International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): Unlocking Rural Transformation by Investing in Women Farmers
SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 2: Zero Hunger
Institution: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmersβ Welfare | Ministry of Rural Development | Ministry of Women & Child Developme
IFAD (a specialized agency of the United Nations and an international financial institution) has highlighted that investing in rural women is central to achieving inclusive rural transformation, as women make up over half of the global agricultural workforce but own less than 15 % of farmland and have limited access to credit or paid employment. This imbalance, IFAD notes, constrains productivity and rural incomes; closing gender gaps in agriculture could boost global GDP by nearly US $1 trillion.
The message was featured in IFADβs Video News Release on 17 October 2025, marking International Day of Rural Women. It showcases how targeted interventions, such as training, digital tools, and market access, help women shift from subsistence labour to entrepreneurship. In Rwanda, the IFAD-supported Agribusiness Hub Programme (with the Visa Foundation) has trained over 1,500 youths across 17 districts and generated 20,000 jobs, more than half held by women. Between 2025 and 2030, IFAD plans to reach 70 million small-scale farmers, expanding access to finance and sustainable agricultural practices.
The release reinforces the global case for gender-responsive rural finance and inclusive value chains. Investing in rural women multiplies returns across development goals, enhancing productivity, food security, and climate resilience. For India and other agrarian economies, it underlines the value of mainstreaming gender equity in agricultural extension and digital farming initiatives.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
What financing and institutional mechanisms are needed to ensure that investment in rural women translates into lasting gains in productivity, income, and resilience?
Follow the full release here: IFAD 17 Oct 2025