The challenge of combating land degradation and desertification is more urgent than ever, especially for smallholder farmers who are on the frontlines of their devastating impacts. As the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification takes place in Riyadh this week, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is calling for urgent investments to support smallholders and protect the world’s food security, climate and ecosystems.
IFAD President Alvaro Lario spoke in Riyadh to advocate on behalf of smallholder farmers and producers who are suffering the devastating effects of drought and desertification, threatening the livelihoods of an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide.
Recently, East Africa experienced its worst drought in over 40 years, while North Africa has not been spared either. The Sahel, a buffer region between the Sahara and more fertile areas to the south, has retreated up to 200 kilometres southward over the past three decades. Zimbabwe has also suffered the worst drought in living memory, forcing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare a nationwide state of disaster.
To address these challenges, IFAD is supporting a range of projects, including one that is helping thousands of farmers remain resilient and grow crops despite the lack of rain. This year, at least 40 per cent of farmers have suffered total crop losses due to the El Niño-induced drought, the worst on record.
In Zimbabwe, where many farmers are rain-fed, the lack of adequate infrastructure, pipelines and canals is hampering their efforts to grow crops. An estimated six million people could be food insecure during the 2024-25 lean season (January to March).
The Revitalizing Smallholder Irrigation Programme, or RIP, seeks to restore irrigation systems across Zimbabwe, benefiting more than 27,000 rural households. The project, funded by IFAD and the Zimbabwean government, aims to improve climate resilience and food security.
IFAD President Alvaro Lario highlights the importance of smallholder farmers in these international discussions, considering that they produce 40% of the world’s food, and 60% in Africa. Investing in these farmers is crucial to safeguarding global food security.
At COP16 in Riyadh, IFAD will highlight the consequences of underinvestment in food security, poverty reduction and stability. Indeed, food production by smallholder farmers is essential for the economic stability of many developing countries, where agriculture plays a crucial role in GDP.
Beyond the human and economic costs, land degradation and climate change could force up to 700 million people to migrate by 2050. It is imperative to act now to support smallholder farmers and protect our planet for future generations.