IFAD Finances 8 Agricultural Projects

DAMASCUS (ST)- The agricultural development projects carried out by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in many countries  have become as an example to be followed of successful cooperation and as a factor of stability economically and socially in the rural areas.

 A workshop was opened recently here on the issues of  implementing the projects of IFAD.  Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Dr. Nabi Rasheed Mohammed, delivered a speech in the presence of a number of managers at the ministry and representatives of Arab and international organizations.
 The minister stressed the importance of cooperation between Syria and the Fund, which reached high levels through the implementation of several successful projects, particularly the Rural Development Project in the north east, the Rural Development Project in Idleb and Development of  Livestock Project and the Shamiya  Rose which helped turn the land to a productive area  and their population can ensure, to farmers, sources to live a decent life, in addition to the rehabilitation of a significant number of qualified personnel in administrative, financial and technical operations  to reclaim land.

He also praised the role being played by this generous institution to achieve better levels of agricultural and social development and the fight against poverty and hunger suffered by millions of the world’s population.
For his part, Representative of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Nabil Mahayni, talked on innovations that began in IFAD projects with the Agricultural Development Project in the southern region;  stressing that the most  important innovation is that which we expect to enter the Rural Development Project in the north-eastern region and the integrated development of the livestock in dry areas where there are no rivers or swamps.

Director of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Haitham al-Ashqar, clarified the importance of this workshop, which discussed the most important issues concerning the implementation of projects financed by the Fund in an attempt to overcome the obstacles and make sure the proper functioning of its implementation.

Through the 25 years of cooperation with the Fund, 8 projects has been funded, most recently its contribution to the financing of Livestock Development Project, and provided more than $ 140 million soft loans contributed to the advancement of the agricultural sector, Dr. al Ashqar pointing out.

The two- day workshop,  discussed the Rural Development Project in Idleb, the Rural Development Project in the north-eastern region,  the integrated development project of livestock ,  the Shamiya Rose and the prospects for development in the projects of IFAD.

SH.KH.