JEDDAH — The problems of climate change, fluctuating rainfall, as well as conflicts and economic fragility are the most important challenges facing the agriculture sector in the member countries, and need a clear vision and joint efforts to overcome them, the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB) Dr. Bandar Hajjar stressed.

He made this statement at the inauguration of the “Agriculture Week” organized by the IDB Group for five days that started on March 19 at the IDB headquarters in Jeddah, with the participation of representatives of 19 member countries.

The IDB Group president underlined the importance of speeding up the completion of agricultural projects financed by the Bank during the predetermined timeframe. He said that the “Agriculture Week” organized by the bank provides an opportunity for the representatives of participating member countries and the Bank’s competent authorities to identify implementation shortcomings and weaknesses and to consider the best ways to implement agricultural projects efficiently and in accordance with fixed timetables by focusing on project management practices.”

A number of local, regional and international experts representing international development banks, regional financial institutions, UN agencies, the private sector, civil society and research and academic institutions were invited. Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sustainable Development, professor of Sustainable Development at the Columbia School of International Affairs, professor of Health Policy and Management at the Columbia School of Public Health will participate in the Forum.

Participants discuss successful models that promote inclusive economic growth in rural areas, with emphasis on smallholder productivity development, agricultural project financing mechanism, bidding policies and procedures for these projects, as well as the major challenges to agricultural development and promotion of food security in member countries. Some innovative models will be reviewed and discussed that will help increase productivity and improve the agricultural projects’ management. — SG