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India's Rural Revolution: How Women's Collectives Are Transforming Villages

India took center stage in Rome to share its success in rural development. The event highlighted how women's savings groups have grown into powerful economic forces. With a long-standing partnership worth billions, India and IFAD are boosting farmer resilience and rural incomes. This collaboration is now seen as a global model for community-led growth.

Key Points: India Showcases Rural Development and Women's Collectives at IFAD Event

  • India showcased its globally recognized model of women's collectives evolving into economic institutions
  • The India-IFAD partnership spans 48 years with 36 projects valued at $4.4 billion
  • Ongoing projects worth $459 million feature a high co-financing ratio showing strong ownership
  • Initiatives include market access for 45,000 rural enterprises in Meghalaya and climate resilience for farmers in J&K
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India highlights rural transformation, women's collectives at IFAD–India Day in Rome

India highlights its successful model of women's collectives and climate-resilient agriculture at the IFAD-India Day in Rome, showcasing a $4.4 billion partnership.

"IFAD has been a consistent and trusted partner in enabling India to scale innovative, equitable and sustainable rural livelihood models. - Anu Mathai, Additional Secretary, DEA"

New Delhi, Dec 12

India showcased its achievements in rural development, women's empowerment and climate‑resilient agriculture at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)–India Day event in Rome, an official statement said on Friday.

India's globally recognised model of women's collectives, which has evolved from small savings groups into robust economic institutions, was highlighted as a key example of community-driven transformation with global relevance, the Ministry of Finance said.

Over the past 48 years, India and IFAD have supported 36 rural development projects valued at $4.4 billion, including $1.5 billion contributed directly by IFAD, the statement said.

With six ongoing projects amounting to $459 million, India currently maintains a co-financing ratio of 2.65, significantly higher than global averages, reflecting India's strong ownership and confidence in the partnership, the Ministry said.

Flagship initiatives under the India-IFAD portfolio include enhanced market access for more than 45,000 rural enterprises in Meghalaya and expanded women's employability and income generation in Maharashtra.

Further, improved climate resilience for three lakh small and marginal farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, and income enhancement and migration reduction efforts in Uttarakhand were other notable collaborations.

IFAD President Alvaro Lario commended India's leadership in driving scalable, community-led rural transformation and noted that several India-IFAD initiatives have become global reference models.

Anu Mathai, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and India's Alternate Governor to IFAD, underlined that India's development cooperation with the organisation is grounded in shared values of inclusivity, sustainability and community-led growth.

The partnership is "anchored in a common vision that places rural communities at the heart of development," she said.

"IFAD has been a consistent and trusted partner in enabling India to scale innovative, equitable and sustainable rural livelihood models," she added.

As a founding member of IFAD and one of its largest contributors, India continues to play a leading role in South-South and Triangular Cooperation, leading rural institution-building and value-chain development, the statement noted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
$4.4 billion over 48 years is a significant investment. The high co-financing ratio shows India's commitment. Hope the benefits are reaching the grassroots effectively and not getting diluted by bureaucracy.
A
Ananya R
Climate resilience for farmers in J&K is crucial. With changing weather patterns, our farmers need all the support they can get. Glad to see specific projects being highlighted on a global stage.
S
Siddharth J
While the achievements are commendable, I hope there is more transparency in how these funds are utilized. We often hear about projects in statements, but ground reports from villages sometimes tell a different story about implementation gaps.
M
Michael C
Interesting read. The model of women's collectives evolving into economic institutions is a powerful concept with lessons for many developing nations. India's role in South-South cooperation is growing.
K
Kavya N
Reducing migration from Uttarakhand by enhancing local income is so important. We need to strengthen our villages to prevent the youth exodus to cities. More power to such initiatives! 🙏

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