Agros Blog

Lennart Bage, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), recently published an article on the essential elements needed to fight poverty in a lasting, sustainable way. His findings both affirm and dovetail with our own development model here at Agros, where we have also found that alleviating rural poverty requires an integrated, holistic, and sustainable approach.

Here are a few quotes from his article, and a link to the entire piece:

“Investments in agriculture can transform economies and pay high dividends in terms of quality of life and dignity for poor rural people.

Many of those left behind are rural people - the small farmers, landless workers, herders, fisherfolk and artisans who depend on agriculture and related activities to survive. Seventy-five per cent of the world’s extremely poor people live in the rural areas of developing countries - over 800 million women, children and men. One-quarter have no secure access to land. In many areas, indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities make up a disproportionate number of the rural poor, and in all areas women are the most vulnerable and marginalised.

Agricultural investments drive economic growth
Investments in agriculture can transform economies and pay high dividends in terms of quality of life and dignity for poor rural people. They can drive broader economic growth, setting the stage for long-term sustainable development. Indeed, investments in agriculture are more effective in raising people out of poverty than investments in any other sector.

…these solutions must be rooted in the aspirations and priorities of poor people themselves… poor rural people tell us that secure access to land, water and other natural resources is one of their highest priorities. In fact, studies show that inequitable distribution and lack of access to land are often the driving forces behind poverty and hunger, as well as the roots of armed conflict and civil war.”

Click here to read more of President Bage’s excellent article.