The International Fund for Agricultural Development has joined the World Bank Group’s Water Forward initiative, a global effort launched during the World Bank Group-IMF Spring Meetings to improve water security for up to 1 billion people by 2030.
Speaking at the launch, Alvaro Lario emphasized the critical role of water in rural economies, noting that it is not only essential for agriculture but also a driver of jobs, growth, and resilience—particularly in regions most affected by climate change. He highlighted IFAD’s focus on transforming water-related investments into economic opportunities through irrigation and rural water infrastructure that help communities manage droughts, floods, and other climate shocks.
The Water Forward initiative brings together governments, multilateral development banks, private sector actors, and philanthropies to align policy reforms, financing, and implementation. Its goal is to help countries develop scalable and investment-ready water systems that can support long-term economic growth and resilience.
As a major investor in rural development, IFAD mobilizes around $350 million annually for sustainable water solutions, encouraging both public and private investment in underserved rural areas. Its approach focuses on integrated solutions such as irrigation, watershed management, water harvesting, and climate-resilient infrastructure to improve productivity, create jobs, and strengthen livelihoods.
The impact of such investments is already visible in countries like India, where improved access to drinking water and small-scale irrigation has helped over 96,000 households increase productivity, enhance food security, and generate new income opportunities. Similarly, in Ethiopia, small-scale irrigation systems managed by farmers have led to higher crop yields, improved nutrition, and increased employment both on and off farms.
This collaboration builds on IFAD’s partnership with the World Bank’s AgriConnect initiative, through which it aims to reach at least 70 million small-scale farmers by 2030. As the only international financial institution dedicated to investing at the “first mile” of food systems, IFAD continues to play a key role in transforming rural economies, with evidence showing its investments can increase incomes, productivity, and market access by more than 30 percent.
