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IFAD Chief Highlights Rainfall Risks Facing India’s Rural Economy
India grows a lot of food and can produce enough of many crops.
But many farms depend on rain, so poor rainfall can make life harder for farmers.
Managing and accessing water is another challenge.
IFAD leader Alvaro Lario says food security also means making healthy food affordable.
The article says many people in India could not afford a healthy diet in 2024.
IFAD has supported rural projects in India for nearly 50 years.
Its new plan aims to help about 3 million rural households prepare for climate and economic problems.
IFAD is also supporting rural livelihoods in India’s Northeast, including an organic spice-processing facility in Meghalaya.
IFAD President Alvaro Lario said dependence on seasonal rainfall and water-management challenges remain significant hurdles for India’s rural economy.
Rain-fed farming covers nearly 60% of India’s net sown area and produces about 40% of its food, according to the Agriculture Ministry.
The article reports that 40.4% of India’s population could not afford a healthy diet in 2024.
IFAD has invested nearly $1.5 billion in 37 projects in India, reaching more than 6 million rural households.
IFAD’s 2026–2033 strategy aims to reach around 3 million rural households and strengthen resilience to climate and economic shocks.
- Who
- Alvaro Lario, president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), discussed rural challenges and the agency’s work in India.
- What
- Lario highlighted rain dependence, water management, the cost of healthy diets, and IFAD’s investment and strategy for rural development.
- Where
- India, including a planned visit to Meghalaya and IFAD priority areas in the Northeast and Himalayan states.
- When
- The interview was published October 9, 2026; Lario was visiting India from October 7 to 11.
- Why
- To discuss rural resilience, food security, and IFAD’s partnership and investment priorities in India.
Key facts
- Rain-fed share of net sown area
- Nearly 60%
- Food produced by rain-fed agriculture
- Approximately 40% of India’s total food production
- Population unable to afford a healthy diet
- 40.4% in 2024, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
- IFAD investment in India
- Nearly $1.5 billion across 37 projects
- Rural households reached
- More than 6 million through IFAD’s investments
- New India strategy
- 2026–2033; aims to reach around 3 million rural households, or 13.2 million people
- Meghalaya spice facility
- Annual processing capacity above 10,000 metric tonnes; works with around 5,500 farmers
Quotes
Alvaro Lario
President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
“In the case of India, it has become self-sufficient in a lot of different crops, and I think that also makes it much more resilient. However, access to water and water management is a big issue, generally, because of the dependence on rain-fed agriculture.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“The result is that they earn more, and that a failed monsoon or a price shock no longer pushes them back into poverty.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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