Since its launch, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has been actively engaging Public Development Banks (PDBs) in promoting inclusive rural finance to support smallholders and rural enterprises. PDBs are key players in driving rural transformation and inclusive finance by channelling substantial resources into agriculture and food systems. This is within this context that IFAD launched in partnership with Agence Française de Développement (AFD) the PDB Platform for Green and Inclusive Food Systems in 2021. With 141 member PDBs from 96 countries, the platform promotes the exchange of best practices, facilitates peer-to-peer technical assistance, and builds capacity to transform food systems in a climate-resilient and inclusive manner. By focusing on both sustainability and inclusivity, the platform enables PDBs to mobilize additional expertise, accelerate innovation, and provide more effective support to rural populations, especially those at the last mile.
Co-organized by the Inclusive Rural Finance (IRF) Network , Agri-PDB and FARM-D (hosted by PARM), the webinar featured experts from the Platform and Finance In Common to discuss the role and challenges of PDBs in fostering inclusive rural finance and explore collaborations to address barriers such as high transaction costs, limited financial literacy, and climate-related risks in rural financial ecosystems.
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