22.02.2012
Estonia became the member of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) today, which gives us an opportunity to contribute to ensuring the stability of developing countries.
“The global relevance of agricultural assistance has increased significantly in recent years and the price fluctuations of food commodities affect the continuation of this trend,” said the Minister of Agriculture of Estonia Helir-Valdor Seeder. “The Ministry of Agriculture wishes to share international responsibility and contribute as much as possible to food security, as well as solving problems related to environmentally friendly agriculture and rural development,” explained Seeder.
The president of IFAD Kanayo F. Nwanze said at the general meeting held today that each dollar implemented through IFAD becomes sixfold and significantly increases the influence of assistance.
Estonian enterprises now have the possibility to participate equally with other fund members in project competitions for goods, services and consultations.
Background information
The goal of IFAD is to alleviate poverty in the rural areas of developing countries by financing projects to develop agriculture.
The UN’s special organization established in 1976 has so far invested 12 billion US dollars into 860 projects and programmes, which have affected about 370 million rural inhabitants with very low income. Resources are allocated according to the need to increase food production and improve the nutrition level of the poorest people; attention is also paid on improving the living conditions.
As of today, IFAD has 169 members, including donor and developing countries of OPEC and OECD member states.
Additional information:
Karina Loi
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Agriculture
+372 625 6254, +372 529 1403