KATHMANDU, August 9: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) inaugurated a new office in Nepal, reinforcing its commitment to collaborating with the Government of Nepal to enhance the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.
Issuing a statement on Thursday, the UN agency that works with its member states to support development for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people said that the inauguration ceremony on August 8 was attended by Reehana Rifat Raza, regional director for the Asia and the Pacific Division at the Programme Management Department of the IFAD, Rajendra Prasad Mishra, secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and Neils Balzer, country director for the World Food Programme in Nepal.
“IFAD plays a crucial role in supporting small-scale farmers in Nepal, especially women and youth, as they navigate the challenges of climate change,” the statement quoted Raza as saying.
“We work closely with the government to help smallholder farmers increase their incomes, improve food security, and build a more sustainable future. Our new office here is a strategic step towards deepening our partnership and accelerating progress,” she added.
Secretary Mishra thanked IFAD for supporting smallholder farmers and encouraged the Fund to invest more in Nepal’s agriculture sector as a part of the country’s recently launched Decade of Agriculture. He also emphasized the need for IFAD’s country strategy to evolve according to the changed context, incorporating changes in governance structure and challenges like climate change and youth out-migration, the statement added.
IFAD stated that it recognizes the potential for greater impact through enhanced partnerships with the government, donor agencies, and the private sector as it expands its presence and financing in Nepal
Roshan Cooke, IFAD country director for Nepal and Bhutan, stated that “setting up a new office in Kathmandu brings us closer to our ground operations and improves oversight of the country portfolio. It also allows us to engage in policy dialogue at the country level to advance the transition to agroecological farming, improve domestic and export market access, and empower smallholder farmers."
The statement added that IFAD’s strategy in Nepal addresses key challenges such as poverty, inequality and social marginalization, particularly in the hill and mountain regions where infrastructure and market access are limited.
“Programmes are focused on improving rural infrastructure, targeting marginalized communities, improving income opportunities, and supporting governance and community resilience,” reads the statement.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by Nabraj Simkhada, deputy CEO of KSBBL, directors of the IFAD-financed programmes, and representatives from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, and the Ministry of Urban Development. Representatives from private sector and civil society were also present, added the statement
According to IFAD, Nepal was one of the first countries to receive an IFAD loan in 1978. Since then, IFAD has financed 20 projects with a total cost of US$929.29 million, including US$404.68 million of IFAD’s own resources, reaching over 1.1 million families, the statement further said.
According to IFAD, the new office will oversee significant projects, including the Value Chains for Inclusive Transformation of Agriculture Programme (VITA) with a cost of US$179 million, the Agriculture Sector Development Programme (ASDP) with a cost of US$50 million, the Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project (RERP – Samriddhi) costing US$26 million and the newly approved Resilient High Value Agricultural Programme (R-HVAP) at US$120 million, all of which reinforce IFAD’s commitment to advancing agricultural development in Nepal.
