Enock Ngoma
31 May 2011
Brussels, Belgium — The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) says providing appropriate support to small holder farmers in rural areas can ensure food security in the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) countries.
IFAD President Kanayo Nwanze said here that empowering the small holder farmer was vital as this category of farmers had a pivotal role to play in food security and economic growth.
Dr Nwanze cited a Zambian small holder farmer Esther Siakanede, among others, who took part in small holder irrigation scheme that helped her grow cabbages and tomatoes for the Livingstone and Kalomo markets.
The IFAD chief who was addressing the on-going 93rd Session of the ACP Council of Ministers at the ACP Secretariat, said as a result of her higher income, Ms Siakanede had been able to send her children to schools.
She had had been able to expand her farm and improve her home.
“This is what empowerment is all about. I have been amazed and impressed by the desire and the ability of people to transform their own lives when they are empowered by the right investment under all the IFAD-supported programmes,” he said.
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Small-Scale Farmers Key, Says IFAD