The International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD) will join the world’s leaders of agriculture
today in Istanbul, Turkey at the meeting of the G20 Agriculture Ministers to
advocate on behalf of the 76 per cent of the world poorest people who reside in
rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Josefina Stubbs, Associate
Vice-President of IFAD, who will represent the Fund at the meeting, will take
critical messages to the ministers about the importance of investing in rural
people in developing countries.
“IFAD believes it is essential to bring
millions of smallholder farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs, women and men,
into the financial mainstream, if we want them to become capable investors who
can drive sustainable and inclusive agriculture and food systems,” Stubbs said
prior to her departure. “IFAD is proud to be on the frontline of this area,
through our support to rural finance institutions across the developing world.”
