New Delhi, Dec 12 ( LatestNewsX ) — India announced its recent successes in rural development, women’s empowerment, and climate‑resilient farming during the IFAD–India Day celebration in Rome, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday.
The government drew attention to the country’s renowned women’s collectives, which have grown from modest savings clubs into powerful economic groups, as a prime example of community‑driven change that resonates worldwide.
In the last four‑and‑a‑half decades, India and IFAD have backed 36 projects valued at $4.4 billion, with IFAD’s own contribution totaling $1.5 billion, the statement added. With six programmes still active, worth $459 million, India’s co‑financing ratio stands at 2.65—well above the global average—showing the nation’s strong ownership and confidence in the partnership.
Key highlights of the joint portfolio include improved market access for more than 45 000 rural businesses in Meghalaya, expanded job opportunities and income for women in Maharashtra, heightened climate resilience for 300,000 small farmers in Jammu & Kashmir, and initiatives in Uttarakhand aimed at boosting earnings and reducing migration.
IFAD President Alvaro Lario praised India’s role in leading scalable, community‑driven rural development and noted that several India–IFAD programmes are now viewed as global best practices.
Anu Mathai, Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs and India’s alternate governor to IFAD, emphasized that the partnership is built on shared values of inclusivity, sustainability and local ownership. “The partnership is ‘anchored in a common vision that places rural communities at the heart of development,’” she said. “IFAD has been a consistent and trusted partner in enabling India to scale innovative, equitable and sustainable rural livelihood models.”
As a founding member and major contributor to IFAD, India continues to lead South‑South and Triangular Cooperation, driving rural institution building and value‑chain development, the statement read.
aar/khz
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