IFDC Brochures Developing Agriculture from the Ground Up | Page 2

VISION
A world of healthy , prosperous people who are well-served by productive agricultural systems functioning in harmony with the environment .
MISSION STATEMENT
IFDC enables smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase agricultural productivity , generate economic growth , and practice environmental stewardship by enhancing their ability to manage mineral and organic fertilizers responsibly and participate profitably in input and output markets .
GLOBAL REACH
SNAPSHOT
The International Fertilizer Development Center ( IFDC ) is a public international organization based in Muscle Shoals , Alabama , USA , with more than 40 years of experience in agricultural research and implementing development projects . IFDC has implemented a range of long-term projects , short-term assessments and evaluations , and agricultural research activities in more than 100 nations in sub-Saharan Africa , Asia , Europe , and Latin America . Our work covers a wide spectrum : from investigating and promoting productivity-enhancing technologies and practices to fostering agricultural market development . Our goal is to empower farmers with tools and knowledge while strengthening input and output markets . This includes engaging policymakers in reforming and formulating a policy environment that enables the growth of private sector-driven agricultural systems that are sensitive to protecting the environment .
PIO STATUS
First proposed to the United Nations General Assembly in 1974 , IFDC was designated as a public international organization ( PIO ) in 1977 and receives widespread support , cooperation , and backing from the global community for which it was created . As such , IFDC as a non-profit organization is typically accorded favored procurement or contracting status by donors as compared to non-governmental organizations ( NGOs ). This status enhances IFDC ’ s contribution to development impact through accelerated project inception and access to international research , development , and best practices .
IFDC is a member of the Association of International Agricultural Research Centers ( AIARC ) and often collaborates with agricultural research centers that are affiliates of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research ( CGIAR ) as well as other research and development centers . Headquartered in the United States , IFDC has institutional-level presence in The Netherlands , Kenya , Ghana , and Bangladesh , with over 20 additional country project offices worldwide .