Enviro News Asia, New Delhi— The Government of India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a US$45.78 million financing agreement to strengthen climate-resilient and market-oriented agriculture in Mizoram.
The initiative, known as Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems (FOCUS 2.0), will expand sustainable agricultural practices across all 11 districts of Mizoram, targeting 150,000 beneficiaries over a six-year period from 2026 to 2032.
The programme aligns with Mizoram’s Bana Kaih policy, which promotes self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods, as well as national priorities for inclusive and climate-resilient growth in India.
According to Marc de Sousa-Shields, the project builds on the success of its first phase (2018–2024), during which participating farmers increased their incomes by 43 percent through integrated farming systems combining climate-smart agriculture, livestock support, and improved market access.
FOCUS 2.0 aims to transition smallholder farmers from subsistence agriculture to market-driven production. The programme will strengthen agricultural value chains by improving production, aggregation, processing, and market access, including the development of storage facilities, collection centers, and formal partnerships with agribusinesses.
The initiative will also support farmer producer organizations, self-help groups, and rural enterprises through financial assistance, capacity building, and enhanced digital inclusion. These efforts are expected to improve productivity, increase incomes, and strengthen resilience to climate risks such as extreme weather events.
Agriculture in Mizoram is characterized by small, fragmented landholdings and reliance on shifting cultivation, which has become less sustainable due to shorter farming cycles and declining yields. The programme will promote climate-resilient practices to address these challenges while reducing environmental degradation.
Over nearly five decades, International Fund for Agricultural Development and India have collaborated on 36 rural development projects worth US$4.6 billion, with IFAD contributing US$1.52 billion. Currently, the partnership includes four ongoing projects with total IFAD investments of US$325.6 million. (*)
