The Road to the SDGs

PURPOSE X Many issues present significant challenges for agriculture-based MCs (those engaged in production of crops, livestock and poultry; apiculture; or fisheries and aquaculture), where the sector is the main contributor to the economy. These include: – Persistent extreme poverty – Malnutrition and hunger – Low agricultural productivity and an inability to meet increasing food demand, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa – Poor market access – Increasing food waste and food loss – Low levels of agricultural technology and limited rural infrastructure, such as access roads, storage facilities and reliable energy supply, especially in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa – Inadequate institutional and policy coordination. X Through its Agriculture and Rural Development Sector Policy, IsDB supports its MCs in their efforts to improve food security through rural and agricultural development for rural economic growth and employment generation. It does so by: – Commercialising smallholder agriculture – Developing agriculture value chains – Putting emphasis on private-sector participation. X IsDB’s 10-Year Strategy (10YS) identifies inclusiveness, connectivity and growth in the Islamic finance system as the main strategic corporate development objectives. The policy takes into account these objectives, targeting sustainable, resilient and equitable agriculture and rural development through the creation of viable and profitable agriculture value chains and promotion of innovative Islamic finance. X To achieve its objectives, the policy focuses on: – Alleviating poverty and enhancing food security – Enhancing public-private partnerships towards the overall aim of sustainable, inclusive and equitable agriculture and rural development – Creating rural employment opportunities in agriculture, mainly among women and youth, and the rural non-farming economy. METHOD X The policy: – Applies to all IsDB-financed projects, programmes and initiatives in the sector, providing a platform for synergies within IsDB to bring about the desired development impact while maximising efficiency – Enables IsDB to forge purposeful partnerships with development T he Agriculture and Rural Development Sector Policy provides strategic direction for investment by IsDB in the agricultural and rural development of its MCs Agriculture and rural development The policy supports projects and programmes that adopt an integrated approach to agriculture and rural development through improved access to basic services, infrastructure and economic opportunities [ 30 ] SDGs