by price hikes. Many rural small-scale farmers in Africa are under pressure from two sides: higher prices for production inputs such as seeds or fertilizers, but also for the prices of food they have to buy. So the current war in Ukraine is really coming up at a time when globally we can ill afford new shocks to the food systems, because many communities are already suffering greatly.
OFQ: With such big challenges, what are IFAD’s priorities? SS: Our focus is on building resilience and building opportunities for small- scale farmers to survive under challenging circumstances. Our allocation system is relatively set. We replenish every three years and allocate our resources considering various factors including vulnerability and needs of recipients. The majority of our work is in Africa. We are stepping up our efforts at sustainability, supporting value chains and connecting farmers to markets. With regard to the looming food crisis
as a result of the war in Ukraine, IFAD is working closely with governments, rural communities and other partners and exploring ways to step up global support to those countries most affected. It is also intensifying its work to ensure small- scale farmers can meet the upcoming
planting and harvesting seasons, and to secure their immediate food security.
OFQ: What is IFAD’s approach to partnerships? Is the development community coordinated enough? SS: We are very actively seeking partnerships of various kinds. IFAD brings a specific point of view and approaches, and as with the OPEC Fund we develop co-financing arrangements with other development actors or donors who will support one of our programs. We also coordinate and collaborate very actively at country level, including with partners that are not co-financiers. Guided by government policies, we participate in coordination efforts, share information and make common assessment of a given country’s situation with the UN country teams.
OFQ: The world is not on track to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030 as promised. Do you still have hope? SS: You can't be in this line of work or business if you're not optimistic. I think that the world can do it. It is not easy and there are many negative impacts such as the climate crisis and armed conflicts, that we need to overcome. But it is possible. We need to take care of the people who are suffering and
there is a constant need for urgent humanitarian assistance. At the same time, the world must not forget about the long-term perspective. Having the SDGs in mind and focusing our attention on some of these solutions can change the situation for the better. The global ramifications of the war in Ukraine have demonstrated how interconnected we are. This is why we have to make sure that the global food system is more sustainable, more inclusive and more resilient. I am optimistic that we can do it, but we really need to work hard and work together.
FACTFILE: IFAD
The partnership between the OPEC Fund and IFAD dates back to 1978. IFAD was created in response to the mid-1970s world food crisis and OPEC Fund member countries provided substantial resources for the establishment of the institution in partnership with the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Developing countries also contributed. The OPEC Fund was established in the same period to support the social and economic advancement of low- and middle-income countries.
To date, the OPEC Fund and IFAD have co-financed nearly 120 projects, contributing to the well-being of rural communities in over 90 countries. Today the OPEC Fund is one of the largest co-financiers of IFAD-sponsored programs and projects with contributions worth almost US$900 million. IFAD and the OPEC Fund continue to work together to develop food resilience in different parts of the world.
18
Our focus is on
building resilience and building opportunities for small-scale
farmers to survive under challenging circumstances.
Satu Santala, Associate Vice President of
External Relations and Governance, IFAD
PHOTO: IFAD
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