Astana, IFAD mull combating rural poverty in Kazakhstan
By Aynur Karimova
Kazakhstan's success in combating rural poverty and its new role as an emerging donor were high on the agenda of talks held between the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development and government officials.
"IFAD is looking forward to deepening its relationship with Kazakhstan by supporting the implementation of their ‘Agrobusiness 2020’ strategy, in particular the promotion of smallholder farmer engagement to increase productivity and diversify the country’s agricultural economy," Michel Mordasini, IFAD Vice President said on May 21.
Mordasini, who was addressing the 8th Astana Economic Forum, being held in Kazakhstan on May 21-22, highlighted how IFAD's work in the region can help support the important official development assistance work that Kazakhstan is embarking on.
"There is much that we can achieve by sharing knowledge across regions and continents, and by working together, in close collaboration with the public and private sectors, and smallholder farmers," Mordasini said.
As part of his visit to Kazakhstan, Mordasini met with the country's Agriculture Minister Assylzhan Mamytbekov, Finance Minister Bahyt Sultanov, and Deputy Foreign Minister Erzhan Ashikbayev to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation and deepening IFAD's engagement with Kazakhstan and the region.
Kazakhstan is the seventh largest wheat exporter in the world, which represents over 85 percent of its total cereal production. The country entered the top five fastest-growing countries over the past decade, but continues to struggle with rural poverty.
Demonstrating its commitment to global sustainable development, peace and stability, Kazakhstan recently developed a comprehensive strategic vision to provide official development assistance, targeting neighboring countries.
IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized UN agency based in Rome. It invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience.
Since 1978, IFAD has provided nearly $16.6 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached about 445 million people.
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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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