social enterprises, and organizations working on rural livelihoods, smallholder farming, food security, and climate-resilient agriculture in developing countries. Indian ventures focused on agricultural value chains, rural fintech, and farmer-facing technologies may access IFAD-supported programs and funding windows.