Latest news with #IFAD
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nagaland's agri project FOCUS completed, to benefit 1.18L households
Dimapur: Nagaland's agriculture project to strengthen cultivation systems and improving farmers' incomes called — Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming System in the Northeast (FOCUS) — has successfully concluded, marking a significant milestone in the state's agricultural development. Speaking at the project completion workshop in Kohima on Tuesday, agriculture production commissioner and mission director of FOCUS, Wezope Kenye, said the success of the project was a result of collaborative efforts, shared vision, and the determination of all stakeholders. Kenye said FOCUS is the first externally aided project in Nagaland's agriculture sector, implemented in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). "This initiative represents a pioneering step in strengthening farming systems and improving agricultural incomes across the state, laying a strong foundation for further sectoral development and institutional growth," Kenye said. With over 70% of Nagaland's population dependent on agriculture, the project has played a transformative role in enhancing income opportunities, building climate resilience, and empowering farming communities to adapt and thrive. The project, which commenced on Jan 25, 2018, was originally scheduled to conclude by March 31, 2024. However, due to Covid-19-related challenges, an extension was required. "Despite setbacks, FOCUS successfully reached 645 villages across nine districts, directly benefiting approximately 1,18,000 households, covering nearly 89% of the target group," he said. The initiative led to the development of vital agricultural infrastructure, improved market access, and strengthened rural livelihoods, significantly boosting local economies. Kenye said the project invested in market access facilities, community seed banks, and logistical assets such as refrigerated vans, ensuring long-term support for farming communities. Country programme analyst, IFAD CO, Piyush Kanal, highlighted the activities and achievements of the project, reinforcing its impact on sustainable agriculture in Nagaland.
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Is cabin crew still a coveted career? These flight attendants prove so
During the 'Golden Age' of aviation, lasting throughout the 1920s to 1960s, there was a certain glamour associated with the flight attendant profession. Perhaps the novelty and perks contributed to this perception, but whatever it was, it certainly was enough to entice young women to join the glamorous world of stewardesses. ('Stewardess' was the common term used to refer to a female flight attendant at the time). To don the often-fashionable uniform, mingle among the rich and famous, and travel to exotic destinations – this was many a young woman's dream. Civil aviation has undergone significant changes throughout the decades, however, leading to the question of whether a cabin crew career is still one coveted in modern time. Puteri Arianna Balqish Megat Arizal Izram, 22, assures that it very much is. Unsurprisingly, it is still 'the glamour' that attracts some people's attention to the job, Arianna adds. Understandably so, because who wouldn't want to look as poised and be as well travelled as the women and men whose profession is celebrated globally every May? On May 31, 2015, the first International Flight Attendant Day (IFAD) was established, initiated by a Canadian cabin crew union. It has since expanded beyond the Canadian borders and is now celebrated worldwide. This year, a decade since its inaugural celebration, IFAD is observed with the theme, Legacy & Individuality: Wings Passed Down, Paths Made New. Arianna embodies the theme well. She is relatively new to the industry, having only become fit to fly as part of Malaysia Airlines' cabin crew in 2022, but this has long been her dream job, Arianna says. Her interest stems from being exposed to the aviation industry at a young age; her father is a long-serving pilot for the same airline. 'I used to follow my father on his flights,' Arianna explains, adding that seeing the cabin crew onboard inspired her to become one. Her enthusiasm in becoming part of the team is encouraging for the aviation industry, as it signals that the career continues to be an attractive option for the younger generations. Specifically, the Gen Z crowd, which currently encompasses youth in their early teens (who will be entering the workforce in a few years) to the late twenties. Arianna is far from the only Gen Z interested in the profession, as multiple comments and direct messages (DMs) on her social media would prove. 'It's still a thing,' she reassures. 'I get so many DMs of people asking me how to join or how to start their career as a cabin crew member.' Shazni is celebrating her 10th International Flight Attendant Day this year. Evolution of aviation To withstand the test of time, a profession must constantly evolve and continuously improve. The history of flight attendants exemplifies this. During the early 1900s, commercial aviation was still in its nascent stage. It would be another decade or so before the concept of 'stewards' aboard planes was introduced. Young men typically from the service industry, such as luxury hotel waiters or ship's boys, were hired to assist passengers in terms of luggage and safety. According to the United States' Federal Aviation Administration, it was only in 1930 that a woman named Ellen Church convinced Boeing Air Transport (now known as United Airlines) to give her a chance in the predominantly male profession. Church – a trained nurse, with a private pilot's license to boot – reasoned that nurses could provide better medical assistance to passengers. The planes' non-pressurised cabins at the time led to constant nausea and vomiting. Church's successful inclusion opened the door for more women to secure the stewardess role. After that the pendulum did swing too far to the other side for a time, when it became more accepted for stewardesses to do the job, while stewards were sidelined. It was only in the 1970s that it became the norm for both genders to be working in the field. The decade also saw the more gender-neutral term 'flight attendant' come into common use – flight attendants would collectively be referred to as cabin crew. However, it would take another four decades before the special day that is IFAD is designated to celebrate these hardworking women and men. Shazni is celebrating her 10th International Flight Attendant Day this year. Unsung heroes of the sky 'We just wish our colleagues (Happy IFAD),' Shazni Shazwani, 31, says with a laugh, referring to how they typically celebrate the day. As most cabin crew members would still be busy working on the day, huge celebrations aren't exactly feasible. With her 11 years of experience, 10 in commercial flights and one in Amal (Malaysia Airlines' Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage arm), Shazni has assimilated well to the cabin crew lifestyle. She says there are times she would have to celebrate festivities, like Hari Raya, away from home. But far from being down about it, she would instead happily celebrate with her fellow flight attendants. Forming a connection with each other is seamless for them. Because even if the cabin crew didn't know each other, the moment they were assigned to work together, they would 'just click', Shazni shares. She has also seen how the industry has changed over the years. There is a misconception among the public nowadays that flying is getting increasingly dangerous. But that really is only due to videos of flight incidents and mishaps being more easily accessible now, thanks to technological advancement and social media. Passengers can whip out their phones at any time to film seemingly out-of-the-ordinary occurrences. To Shazni, turbulences and aircraft issues are part and parcel of her job. There is that added sense of responsibility she feels when she is in her cabin crew uniform, she says. Safety becomes the priority. 'I become more aware of my surroundings,' Shazni says, adding that she will also 'think about the outcomes and what to provide in case of emergency'. Arianna agrees with Shazni's sentiments, sharing how on a recent flight, she herself had to maintain her composure during a particularly bad turbulence. 'The passengers were facing me, I had to just keep on smiling,' Arianna laughingly shares. She admits she was actually scared, but on the surface she remained composed to ensure that the passengers remained calm as well. Both of them lament the fact that there is also still this misconception of cabin crew being 'waitresses/waiters (or servers) in the sky'. These women and men, with their perfectly coiffed hair and brilliant smiles, do more than just serve passengers with 'coffee or tea?' – they silently work in the background making sure that everyone onboard stays comfortable and safe. Thankfully, because of IFAD, this fallacy is fading with time. As the celebration continues to shine the spotlight on these unsung heroes, cabin crew like Shazni and Arianna continue to pave the way for the future generations of more appreciated flight attendants.
Egypt Today
29-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Sisi reviews "Future of Egypt" projects, emphasizes strategic reserves and food security
Food market- Photo courtesy of IFAD Facebook page CAIRO – 29 May 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed the continuous pursuit of the state's plan to expand agricultural land, increase agricultural production – a vital pillar of the Egyptian economy – and achieve a breakthrough that ensures the state's ability to protect the food security of the Egyptian people. This directive came during a meeting held today by President El-Sisi with Major General Amir Sayed Ahmed, Advisor to the President for Urban Planning, and Colonel Bahaa El-Ghannam, Executive Director of the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Agency. Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, the official spokesperson for the Presidency, stated that President El-Sisi reviewed the latest developments in the projects of the Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Agency. These projects aim to provide high-quality agricultural products at affordable prices for citizens and achieve self-sufficiency in strategic commodities. The meeting also covered the status of the strategic reserves of various essential goods, ensuring that sufficient stocks are available to continuously meet citizens' needs. Ambassador El-Shenawy further indicated that the President was briefed on efforts to enhance the availability of strategic commodities, alongside projects launched to increase storage capacities for essential agricultural goods and meet the state's requirements. These projects include initiatives aimed at expanding strategic reserves, such as the grain storage silos project, which seeks to enhance year-round storage capabilities. President El-Sisi directed the provision of support mechanisms for these projects, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining strategic reserves of essential commodities for adequate periods and working to increase the volume of these reserves in coordination with relevant state entities.
LeMonde
17-05-2025
- General
- LeMonde
The number of people facing the risk of famine worldwide has doubled in a year
For the sixth consecutive year, the number of people facing the highest levels of acute food insecurity has been rising, while budgets for food aid and development are plummeting. The Global Report on Food Crises, which compiles data from several international agencies (the World Food Program, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), among others), which was published on Friday, May 16, presents a worrying panorama. In 2024, nearly 300 million people in 53 countries analyzed were facing a food crisis − an increase of 13.7 million compared to 2023. Taking into account the sheer numbers, as well as the prevalence, these figures are unprecedented, even in spite of a slightly more restricted number of countries analyzed compared to last year. "Hunger and malnutrition are spreading faster than our ability to respond," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres wrote in the preamble of the report. While other periodic assessments document chronic food insecurity across the planet, this particular report on food crises focuses on analyzing the most extreme hunger hotspots – often following a "shock" (an armed conflict, an economic crisis or a climatic event) – that require an emergency response. It relies on a food insecurity classification scale that distinguishes five levels before famine.
Morocco World
15-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
IFAD Issues $150 Million Bond to Bank Al-Maghrib to Fund Food Security Projects
Rabat – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Bank Al-Maghrib, Morocco's central bank, have renewed their partnership to help improve food security and support rural communities around the world. As part of this collaboration, IFAD issued a $150 million sustainable bond with a 10-year term, purchased by Bank Al-Maghrib. This is the second time the bank has invested in IFAD's bond program. The first partnership was in July 2024, when the bank invested €100 million to support IFAD's development efforts for 2025. 'Having the Bank Al Maghrib as a repeat investor makes us particularly proud,' said Natalia Toschi, Head of Funding at IFAD, in a press statement. 'It shows the value of long-term relationships for IFAD's global mission that is more than ever important to build a better and more stable world,' she added. The money raised will go towards IFAD's work to support rural communities by helping small-scale farmers improve their incomes, food security, and resilience. These investments will also support projects that promote sustainable development and fight poverty and hunger. Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President of IFAD's Country Operations Department, recalled the strong ties between Morocco and the organization: 'This renewed collaboration builds on IFAD's longstanding relationship with Morocco, a cornerstone of its portfolio for over four decades.' Brown added that Morocco stands out for the scale of its engagement and 'visionary leadership' in rural development, climate resilience, and agricultural transformation. Since 1979, IFAD and Morocco have invested more than $1.7 billion in 16 projects across the country, reaching over 700,000 rural households. The current projects, worth $250 million, are aligned with Morocco's 'Génération Green 2020–2030' strategy and focus on supporting women and young people in mountain regions, said IFAD in a statement. These initiatives are needed more than ever, as IFAD notes that 3 billion people live in rural areas in developing countries worldwide. Many of them are small-scale farmers who produce one-third of the world's food, yet still face poverty and hunger. Around 730 million people today suffer from hunger, nearly 1 in every 11 people. IFAD believes that investing in rural areas is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Tags: BAMeconomyfood security
