By Faridat Salifu, Rome
As global hunger worsens amid conflict and climate shocks, the International Fund for Agricultural Development is urging governments to rethink how and where agricultural investments are made.
The President of IFAD, Alvaro Lario, said lasting solutions to food insecurity lie in prioritising rural communities that produce the world’s food but remain among the poorest.
He spoke after a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, where discussions centred on rural poverty, food systems, and restoring hope in vulnerable regions.
Lario noted that about one third of the global population, an estimated 2.5 to 2.6 billion people, depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Despite their central role in feeding societies, he said rural populations continue to face underinvestment, limited market access, and growing exposure to climate and conflict risks.
The IFAD president said the organisation operates in 92 countries, focusing on long-term investments that strengthen rural economies rather than short-term food aid.
He explained that IFAD co-finances projects with governments, local communities, and the private sector to ensure shared responsibility and sustainability.
According to Lario, the key challenge is not only food production but enabling farmers to function as entrepreneurs with access to credit, insurance, technology, storage, and reliable markets.
He said IFAD’s strategy prioritises what it calls the “first mile,” referring to smallholder farmers who form the foundation of global food systems.
Lario said nearly 80 per cent of people living in extreme poverty are found in rural areas, which are often overlooked in national development planning.
He added that agriculture remains one of the most effective drivers of economic growth, delivering two to three times more impact than other sectors in agrarian economies.
The IFAD president said weak local supply chains continue to limit farmers’ incomes and worsen food shortages, making market connectivity a development priority.
He cited Sudan as one of the countries where IFAD is supporting smallholder farmers despite ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges.
Lario said food insecurity and conflict are closely linked, as hunger fuels instability while violence disrupts food production.
He argued that investing in agriculture can help stabilise communities by creating livelihoods, reducing desperation, and fostering cooperation.
Lario said Pope Leo XIV emphasised the moral responsibility to ensure rural producers benefit from the food they grow, drawing on his experience working with farming communities in Peru.
He said IFAD’s work aims to give rural populations the tools to sustain themselves, contribute to peace, and support global food security.
