For small-scale farmers, the climate nightmare is real, and they are severely underfunded. They urgently need support to adapt to a changing world. Here are to action from .
IFAD
An International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) expert talks about the challenge of obesity; a Technical Specialist on Nutrition discusses how food inflation impacts diets. Lastly, we chat with IFAD鈥檚 Director for Food Systems Coordination Nadine Gbossa to discuss the nutritional challenges of Guyana鈥檚 indigenous communities.
Despite contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions, Africa is the most vulnerable continent to the impacts of . In fact, that are most at risk are in . Small-scale farmers in Africa are on the frontlines. They are battling climate change impacts every day, while feeding their communities and driving rural economies. They need the world to invest in them so that they can continue driving their own sustainable development, even in the face of climate change.
For its part, is mobilizing climate finance from a variety of sources, including the , and its flagship programme. IFAD promotes climate-smart agricultural practices, such as the and.
One in nine people globally experienced hunger in 2022. Rural people and vulnerable groups, including women, suffer greater food insecurity鈥攁nd even those who can access food may not be able to access nutritious food, 's data confirms. We must strengthen climate resilience across food systems and invest in small-scale farmers so they can continue to feed themselves, nearby urban centres and beyond if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. IFAD supports small-scale producers and partners with farmers鈥 organizations to promote collective action and economies of scale.
The world is at a crossroad, does it reposnd to crisis after crisis or invest in a structural change for a stronger, more sustainable future? Global crises have exposed how inadequate our resources are to prevent future emergencies. With 4 in 5 of the world鈥檚 poorest people living in rural areas, the road to a resilient future runs through rural communities. is investing in rural people for a sustainable future. By making the right choices and the right investments now, a new day鈥攁nd a better future鈥攊s possible.
鈥淢aking the most of remittances and diaspora investments can, paradoxically, curb the need for more to migrate. These flows are great contributors to the wellbeing of millions,鈥 said 脕lvaro Lario, the President the UN鈥檚 International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the opening session of the Global Forum on Remittances, Investment and Development (GFRID) in Nairobi.
Syrians are laying down roots in their places of refuge and have valuable skills and knowledge that they can use in their host communities. grants are helping refugees fulfil their potential.
Small-scale farmers in developing countries are only one flood, one drought or one failed harvest away from ruin. asks "Tomorrow is a new day. What will it look like?"
Bees and other pollinators are the tiny linchpins of diverse food systems 鈥 some bees also make honey. That's why many around the world have taken up beekeeping, with 鈥檚 help.
From deforestation to the destruction of coral reefs, ecosystems across the globe are being decimated. The world鈥檚 most vulnerable populations are the ones paying the highest price, with rural people experiencing the effects on their livelihoods, their food security and their ways of life. Through 鈥檚 and , farmers have access to irrigation and seeds suitable to the region鈥檚 semi-arid conditions. By planting various types of trees, such as Pistachio, which have a strong root system, the soil is not swept away by rain, in turn conserving arid ecosystem and avoiding degradation
For over 40 years, IFAD has been working with , helping them eradicate poverty, conserve their environments and build flourishing societies鈥攁ll the while feeding the world.
Climate change, environmental degradation and a growing population are exacerbating water scarcity. As the water cycle is disrupted, farmers are having to adapt and come up with inventive ways to harvest, store and use water. This helps them protect their crops and irrigate them when water is scarce. In fact, in Uganda, Burundi, India and Tanzania, water harvesting can increase crop production by 60 to 100 per cent. With 13 per cent of our work devoted to water, is helping smallholder farmers through simple but effective and climate-smart water infrastructure.
There are almost as many smartphones on the planet as there are people. From messaging, to maps, to mobile payments, it's almost impossible to imagine a world without internet or devices. Yet, for many women in developing countries, this is their reality. Here, men are twice as likely to use the internet than women. To empower rural women, and help them contribute to economic growth, access to the internet and digital platforms is vital. trains women in digital finance and marketing, and ensures they have access to the technology they need to connect to the rest of the world. Find out about taking tomato-growing to new heights in Pakistan, and texting for tulips in Bangladesh.
Despite the colossal damages to its agriculture caused by the war, the country is still committed to contribute to world food security and to empower small scale farmers.
![Insects provide a source of protein and micronutrients insect superfood](/sites/un2.un.org/files/2023/02/ifad_insects_superfood.jpg)
Why insects are the next global superfood
As climate change affects the distribution and availability of food, edible insects are a potential growth area, particularly as consumer demand rises. Insects are an essential food source for at least 2 billion people and given the low input costs and space required, even the poorest people in developing countries can collect, rear, process, sell, and eat insects. and the United States have partnered to help small-scale farmers in developing countries further reduce emissions while adapting to climate change.