IFAD Strategy for Rural Poverty Reductionin Western and Central

Africa 2002-2006

Africa I DivisionProgramme Management

Department

Regional PovertyAssessment

IFAD StrategicFramework2002-2006

Internal IFADWorkshops and

ManagementReviews

Dakar VideoConference

November 2000

DRAFT STRATEGY

Western Africa SeminarDakar

January 2002

Central Africa Seminar,Yaoundé

March/April 2002

IFAD Governing Council Rome

February 2002

FINAL STRATEGY

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

Introduction: The Strategy Formulation Process

Political and social: Democratization Conflict International and regional initiatives: MDGs, PRSP,

HIPC, NEPAD

Economic Decentralization Globalization

Demographic Urbanization HIV/AIDS

Environmental Natural resources degradation

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

Regional Overview: Rapid Change on Multiple Fronts

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

Rural Poverty:Total poor in the region = 125 million (out of a

total population of 308 million), of which:

73%

27%

Rural poor (91 million)

Urban poor(34 million)

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

Rural Poverty: Regional Characteristics

Limited voice on policy and investment decisions

Geographic Restricted access to assets Gender dimensions Conflict and HIV/AIDS

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

Lessons from Experience: Human and Social Capital

Community-level planning for capacity strengthening

Decentralization for more accountable and transparent rural service delivery

Building on traditional organizational structures, knowledge and practices

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

Lessons from Experience: Productive Assets

Developing input markets to boost agricultural productivity

Building on local technologies, practices, and social organization

Supporting potable water provision which is linked to improved health and nutrition

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

Lessons from Experience: Financial Assets

Giving greater attention to market linkages Focusing on the institutional development of

micro-finance activities Increasing the access of the rural poor to micro-

finance Providing support to income diversification

activities

IFAD Strategy in Western and Central Africa

HUMANCAPITAL BASE

GLOBABLIZATIONINFRASTRUCTUREBASE

AGRICULTURALPRODUCTIVITY

POLICIES ANDINSTITUTIONS

RURAL POVERTY REDUCTION AND EMPOWERMENT

Strengthened capacity,greater pro-poor focusof policies andinstitutions

Agricultural andnatural resourceproductivity andtechnology

Higher rural incomes,market access

Reduced vulnerabilityfrom threats tolivelihoodsStrategic

Objectives

Context

GeneralObjective

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

IFAD Strategy in WCA: Strategic Objective #1

Strengthen the capacity of the rural poor, their organizations, and improve the pro-poor focus of

rural development policies and institutions

Focus AreasCommunity-driven developmentParticipatory M&E tools and approachesRural service delivery within a decentralized environmentKnowledge sharing on grassroots strengthening investments and policies

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

IFAD Strategy in WCA: Strategic Objective #2

Raise agricultural and natural resource productivity and improve access to technology

Focus AreasSustainable agricultural development and community-based natural resource management Agricultural research TAGsInput supply systems strengthenedSustainable access to water resources

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

IFAD Strategy in WCA: Strategic Objective #3

Increase rural incomes through improved access to financial capital and markets

Focus AreasPro-poor rural financial services deliveryFood marketing systemsIncome diversification

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

IFAD Strategy in WCA: Strategic Objective #4

Reduce vulnerability from major threats to rural livelihoods

Focus AreasPost-conflict assistance HIV/AIDS prevention and coping

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

IFAD Strategy in WCA:Cross-Cutting Approaches

Investing in women Enhancing participation Building on indigenous knowledge

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

IFAD Mission Statement & Intervention Modalities for 2002-2006

Enabling the Rural Poor to Overcome their Poverty

Intervention ModalitiesProjects and ProgrammesPolicy DialogueKnowledge ManagementEnhancing Catalytic Impact

• Introduction

•Regional Overview

•Rural Poverty

•Lessons from Experience

•IFAD Strategy

IFAD Mission Statement for W&CAIn order to improve the incomes and living conditions of the rural poor in Western and Central Africa, IFAD will

respond to a critical mass of priority needs of poor women and men. This will involve capacity building to

empower the rural poor and strengthen local-level institutions. It will also involve the mobilization of

energies, resources, and local and external knowledge and capacity through partnerships with institutions

sharing IFAD’s objectives and having complementary approaches and expertise. Accordingly, this will be achieved through the design and implementation of

projects and programmes that are: impact and learning oriented, flexible and participatory, equitable and gender

sensitive; sustainable (cost-effective both environmentally and institutionally); and capable of

providing input for policy analysis and dialogue.