IFAD social reporting blog

Written by: Marian Amaka Odenigbo

Traditional cooking goes beyond preserving traditional values. “Traditional cooking brings togetherness, it connects people, love, different food patterns, recipes, dishes and cuisine” said Mrs Zulia Mena the Vice Minister of Culture of Colombia during her opening remark at an event organized jointly last month by  International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Afro-descendants Cultural Assets (ACUA) Foundation.

The event focused on exchange of traditional cuisine, culture and knowledge in Buenaventura, the first "African city" of Colombia. This event was the result of a broad partnership between the Ministry of Culture, the Valle del Cauca regional administration, the ACUA Foundation, IFAD, the Joint Fund for the Promotion of Culture and Arts of the Valle del Cauca region, the Foundation “Escuela Taller” of Buenaventura, and the Foundation “Artesanías de Colombia”.

Vice minister of Culture Zulia Mena opening the event. ©IFAD/M. Odenigbo

The event was organised to highlight South-South cooperation and the benefits of traditional cuisine exchange between afro-descendant communities of the Colombian Pacific coast and African countries.

Four African women who are beneficiaries of IFAD grants in the African countries -Senegal, Benin and Zambia were invited to share their respective experiences and techniques of traditional recipes, biodiversity and local products. Over 80 participants attended, including representatives from the afro-latino communities from cities like Guapí, Tumaco, Buenaventura and Quibdó and indigenous communities supported by Artesanías de Colombia.

Traditional cuisine and rural development 

IFAD’s Special Adviser on Nutrition, Marian Amaka Odenigbo described the linkage of the Fund’s work on biodiversity, nutrition and climate to sustainable agriculture, nutrition and traditional diets. Key discussion points were: how do we promote and protect local seeds; how have traditional dishes been influenced by colonial powers; how do we create awareness on nutritional value of traditional foods; how can we develop value addition to traditional cuisine; how do we attract the younger generation who are deviating from traditional food culture and how do we help them see the connection between food and climate change? She further illustrated the effort on climate smart agriculture through IFAD’s Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP) and the Recipes for Change initiative.  She showed examples of traditional dishes from East and Southern Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean regions.


The participant from Zambia, Kalongo Chitengi presented IFAD’s work on the traditional vegetable called  “Amaranthas” leaves through a grant in Zambia (Strengthening capacity of local actors on nutrition-sensitive agri-food value chain in Zambia). She mentioned that the local vegetable is grown naturally without need for inputs such as fertilizer. Interestingly, this vegetable is also used to determine the fertility of soil because it only grows in nutrient dense soil. She further noted that the project focus is to address poor nutrition, dietary diversity, and women participation in the agricultural value chain.

According to Kalongo, the challenges that this project is trying to solve is similar to what Afro-descendant communities in Colombia are experiencing: A decrease in use and poor consumption of  local traditional foods in local communities. The community members tend to sell rather than consume at home. Emphasis was made on the integration of innovation and research in traditional cuisine to maximise the nutritional benefits. Traditional cuisine are essentially comprised of less processed staple foods which are rich in fibre and grown in natural or organic state implying less pesticides and chemicals for general health of the community.

Kalongo Chitengi cooking demonstration of a staple dish from Zambia. See video. ©IFAD/M. Odenigbo

Women’s role

Sofia Betancurth a member of the Chiyangua foundation, Colombia shared how they are working on recovering lost tradition through rural development by linking biodiversity to education, health and agriculture. A typical example is the practice of traditional medicine as opposed to conventional medicine.

On the other hand, Ndeye Marie Seydi shared the African experiences on how women empowerment has contributed to poverty alleviation in Senegal. She outlined the work of the IFAD grant PADAER in Senegal on food production, varieties of vegetables and capacity building of women, which has resulted in increased income and food security for the communities.

Ndeye Marie Seydi presenting project in Senegal. ©IFAD/M. Odenigbo

The women group from Guapi community presented a traditional plant and its medicinal effects (like Anten, Verdolaga, Sueldaconsuelda, Paico, Poleo, Sauco, and Mata de chivo for example). This women group explained their approach adopted in promoting this plant, which is a major source of their income.  This activity has given the women voice, and promoted income and improved livelihood. The plant leaf is used in preparation of a variety of dishes, cake and sweet.

Demonstration and exhibition of traditional cuisine 

ACUA foundation in collaboration with the Colombian Ministry of Culture support many women groups on promoting traditional cuisine in Colombia. The Afro-descendant groups showcased vast traditional dishes with ingredients rich in nutritional value. The delegates from Africa also demonstrated traditional recipes from Benin, Senegal and Zambia. Blandine Montcho, from Benin, showcased the pasteurization process in preserving juices and for conservation of nutritional properties without using any additive or chemical substance.The ingredients used in their cooking were found similar to the local foods within the Afro-descendant food system.

Live cooking performance of the Quibdó community. ©IFAD/M. Odenigbo

Exclusive market and restaurants for local foods and traditional dishes

The participants visited a local market where varieties of traditional foods are sold. The market also has restaurants for traditional cuisine. The restaurants are run by the women group “Asociación de Sabedoras de la plaza de mercado José Hilario López de Pueblo Nuevo de Buenaventura”, supported by the ACUA Foundation and Ministry of Culture. The women confirmed that the traditional cuisine is a family custom and a way of retaining their cultural value.

Blandine montcho, from Benin, visiting the Buenaventura Market place. ©IFAD/M. Odenigbo

According to Yesid Ome, director of the Buenaventura School Foundation, the presence of African women is an opportunity to rediscover our African, Afro-Colombian roots and to analyze how to maintain commonalities.

Participants at event. ©IFAD/M. Odenigbo

By Nerina Muzurovic

The panel at the side event at COP22. ©IFAD/N. Muzurovic

At an event sponsored by the Netherlands, held at the COP22 in Marrakech on 15 November 2016, the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Ms Lilianne Ploumen, discussed ways in which climate change can be effectively fought through securing indigenous and community land rights.

Learning from indigenous communities

Evidence shows that securing indigenous and community land rights is one of the key actions to fighting climate change, said Lilianne Ploumen. Local communities—specifically, indigenous communities--have been key in governing land in a way that’s sustainable. “There are a couple of reasons for this,” she said. “They know that their land not only belongs to them, but their kids. Not only do they have a lot of knowledge about the land, but look at it from the potential that it has for everyone.”

Protection of the forest is a large part of the climate change agenda. Statistically, land governed by indigenous communities shows much slower deforestation—indicating the deployment of practices that could be studied and learned from. Interestingly, worldwide, some 50 per cent of land is protected by local and indigenous communities, despite the fact that this group only owns 10 per cent of the land. “People don’t own the land, but they still take responsibility for it,” she said. “This is also something we can learn from.”

Certainly, said Ms Mina Setra, the indigenous approach to land management is defined by long-term thinking. In the forest in West Kalimantan, one elder in the community said, “We have to protect the land. To indigenous people, land is mother. Land is owned by the ancestors. We are only guardians, and we have to protect it for future generations.”

Results and benefits

This approach brings with it concrete results: satellite imagery of forestlands in Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia clearly shows that deforestation is two to three times lower in areas with secured land tenure for indigenous peoples. “If you secured land rights, you would save emissions,” said Ms Helen Mountford, of the World Resources Institute (WRI). In fact, estimated benefits of saved emissions through secured land rights could be as much as US$ 30 billion. “Carbon benefits make this worth doing,” she said.

Land rights are also crucial, when it comes to investment in agriculture, said USAID’s Eric G. Postel. “Without land rights people do not invest,” he said.

Moving forward, said Ms Lilianne Ploumen, the Netherlands—which has the world’s highest percentage of registered land (99 per cent) – is keen to share its organizational knowledge. New technologies, including satellites, offer unprecedented opportunities for giving indigenous peoples control over their land, and thus improve the global environment. The project is a crucial one, she emphasized: “Land rights are human rights,” said Ms Lilianne Ploumen.


Sources cited: 
World Resources Institute. 2016. Report on Climate Benefits, Tenure Costs. The Economic Case For Securing Indigenous Land Rights in the Amazon. Page 55.

Oxfam, International Land Coalition, Rights and Resources Initiative. 2016. Common Ground. Securing land rights and safeguarding the earth. Page 39.

Read more:

• IFAD Policy on Improving access to land and tenure security
• Subscribe to the IFAD Land Tenure News

Written by Nerina Muzurovic

Khalida Bouzar, IFAD's Director for Near East, North Africa and Europe Division speaks at Opportunities for Africa at COP22. ©IFAD/N. Muzurovic

At the OCP Group side event ‘Opportunities and Solutions for Africa,’ held as part of a larger conference on food security and climate change at COP22 on 14 November 2016, Khalida Bouzar, IFAD's Director for Near East, North Africa and Europe Division, emphasized that investment in agriculture is an attractive proposition—not least, because it provides a strong incentive for youth to stay in the rural areas that need them most.

Green agriculture an opportunity for Africa

The importance of agriculture in Africa cannot be overstated, said Dr Khalida Bouzar: “When we talk about agriculture in Africa, we have to remember that agriculture is still the main employer of the Continent, and that more than 80 per cent of food production in Africa is ensured by smallholders living in rural areas.”

While rural smallholder farmers are one of the groups most vulnerable to climate change, Dr Khalida Bouzar emphasized that this sector also has enormous potential: “Advanced and green agriculture is the real opportunity for rural Africa. It can create jobs, satisfy needs, and generate both wealth and wellbeing for Africans.”

From Morocco to Zimbabwe, IFAD invests in greening agricultural value chains—and in ensuring that youth can find space, interest and profit in the sector. “We also make available credit, technical assistance and resources for the states to access in order to effect such change,” said Dr Khalida Bouzar. “We are convinced that innovation and adaptation will restart the agricultural engine, and therefore provide renewed opportunities for youth and for Africa.

“All our projects are designed by and for beneficiaries,” added Dr Khalida Bouzar. “They are thus naturally adapted to the local and cultural context.”

Best practices from the region

Dr Khalida Bouzar shared two ‘Best Practices’ case studies from Niger and Morocco. These included:


Other examples of IFAD’s successful practices include:

Mali: The promotion of biogas benefitted over 7,000 people (50 per cent were women, and close to 80 per cent were youth) in Mali. Some 155 bio-digesters were installed with a sustainable impact on livelihoods. This was especially true for women, for whom it meant safer and cleaner cooking environments, as well as freed up time, which could be spent on other tasks, such as the collection of wood and cleaning of pots. The environment benefitted, as well: 13 tonnes of wood were saved per year for a family of 40 people, and awareness of environmental issues was raised among local populations.

Senegal: In Senegal, coastal areas are vulnerable to rising sea levels, which cause both widespread erosion and coastal flooding in low-lying coastal areas (mangrove estuaries in particular). Other negative impacts include the increased salinization of soils, surface waters and groundwater. The project invested in infrastructure to reduce land salinity and restore productivity, with two dykes of about 3 km in total length in Ndiaye and Ndiémou and the establishment of three drainage systems. 10,000 halophyte plants (adapted to salinity) were produced to protect and rehabilitate saline fields. The project also allowed for more efficient use of scarce water resources, through improved irrigation systems and diversification of production. Some 250 hectares of agricultural land adopted drip irrigation, benefiting approximately 30 communities. Some 77 hectares of rice fields are under irrigated production, serving six farmers’ organisations and benefitting some 3,000 people.

Cameroon: A project currently under design proposes to promote “green jobs” for youth, who represent 78 per cent of the population and suffer greatly from unemployment or underemployment. The project aims to create and promote close to 5,000 agro-pastoral enterprises (of which 30 per cent are managed by women) and to create over 20,000 jobs; it also encourages rural entrepreneurship through the development of agropastoral training centres and rural financial services.

Written by Nerina Muzurovic

Written by Chris Neglia

IFAD's Margarita Astralaga speaks at the From Science to Action session on the Adaptation in African Agriculture Initiative. ©IFAD/C. Neglia

In Marrakech this week, the Moroccan government is hosting the first UN Climate Change Conference since delegates from nearly 200 countries signed the historic Paris Agreement one year ago. The occasion has prompted Morocco to urge other African nations to be proactive in fighting climate change and vocal in international dialogue.

“Africa is progressing and asserting itself in the international arena… Morocco will defend the position of our Continent, which is greatly affected by climate change and sustainable development issues,” said King Mohammed VI in a statement.

To respond to climate change, the IFAD-funded Adaptation in African Agriculture (AAA) initiative promotes and fosters the implementation of specific projects to improve soil management, agricultural water control and climate risk management. Proponents believe the initiative can be a platform for a stronger collective voice for adaptation in African agriculture, and a means to contribute to countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), or climate action plans.

Although Africa is only responsible for 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is particularly vulnerable to climate change. In fact, 6 out of the 10 most affected countries are African, and the Continent will face a 20 per cent decrease in agricultural yields by 2050, even if global warming is limited to 2°C. Already, its negative effects are reducing Africa’s gross domestic product by 1.4 per cent annually.

Meanwhile, adaptation projects worldwide mobilise only 20 per cent of public climate funds. Even though it accounts for 16 per cent of the global population, Africa attracts only 5 per cent of available resources.

“Smallholders cannot shoulder the costs of making agriculture more sustainable alone. In Africa, there is a need for better policies that promote technical assistance, smarter subsidies that incentivise adoption of climate-smart practices and broader access to land, financial products, infrastructure and markets,” said Margarita Astralaga, Director of IFAD’s Environment and Climate Division.

The AAA initiative, therefore, is a programme for resilient agriculture in Africa that promotes better working conditions for small rural producers. It focuses on funding soil fertility, arboriculture and agroforestry, greater carbon sequestration in soils, rolling out agricultural insurance, and broadening coverage of meteorological information and early warning systems. To implement its agenda, it is seeking US $30 billion in public climate funds.

Furthermore, many of the solutions to climate and food challenges can be found at the intersection of Africa, agriculture and adaptation. 65 per cent of the world’s unused arable land is in Africa, making it a potential breadbasket for a growing population. Generally, small farming systems are still traditional and therefore able to modernize very quickly (using digital tools, new farming techniques, and renewable energy). And finally, agriculture is a huge source of jobs, especially for young people capable of adopting more science-based and business-oriented modifications to agricultural practices.

As a sense of urgency to address climate change and food insecurity starts to permeate the corridors of high political offices, the AAA initiative is a welcome contribution to development solutions for Africa.

Written by: Ricci Symons

Here at COP22, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held a high level interactive discussion on the role international trade can play in helping countries implement their nationally determined contributions in the battle against climate change.

Coming together for better results

“We need to look at a platform for UN agencies to have a dialogue, starting here, but continuing on, so we can continue to exchange ideas and head towards carbon emission reduction. All parties should cooperate to promote a supportive and open international economic system, leading to sustainable economic growth, allowing them to take measure to combat climate change,” said William Agyemang-Bonsu of the UNFCCC.

Bonapas Onguglo from UNCTAD followed on from William, stating, “economic diversification and meeting NDCs go hand in hand. Now we need to tap into vast resources in the public and private sectors in order to transfer to a low-carbon economy.

“It is important to stabilise the environmental regime so that we can stabilise the trade regime,” Bonapas added. “To transfer to a low-carbon economy, we need businesses at every level and in every sector. But it cannot be global top-down, but rather needs to be from the bottom up. Meeting climate goals, means meeting international trade demands, we need to create the need for green goods, and then make sure we can supply that demand.”

Innovation and technology

Anders Aeroe of the International Trade Centre (ITC) posed the following question: how does the Paris agreement impact small and medium enterprises? He spoke of the worries of managing a ‘just transition’ to a low-carbon economy. Especially when you consider high unemployment rates and poverty. He went on to say, “climate policies can have a positive side for businesses. There are opportunities for those that are willing to innovate.”

Aik Hoe Lim from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) added, “Economic diversification doesn’t exist without taking trade into account. And not just trade but also climate efficiency.”

He believes that the first point of action should be on reducing cost of key climate technologies, and speeding up production. Reiterating what was said earlier, he believes that the demand needs to be created and encouraged, and then crucially it needs to be met.

WTO are concentrating on tariffs on important tech like LED bulbs or solar cookers. The average tariff may be low, but you have lots of tariff peaks-ranging 35-100 per cent of the cost. This is one area where work can be done to reduce costs and eventually eliminate tariffs on climate goods.

There is also an argument that trading internationally can encourage producers to raise their environment standards and innovate. When there are agreed international standards, this can only help. There is already a move towards harmonisation with international standards. Rising from one per cent in 2000, it was already at 27 per cent last year, with a projection of 50 per cent by 2040.

Climate smart agriculture

IFAD’s Director Margarita Astralaga gave the IFAD point of view on trade. She talked about how food is a primary commodity, universally needed, but as we all know, agriculture is part of the problem, as the second net producer of greenhouse gas emissions. “Therefore the primary sector needs to be brought on board. The agriculture sector can help us produce more food whilst at the same time reducing our carbon footprint,” she went on to say.

Margarita gave an insight into how IFAD works. When talking about climate smart agriculture (CSA), she highlighted how it has been practiced by indigenous peoples for ages, and what IFAD does is to bring that back while also complimenting it with new technology, and expanding its implementation.

“93 per cent of the developing world NDCs talk about CSA. With it, we offset millions of tonnes of CO2. We now know we need to still produce more food, by 2050 food production needs to go up at least 60 per cent. We have to marry food supply with reducing carbon footprint and trade.”

“We must get serious about fostering climate smart development pathways,” she concluded.

Written by: Ilaria Firmian

Just like last year in Paris, IFAD participated in the Development & Climate Days during COP22.

Following the success of last year's Taste the Change session on rethinking our climate choices through food, this year IFAD brought the artist Silas Birtwistle to contribute to a session on  ‘Climate, Culture and Cuisine: A taste of what’s to come’.

Links between culture and food

What is the link between the 16th century painter Arcimboldo, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper and a decorated ancient Egyptian pottery?

They all represent grapes and wheat, crops that are currently affected by climate change impacts, which means that they might no longer be represented as common goods on Mediterranean tables in the future.

©IFAD/I. Firmian

The participants shared their reflections on the existing linkages between cultural identity and food. These linkages are currently under threat because of climate change and its effects on agricultural production.

"Art can ask questions, start our imaginations, we can think of the world in a different way," said Birtwistle about his upcoming art work in collaboration with IFAD.

At the same time the participants agreed that food and art can be used to communicate messages about climate to a broad audience and eventually bring behavioural change - because for behavioural change to happen being inspired at a personal level is what matters. And the more senses that are involved in this process, the more effective is the learning and possibly the change.

Silas Birtwistle introduced his upcoming art work in collaboration with IFAD: human heads made entirely of fruit and vegetables sourced locally from around  Cancun and under threat from the changing climate in Mexico.  He will use them to sensitize negotiators at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP13) next month.

"Art can ask questions, start our imaginations, we can think of the world in a different way," said Birtwistle. "Part of what I am attempting to do is shine a light on the big picture while looking at the miniatures, at the microcosms, and give voice to the people who have helped me to do that in different places."

Building resilience in communities

With a similar but different approach, a group of young Moroccan chefs presented their recipes to shift consumption away from such a meat-based diet.

‘Climate, Culture and Cuisine’ was just one among many sessions that touched different topics, from social protection, to indigenous knowledge, to linkages between research and action.

©IFAD/I. Firmian

With the innovative and highly participatory interaction that always characterizes the Development & Climate Days virtual reality, poems and even flash mobs, were used to communicate messages that stand at the core of IFAD’s business. To quote Mary Robinson’s words during the high-level closing panel ‘I am pleased by the emphasis on building resilience in communities that was run through all sessions in this meeting. The local is as important as the national and the global when it comes to implementation’

Written by Nerina Muzurovic

©IFAD/N. Muzurovic

A changing climate and unpredictable weather have an enormous impact on food production. When people can’t grow food due to changing weather patterns, they migrate, threatening food security of entire countries.

The changes in the Al Haouz province of Morocco provide a good example of how local farmers’ resilience to climate change can be improved thanks to innovative technologies. Better irrigation has led to higher crop yields, increased available drinking water, and improved job opportunities for young people living in the area.

An irrigation system changes the land—and lives

A decade ago, this stretch of land in a small village of Sidi Badhaj, located in Morocco’s mountainous Al Haouz region was completely barren: fallow ground, empty and dry.

In 2009, an IFAD-financed project provided technical support to introduce drip irrigation technology, here. The new system allowed farmers to irrigate both the olive trees that are their main source of income, and the vegetables - fava beans, melons, green peas - that feed their families.

Just a year after the irrigation system was installed, farmers were already seeing results. Thanks to the irrigation, they no longer have to depend on the rain, and are now able to water their fields year round, including during the dry summer. Incomes stabilized, and migration decreased. The new vegetation also created a new micro-climate: The earth became softer and less dry, thanks to the plants, which also produce more oxygen.

Now, local farmers would like to further improve the irrigation system by installing solar water pumps.

Climate resilience brings jobs back to rural areas in Morocco

According to 30 year-old Mr Abdelatif El Badaoui, Treasurer of the Amghrass cooperative, “Young people used to migrate to the city for work,” he said. “Now, they can help provide support to farmers.” ©IFAD/N. Muzurovic

Adaptation to climate change and soil conservation 

The ravines, at this site, are a perfect example of soil erosion—a good point of contrast to the visible improvement of the plant cover nearby. ©IFAD/N. Muzurovic

Ms Tahra Ait Benazou, cooperative Tiwizi (first one on the right), “The young people are here, now. I have three sons. They are here with me, and they work in the field and in the cooperative.” ©IFAD/A. Valentini

By Marie Chanoine, Ilaria Firmian and Brian Thomson

Last week in Kigali IFAD organised the first South-South exchange among five projects that receive co-financing from the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP).
The objective of the workshop was to bring together project practitioners for mutual learning, capacity building and collaborative efforts. Participants included project implementation unit members from PASP (Rwanda), PRELNOR (Uganda), PROSUL (Mozambique), WAMPP (Lesotho) and CALIP (Bangladesh).

On the first day each project presented its own objectives, activities and achievements so far, then we went more in depth on the topic of climate information, which is something that all the projects have in common. A recent study on PASP intermediate results on climate information was presented by Dr Denis Rugege who highlighted how farmers understand the critical need for climate information. Rugege emphasized the importance of building feedback systems that contribute to improving and tailoring the message to farmer’s needs. This also encourages a higher quantity and quality in terms of their participation.

The second day focused on the delivery of a capacity building training on messaging techniques, as well as on group work on four topics selected on the basis of participants’ demands. The topics were: (i) addressing gender and nutrition as cross cutting issues in adaptation projects; (ii) best practices in natural resource management planning; (iii) challenges and opportunities in working with different types of partners; and (iv) piloting climate-smart technologies and bringing them to scale.

On the third day, the Rwanda team organised a field visit to the KOREMU cooperative, a maize and beans farmer cooperative, located in the Eastern Province's Ngoma District. The cooperative was created in 2011 with 90 members, cultivating under 40ha only. Presently, thanks to PASP support that covers training and coaching and climate information dissemination as well as financial support for investing in climate-smart facilities, technologies and equipment, the cooperative has grown considerably with 350 members cultivating almost 600 ha.

On the final day the discussion focused on the development of Knowledge Management and Communication plans at project level. All the projects had identified a number of common challenges in terms of generation and dissemination of lessons from project experience including weak communication systems within the project, product development, accessing media and broadcasting, linking knowledge to policy dialogue process, etc. and our team from IFAD proposed actions and support to overcome them. The tried and tested ‘Climate Games’ were also used in the workshop to stimulate reflection and foster interactions.

The project practioners were coming from countries affected by diverse climate change effects (e.g. drought, dry spells, floods, flash floods, water stress, etc.) and intervening in various value chains. Hence, the workshop was a distinctive opportunity to exchange on challenges and adaptation strategies and practices adopted in both Asia and Africa. Although project challenges were peculiar to each country as per the social, economic, political and environmental and climate contexts, the workshop participants were delighted to share practical solutions and technical approaches pertinent to most cases.

This was the first step to build a network of IFAD’s ASAP implementers for future collaborations and experience sharing – listening to their say we can say it was successful!

Written by: Mia Madsen

Participants at IFAD-Iraq high-level meeting in Amman, Jordan. ©IFAD/M. Madsen

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is developing its first country programme in Iraq. IFAD's Near East, North Africa and Europe Division (NEN) has concluded a high-level consultation meeting in Amman, Jordan,  where a roadmap for IFAD investment in Iraq was discussed.

The meeting included representatives from Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture at the Central and Governorate level, Ministry of Water Resources, Iraqi universities and research institutions, as well as other international partners working in Iraq including the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Italian Cooperation and others. All participants and Iraqi stakeholders contributed directly to the outcome: the priorities for the Country Strategy Note and the key elements of the first IFAD project to be developed in the country.

Working in fragile situations

"The first step in the partnership between IFAD and Iraq has been very positive. We had frank productive discussions during the meetings and now have a clear idea of issues related to production and constraints in the agricultural sector in Iraq," said Ahmad Bamarni, Ambassador of Iraq to Italy.

The IFAD-Iraq high-level meeting was held in Amman, Jordan, 18-20 October 2016.  Opening the  meeting,  Khalida Bouzar, Director of IFAD’s Near East, North Africa & Europe Division (NEN), stated that IFAD's  engagement in Iraq is part of the agency’s strategy to work in fragile situations.

"This meeting is an opportunity for us to discuss the priorities and main strategies for future investment in Iraq. Hopefully in the future we can hold similar meetings in Iraq," said  Bouzar.
IFAD's engagement with Iraq and the development of the country programme, are aligned with and build on, the IFAD fragile situations strategy. IFAD will work to build resilience of target communities in post-conflict environments like in Iraq, in a participatory manner through partnerships with local and international organizations, and maintain a clear focus on gender and targeting of the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

"We look forward to activating a programme in the agriculture sector which needs new technologies to improve and develop crop and livestock productivity. We believe that agriculture and food organizations like IFAD and FAO are important partners. They have highly reputed experts in agriculture and rural development," said Dr. Kutaiba Mohammed Hassan, Director-General, Department of Planning and Monitoring, Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq.

Abdelkarim Sma, NEN Regional Economist, presented the IFAD Strategic Framework and Operating Model, where he described IFAD interventions in other countries in the region (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Uzbekistan). Mr. Sma also shared insights on IFAD's previous interventions in Iraq. These included grant-financed interventions on improving  food security and climate change adaptability of livestock producers and on improving livelihoods of small producers through integrated pest management. IFAD's country programme would build on lessons from these interventions.

Challenges of the agricultural sector in Iraq

The main focus of the IFAD- Iraq meeting was to understand the present challenges that the Iraqi agricultural sector is facing as well as exchange ideas for future IFAD investments in the country. The interventions included challenges and opportunities for  investment in crop production, water and irrigation, livestock, date palm, climate change and natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, honey production, agricultural policy needs and access to finance. The discussions gave important insights on the challenges the agricultural sector in Iraq is facing and the areas that IFAD investments in Iraq should focus on, ensuring the interests of small-scale farmers remain the priority.

Jacopo Monzini, IFAD Senior Technical Specialist, presented a climate change mapping study which included information about the effects of climate change in Iraq. Some of the findings showed that temperatures have been increasing since 1981 and there are changes in rainfall patterns, a trend which is expected to continue affecting the agricultural sector also in the future.

"What we need in Iraq is to help smallholder farmers, youth and women establish small farms and produce crops and livestock,  improve their productivity, access markets and market their products. We need to introduce technologies to improve yields and farmer income, for example, drip and spray irrigation, packaging systems for horticulture systems, green houses and harvesting machines," said Dr. Fadhil Hussain Ridha, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kufa.

"We had a very nice, mature, scientific discussion about projects for developing the agriculture sector in Iraq," said Dr. Majeed K.  Abbas, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Al Qadisiyah.

The next  steps

The consultative meeting proposed potential elements of a project concept note, the Smallholder Agriculture Revitalization in Iraq Project (SARI), which would focus on improved crop and livestock productivity, enhanced resilience to climate change, and increased income diversification for smallholder farmers in Iraq. The proposed project will tentatively target five of the poorest governorates in Iraq (Qadisiyah, Thi Qar, Missan, Muthanna, Nineveh), with a phased implementation approach. IFAD will build on the partnerships developed during the meeting to design the project in a participatory manner in the first quarter of 2017, with a slightly ambitious target of submitting the first IFAD investment project in Iraq to the December 2017 Executive Board for approval.

"The meeting was good and it was very inclusive with partners and experts from different sectors who gave inputs for possible interventions. When planning the new project it is important to take into account the needs of rural women in Iraq as they face challenges like intense labour work at the farms, farming activities, milking, collecting water, responsibility for family, lack of education and health services, "said Dr. Magda Abdulkadhim Salem, Head of Tissue Culture Unit, Department of Horticulture.

When this study called for policy makers to set realistic targets towards meeting the Paris climate agreement some weeks back, authors were calling for real milestones to measure global progress.

But action towards specific emission targets can’t happen without guidance on what change needs to happen and where. To that end, this new study outlines a methodology tried and tested within communities. It’s called the “Climate smart agriculture rapid appraisal” tool.

This tool can feed directly into pledges made by individual countries towards the Paris agreement.

It delves into social, cultural, economic and environmental contexts to present farmers – and decision makers – with exactly this: what CSA options work to meet a triple-win, increasing productivity; enhancing resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, where, and why.

It’s designed to bring solutions which can feed directly into pledges made by individual countries in the Paris agreement. And, it can feed into national mitigation and adaptation programs across Africa as well.

Terraces in Lushoto Tanzania help conserve the soil.

The tool rates a list of context-specific agricultural practices which farmers use on their farm.

Focusing on two case studies in Uganda and Tanzania, the methodology provides a step-by-step guide for researchers or development organizations to present farmers with options which address the three pillars of Climate-Smart Agriculture: improved food security, adaptation and mitigation.

Farming systems are complex, and they differ widely across Africa. There is no solution that will fit every ecosystem; every community; every farm.

So getting the “ground-up” viewpoint from farmers is vital – after-all, they are the ones to implement the practices towards targets.

Central to the methodology is getting ideas from farmers themselves about which practices work on their farms; which new practices they might adopt in future; why and how might they work out? These “best” options – are also culturally aware, gender appropriate and likely to be adopted.

At the same time, the practices need to be realistic and scientifically sound. And they need to be part of national planning and policy, so input is needed from different stakeholders – like local-level agricultural experts, district-level extension agents, private companies, donor organizations, and policy makers – to ensure the options are practical at different levels.

The process of including both quantitative and qualitative inputs into the tool, is what separates this methodology from others. Most take one approach or the other.

To find site-specific solutions, every aspect of agriculture on the farm is rigorously analyzed through the methodology. What time of month are seeds sown? Which month are crops harvested, and who is responsible for harvesting – men or women? How will the new technology impact different social groups?

The process of investigating these questions brings to light some interesting issues. For example: imagine for a minute you don’t have internet access. You are in the field for the whole day and you’re busy. What’s the best way to reach you with an important message?

This is a question which plagues researchers, as they look for ways to get information about climate change to farmers. This methodology puts the conundrum to farmers, to find out which shops farmers frequent most, which organizations they are part of – to find places where farmers can easily be targeted with information – about drought-resilient beans, for example.

Flow of information from farmers to policy makers