Ukraine becomes a member of the international fund for agricultural development: new opportunities for the agricultural sector

Ukraine has officially become the 179th member of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) — a specialized agency of the United Nations focused on transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems. This achievement opens new opportunities for the development of the agricultural sector and will promote support for small-scale farming in Ukraine.

Ifad’s priorities: supporting small-scale farming

The primary mission of IFAD is to provide financial support for agricultural projects that assist small farmers and other rural residents. Ukraine’s membership in the fund will allow Ukrainian producers to gain access to financial resources, boosting their competitiveness, strengthening market positions, and promoting overall growth in the agricultural sector.

One of IFAD’s main priorities is supporting small-scale farming, which is particularly significant for Ukraine, where small and medium-sized farms make up a large portion of the agricultural economy.

New opportunities for ukrainian farmers

Ukraine’s participation in IFAD offers several new opportunities for Ukrainian agricultural producers, including:

• Access to funding — Ukrainian farmers will gain access to affordable financial resources and grant support for agricultural projects.
• Participation in Ifad tenders — Ukrainian producers can participate in procurement tenders organized by the Fund, which will open new contracts and increase sales.
• Investments for sustainable development — IFAD will provide investments that support the implementation of sustainable and eco-friendly practices in agriculture.

Key areas of support

IFAD focuses its support on the following key areas within agriculture:

• Increasing productivity — Investments in improving agricultural technologies to boost yields and production efficiency.
• Increasing farmers’ income — Providing new markets and access to affordable financial resources.
• Innovative technologies — Implementing new technologies in agriculture to improve product quality and reduce costs.
• Resilience to crises and climate change — Promoting measures that help farmers adapt to the negative impacts of climate change and global crises.

Importance for infrastructure and climate change adaptation

Joining IFAD will also have a positive impact on the development of rural infrastructure. The Fund actively supports investments in rural infrastructure, including road construction, water supply, irrigation systems, and other key projects.

One critical aspect of cooperation is also climate change adaptation. In the face of global climate changes, it is crucial for Ukrainian farmers, especially in southern Ukraine, to have access to the latest technologies that can help preserve crops and adapt to changing weather conditions.

Ukraine’s membership in the International Fund for Agricultural Development opens up new opportunities for Ukrainian farmers and the agricultural sector as a whole. Support for small-scale farmers, access to financing, investments in infrastructure and technology — all these factors create favorable conditions for the development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector. This step will increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian agriculture on the global market and help the country effectively adapt to global economic and climate challenges.