Accra:The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has pledged to intensify its collaboration with Kenya to advance agricultural transformation, bolster food security, and enhance livelihoods in rural areas. This announcement coincides with Matteo Marchisio assuming his role as IFAD’s new Country Director and Representative to Kenya, following his presentation of credentials to Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi.
According to Kenya News Agency, Marchisio emphasized IFAD’s commitment to working with the Kenyan government and other partners to improve rural livelihoods, build climate resilience, and expand economic opportunities for rural communities. He highlighted the mutual commitment and shared ownership at the core of IFAD’s partnership with Kenya, reaffirming support for the country’s development goals.
Kenya is focused on transforming its agricultural sector by empowering farmers, reducing production costs, promoting value addition and agribusiness, and attracting investment to create jobs in rural areas. IFAD is supporting these efforts through investments in smallholder farmers, rural enterprises, and financial services, while also strengthening agricultural value chains, market access, and sustainable resource management.
The partnership includes initiatives to improve preparedness for climate-related shocks like El Niño. IFAD-financed projects are enhancing early warning systems, reducing risks, protecting vulnerable rural households and productive assets, and aiding recovery from climate-related disasters.
Marchisio noted that the development of IFAD’s next country strategy for Kenya in 2027 will align future investments with government priorities and emerging challenges. This strategy will build on collaboration with national and county governments, the private sector, farmers’ organizations, and development partners.
Kenya’s role in IFAD’s governance was acknowledged, with appreciation for the government’s contribution to the institution’s fourteenth replenishment. This pledge signifies Kenya’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and sustainable rural development, despite fiscal challenges. Since joining IFAD in 1977, Kenya has benefited from more than 20 financed programs and projects, mobilizing nearly 1.4 billion US dollars to support rural transformation, agricultural development, and climate resilience, impacting millions of rural Kenyans.
