Case Study: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) investment in innovation for sustainable agricultural intensification

The only specialized multilateral development institution focused exclusively on rural development, IFAD has successfully used agriculture as a means of poverty reduction – contributing ~USD 22 billion in funding to date1. About 90% of IFAD's portfolio is focused on Low to Middle Income (LMI) countries. IFAD stands out with its nutrition and gender-sensitive lenses coupled with investments in climate-resilient agriculture – mainstreaming nutrition, gender, and climate change work in agriculture. An experienced agency in brokering partnerships, IFAD has to date mobilized ~ USD 31 billion in co-financing and funding from domestic sources. IFAD’s specialized focus on agriculture with additional lenses, as well as its success with collaborations can inspire many other funders - meriting a deeper look.