Recent reports indicate that the rains have failed once again across vast swathes of Eastern Africa, putting millions of people at risk. This current regional crisis is a stark reminder to all of us that the global food security crisis of 2007 and 2008, which was marked by a sharp contraction in food supplies and food price spikes, is far from over. Food prices have come down from their peaks of 2008, but they are still at historically high levels. They have become more volatile, indicating underlying uncertainties, and are showing signs of rising again.
The future of global food security is highly dependent on two important and inter-related factors. The first is the degree to which developing countries will succeed in raising agricultural productivity through technological change and effective natural resource management.  The second is the degree to which the world will succeed in limiting climate change, while helping developing countries adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects. Read more

President's corner

President's interview on BBC: Focus on Africa, 3 November 2009

Guidelines could help improve farmland deals-IFAD - Reuters interviews IFAD President- 3 November 2009

Is fight against hunger a matter of security? - Christian Science Monitor interviews IFAD President - 2 November 2009

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Developing small enterprises with savings and credit support
One of the objectives of IFAD-funded operations is to strengthen communities so that can determine their own needs and mobilize resources to meet them. Small enterprise development and credit are central to this endeavour. Working with farmers, women and indigenous groups, IFAD and its partners have helped change the attitudes and economies of villages and municipalities in southern Philippines, even in areas affected by conflict.
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Indigenous cultural communities working to take the lead
Poverty, illiteracy and unemployment levels are high among the 18 indigenous groups that live in Mindanao. The IFAD-funded Northern Mindanao Community Initiatives Resource Management Project has helped empower tribes to take the lead in the education of their children and in their own self-governance – two important routes to a better future.
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