International Fund for Agricultural Development

Japan’s leadership has been central to advancing the Enhanced Linkages between the Private Sector and Small-scale Producers (ELPS) initiative, a flagship partnership with @IFAD that is helping connect rural producers to agribusinesses, markets and sustainable value chains. During my meeting with @norikazu_0130, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of #Japan, we discussed the continued expansion of ELPS and its role in strengthening resilience, productivity and long-term food security at the first mile. For example, through the coffee manufacturer UCC Japan and trading giant Marubeni, ELPS is strengthening producer organizations in Tanzania and scaling sustainable coffee practices by doubling productivity while strengthening overall supply consistency. Another ELPS pilot intervention is about to be implemented in Rwanda in collaboration with OSTI Group to support 500 farmers in adopting organic practices and better macadamia management. Our partnership with Japan's MAFF has also helped lay the foundation for #AgriLink, a new multi-donor framework designed to scale collaboration between small-scale producers and agribusiness partners across countries and value chains. As discussions on #IFAD14 advance, initiatives such as ELPS and Agri-Link show why investing at the first mile matters. They bring together public finance private sector engagement and market-based solutions to mobilize investment where it can strengthen livelihoods, build resilient supply chains and create shared prosperity. #FinancingTheFirstMile

Strengthening rural economies requires investments that extend beyond food production – including market access, climate resilience, value addition and rural enterprises that can generate long-term economic opportunities. Across #Mexico, small-scale producers continue to face structural barriers, from fragmented landholdings and limited access to finance to growing climate risks. Through investments in forest-based value chains, ecosystem conservation, sustainable agricultural production and rural enterprises, IFAD and the Government of Mexico are supporting communities in building more resilient local economies. From Indigenous communities processing pine resin into higher-value products, to women-led enterprises producing cosmetics from forest resources, these investments are helping rural producers capture greater value from their work while promoting sustainable natural resource management. Since 1980, IFAD has supported 12 investment projects in Mexico worth approximately US$500 million alongside the Government and co-financing partners, targeting rural areas with high levels of poverty. Read more about IFAD’s investments in rural transformation in Mexico at bit.ly/4fyjBVl

Greater transparency in food systems finance is essential to improving the effectiveness and targeting of investments. The 3FS platform – developed through a collaboration with the @WorldBankGroup, @IICAnews and @FoodSystems – is now accessible via the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. The platform consolidates methodologies, country-level data and key resources to support shared understanding of financing flows and gaps across food systems. Access the 3FS platform at bit.ly/4wE3Ty5 #FinancingTheFirstMile

How can we close the global nutrition financing gap? At #RomeNutritionWeek, IFAD will convene a high-level session on “(Re)directing Investments Toward Nutrition-Driven Food Systems” – bringing together governments, multilateral development banks, private sector partners, donors and farmers’ organizations. Through practical country examples and dialogues with private-sector partners, the session aims to identify concrete pathways to unlock new capital flows and drive sustainable, cross-sectoral outcomes. 📅 26 May 🕒 11:00–12:15 CEST 🔴 Register at bit.ly/4a1iJ85 #RNW26 #RomeNutritionWeek2026 #FinancingTheFirstMile | @FAO | @WFP

🌿Biodiversity can power #rural economies. In #LaoPDR, non-timber forest products are helping communities earn more, build resilience and keep traditional knowledge alive. A new Herbarium supported by @IFAD explores these connections. #InternationalDayofBiologicalDiversity (1/2)

Japan has long been a strategic partner of @IFAD in advancing human security. During my visit to Japan, I met with senior Japanese leaders, including @moteging, Minister for Foreign Affairs @MofaJapan_en, Yoko Kamikawa, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to the UN 2026 Water Conference and Members of Parliament. Our discussions focused on how Japan and IFAD can deepen cooperation around rural transformation, food security, climate resilience through investing in the first mile. These are not separate priorities. They are central to stronger economies, more stable supply chains, and long-term shared prosperity. The Japan-IFAD partnership is already moving in this direction, including through the Enhanced Linkages between the Private Sector and Small-scale Producers (ELPS) launched during Japan's #G7 Presidency in 2023. Strengthening public-private partnerships with Japanese companies can help connect small-scale producers to markets, expand innovations, and build more resilient and inclusive food systems. This model also extends to our partnership with the @jica_direct_en. In my meeting with President Akihiko Tanaka , we discussed practical ways to deepen collaboration at the country level, including through the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion Approach and expanding the co-finance portfolio. The approach has already supported more than 77,000 farmers across IFAD-financed projects in Africa, demonstrating how targeted investments, market access and capacity-building remain essential to creating sustainable rural livelihoods and economic opportunities. As discussions on #IFAD14 advance, Japan’s continued leadership and partnership will remain essential to #FinancingTheFirstMile. Together, we can build more resilient rural economies, stable supply chains, and long-term shared prosperity.

What does it take to build partnership models that expand market opportunities while delivering lasting value for small-scale producers? The Enhanced Linkages between the Private sector and Small-scale producers (ELPS) initiative, launched by IFAD and #Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, is designed to strengthen connections between corporations and small-scale farmers through joint investments that advance both social impact and shared value. Hear from Ryo Satomi, Executive Officer for Sustainable Business Practices at UCC Japan, as he reflects on what makes ELPS an initiative grounded in social good and capable of generating added value for producers and beyond. Learn more about ELPS at bit.ly/4uziMAn #FinancingTheFirstMile #IFADImpact #IFAD14

How can producer organizations be effectively linked to private companies to deliver measurable returns at scale? IFAD impact assessments indicate that projects with strong private sector engagement in value chains raised producer incomes by 64% – four times higher than projects without such engagement. Unlike traditional public-private partnerships, IFAD’s Public-Private-Producer Partnerships (4Ps) model positions small-scale producers as active commercial partners. It aligns public, private and producer incentives within a single investment structure designed to crowd in private capital, reduce risk and convert higher production into higher margins. Since 2023, IFAD and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan are financing the Enhanced Linkages between the Private sector and Small-scale producers (ELPS) initiative, which connects corporations and small-scale farmers through joint public-private investments. Working with coffee manufacturer @UCC_COFFEE and trading giant @Marubeni_Corp, ELPS is strengthening producer organizations in #Tanzania and scaling sustainable coffee practices. The goal is to drive doubled productivity by the end of 2027 while strengthening overall supply consistency. For public and private partners alike, the 4P model offers a structured, evidence-based pathway to connect rural producers to markets, mobilize private capital and deliver growth at scale. Read more at bit.ly/4azClBc #FinancingTheFirstMile #IFADImpact #IFAD14

Farmers’ organizations play a central role in driving rural transformation. By bringing producers together and amplifying their voice, they deliver the services farmers need to reach better markets – raising incomes and strengthening rural economies.

The future of food, jobs, and opportunity for millions is being decided. Watch what the stakes are for IFAD14 — 🎙️narrated by @Sabrinadhowre, ft. @IFADPresident & 🇬🇭's President @JDMahama #FinancingTheFirstMile @IFAD 🌾

📢 IFAD is #hiring! As a specialized International Financial Institution, IFAD invests in rural development to drive sustainable impact in rural communities worldwide. We are looking for experienced professionals to join our team in the following roles. Click the links below to learn more and apply: 🔹Senior Audit Officer 👉 bit.ly/42BZ4aY 🔹Managing Director of Development Effectiveness and Corporate Strategy 👉 bit.ly/4tEMXF7 🌐 Learn more about IFAD’s work: ifad.org/en/what-we-do #JoinIFAD #IFI #Careers

This week, IFAD and the Government of #India launched a new eight-year Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for 2026–2033 – a strategy designed to expand incomes, resilience and opportunity for India's rural economies. Aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, the new strategy focuses on two priorities: 🔹strengthening the social, economic and climate resilience of rural people 🔹scaling proven rural development models in India and sharing them across the Global South The India-IFAD partnership is built on results: In #Maharashtra, nearly 1 million women have built financial track records through self-help group federations, unlocking essential bank lending and achieving repayment rates close to 99%. In #Meghalaya, investments in cold storage, farm equipment and logistics are helping producers reach markets as far as Dubai. In #Uttarakhand, women-led producer enterprises are turning locally sourced natural products into nationally branded goods sold on e-commerce platforms. “India-IFAD partnership is distinguished by not only its longevity, but its strategic alignment. IFAD’s programmes in India have remained closely integrated with national priorities – supporting agricultural transformation, livelihood diversification, women’s empowerment, and institutional strengthening,” said Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (@FinMinIndia), Ministry of Finance (@DFS_India), Government of India (@Indiagovin). “Over time, the focus has evolved from basic poverty alleviation to building sustainable, market-oriented rural livelihoods that are resilient to climate and economic shocks.” Continue reading at bit.ly/4uOCibN

On day two of the #AfricaForward Summit in Nairobi, I continued my bilateral discussions with African leaders on strengthening partnerships with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and scaling investment in rural economies through #IFAD14. Across all bilaterals, discussions reinforced the growing recognition that investing in the first mile is increasingly central to economic resilience, food security, job creation and long-term growth across Africa. My meeting with President @JDMahama of #Ghana, where we discussed the importance of investing in African food corridors to create local value addition and youth employment as part of Ghana’s broader economic transformation agenda. We also discussed how to scale up solar irrigation as a sustainable solution for resilient rural economic development. Ghana hosts one of IFAD’s largest portfolios in West and Central Africa, with more than US$1.07 billion in total financing mobilized. The President expressed his support for IFAD14 and reinforced our shared commitment to scaling impact across the first mile. With President @FA_Touadera of the #CentralAfricanRepublic, discussions centred on resilience, rural stabilization and the importance of sustained investment in fragile contexts. We discussed IFAD’s expanding engagement in the country, including the recently approved Climate Resilient Agribusiness Promotion Programme, a major new investment supporting climate-resilient agribusiness, value-chain development and rural livelihoods. In environments affected by fragility and instability, investments in agriculture and rural economies are also investments in resilience, opportunity and long-term stability. I also met with President of #Rwanda, @PaulKagame to discuss innovation, investment and the role of technology-driven rural transformation in accelerating economic growth and resilience. Rwanda continues to emerge as a regional model for blended finance, innovation and systems modernization, with IFAD-supported initiatives spanning SmartFarm technologies, women’s financial inclusion, irrigation management, nutrition and digital public infrastructure. These efforts reflect how investment in the first mile is increasingly being linked to technology, productivity and modern economic transformation, alongside Rwanda’s strong support for IFAD14. #FinancingTheFirstMile #IFADImpact @RwandaGov @UrugwiroVillage @GhanaPresidency

At the #AfricaForward Summit in Nairobi, I held productive bilateral discussions with African leaders on strengthening partnerships with @IFAD and advancing investment in rural economies through #IFAD14. In the bilateral with His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, we discussed the country’s priorities around nutrition, resilience and private-sector-led rural transformation. IFAD’s partnership with Lesotho continues to expand through investments in horticulture, financial inclusion and rural entrepreneurship, while mobilizing strong co-financing support from partners including @WorldBankGroup, @TheOPECFund and the @theGEF. My meeting with President @duma_boko of #Botswana focused on the catalytic effect of collaborating with national development banks and the private sector, including commercial banks and local SMEs, aligned with national priorities. With our investment in Bank Gaborone for example we are complementing our sovereign investments by crowding in private capital to enhancing finance for rural entrepreneurs and farmers toward sustainable food systems. We further discussed the impact of recent floods and the importance of climate smart farming and resilient infrastructure. With President @julius_maadabio of #SierraLeone, discussions centred on food security, resilience and strengthening integrated, climate-resilient food systems. Through major programmes supporting livestock, agricultural value chains and rural finance, IFAD’s partnership in Sierra Leone now spans 10 projects with total financing of US$473 million, demonstrating the scale of long-term investment and co-financing being mobilized around rural transformation. I also met with Prime Minister @mwigulunchemba1 of #Tanzania to discuss strengthening cooperation with IFAD and advancing investment in youth employment, climate-smart agriculture and rural economic opportunity. Tanzania is now one of IFAD’s largest portfolios in Africa, with more than US$3.3 billion in total financing mobilized since 1978, including new efforts to structure blended investment around the BBT-Coffee Programme and Tanzania’s wider rural transformation agenda. Across all discussions, there was strong recognition that investing in the first mile is critical not only for food security, but for economic resilience, stability and long-term growth across the continent. #FinancingTheFirstMile #IFADImpact

Investing in Africa’s young farmers is the answer to the coming food shock, says Kenyan President @WilliamsRuto in an op-ed for @cnbcafrica. Shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have far-reaching consequences, affecting nearly one-third of globally traded fertilizer. The most significant agricultural impacts are expected in the second half of this year, a critical period when farmers across Africa will make planting decisions for the coming season. "The most resilient answer to a fertilizer shock is not a fertilizer shipment. It is a productive rural economy that no longer relies on imported inputs as the only path to a harvest," said Ruto. This week, the #AfricaForward Summit is convening African Heads of State, business leaders, young people and civil society to advance solutions to food security, economic competitiveness and shared challenges. The timing is significant: IFAD's Member States have just launched the #IFAD14 replenishment, "one of the most consequential global decisions of the year on financing rural transformation," according to Ruto. "African leaders have an opportunity to come together to collectively commit to invest in our rural areas, and the young people who live there, at the scale and ambition this moment demands," added Ruto. Read more at bit.ly/4wmlVVH #IFADImpact #FinancingTheFirstMile | @StateHouseKenya

This afternoon on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, President Kagame met with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) President Álvaro Lario. They discussed ongoing cooperation between Rwanda and IFAD, particularly in advancing rural development, agricultural transformation, and resilience for smallholder farmers. The discussions also explored opportunities to further strengthen collaboration in support of inclusive growth, market access, and private sector participation in agriculture.

As the Africa Forward Summit concludes in Nairobi, one message stands out clearly. Africa’s economic transformation will increasingly depend on how successfully the continent invests in the first mile, rural economies and its growing young population. Over the past days, I engaged with Heads of State, financial institutions, investors and private sector leaders on the scale of the opportunity ahead and the partnerships required to unlock it. Today, my bilateral discussions with President @PaulKagame of Rwanda, President @JDMahama of Ghana and President @FA_Touadera of the Central African Republic focused on investment, economic resilience, job creation and support for #IFAD14. I also spoke at the Africa Forward Summit Agriculture Pillar roundtable, “Building Productive, Sustainable and Resilient Agri-Food Systems in Africa: Strengthening Partnerships”, alongside Heads of State, ministers, @AGRA_Africa CEO @aruhweza and other leaders. Discussions focused on mobilizing investment, strengthening food systems and expanding partnerships that can drive growth, resilience and economic opportunity across rural economies. In my meeting with Dr. James Mwangi, CEO of @KeEquityBank Limited, we discussed how stronger financial ecosystems, blended finance and strategic partnerships can expand access to capital, crowd in greater private sector investment and accelerate financing at the first mile. Reaching the scale required for transformation will depend on mobilizing both public and private capital. At @IFAD, we increasingly see recognition that rural economies and food systems are foundational to growth, stability and long-term economic resilience, particularly at a time of fiscal pressure, debt vulnerabilities and growing employment challenges across many economies. The conversations in Kenya reinforced the importance of investment-led approaches that can mobilize capital at scale, strengthen local markets and support country-led transformation. #FinancingTheFirstMile #AfricaForward @RwandaGov @GhanaPresidency

Nearly 60% of IFAD’s core resources are directed to Africa. Through #IFAD14, IFAD will scale up investments in market integration, rural employment and resilient food systems over the next three years. #AfricaForward #IFADImpact #FinancingTheFirstMile