Islamabad: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, convened a high-level meeting with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to discuss enhancing collaboration for sustainable agriculture and rural development in Pakistan.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting, chaired by Minister Hussain and attended by IFAD Country Director Fernanda Thomaz Da Rocha, focused on expanding financial and technical support for Pakistan’s agricultural sector. Discussions centered on addressing challenges such as climate change and resource constraints, with an emphasis on rural economic activities and innovative agricultural practices.

Minister Hussain highlighted the longstanding partnership with IFAD, which began in 1979, and praised the organization’s efforts in poverty reduction and livelihood enhancement across various regions. He noted the alignment of IFAD’s community-driven models with Pakistan’s development priorities and expressed interest in initiating new projects targeting rural youth employment and farmer resilience.

Ms. Da Rocha reiterated Pakistan’s significance in IFAD’s global portfolio and outlined current projects aimed at improving farmers’ productivity and market linkages. Country Programme Coordinator Ghulam Nabi Marri provided updates on ongoing initiatives, emphasizing the need for sustained collaboration and financial support to scale impact.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to deepen the partnership between Pakistan and IFAD, focusing on sustainable agricultural growth and rural prosperity.