Put Money in Marginal Areas, IFAD Pleads

In a report issued at the World Summit on Sustainable Development yesterday, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) asked the international community to focus its efforts and investment in marginal, low-potential rural areas.

The report also warned that rural poverty and environmental degradation, inextricably linked, is likely to worsen in the future in view of the predicted changes to global and regional climates affecting rainfall patterns and increasing droughts, floods and storms.

The key to halting environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development is engaging the active participation of poor farmers, herders and other groups, especially women, according to IFAD President Lennart Bage.

He said at a press conference that there is potential for investment in fragile rural areas. Bage also stressed the need to help indigenous people, often neglected in the past.

IFAD Assistant President Phrang Roy told TerraViva that the organisation expects the summit to lead to closer partnership among different groups helping the rural poor.

The Rome-based organisation says of 1.2 billion people who are suffering from extreme poverty, 900 million live in rural areas.

To overcome their poverty and ease their pressure on the resource base, they need better access to assets like land and water, technology, efficient markets and supportive institutions, according to Bage.