Asia Pacific Farmers’ Programme (APFP)

OPEN Islamabad has recently signed an agreement with Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) to jointly work on the implementation of the Asia Pacific Farmers’ Programme (APFP) in Pakistan funded by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).

IFAD is an international financial institution and specialized United Nations agency based in Rome, the UN’s food and agriculture hub. Since 1978, IFAD has provided US$22.4 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached an estimated 512 million people.

IFAD has designed and funded APFP, with an implementation period of 5 years and regional coverage to 29 countries in the Asia Pacific, with aims to contribute to an enabling environment for rural poverty reduction through instrumental support to rural smallholders and their organizations. 

The APFP focuses on developing Farmer Organisations’ capacity to provide responsive, demand and market-driven services to members and small farmers, within the framework of improving the inclusion of small farmers in agribusiness-related productive and economic activities and as part of public-private producer partnerships. In parallel, the twin approach of pursuing strengthened policy engagement serves to ensure that the conditions and facilitating environment are in place to achieve the expected objectives and results. 

Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) is acting as Regional Implementing Agency (RIA) for the APFP in the Asia Pacific while ASF is acting as National Implementing Agency (NIA) for implementation of APFP in Pakistan. 

OPEN Islamabad will work with ASF to professionally capacitate farmer organizations for providing sustainable demand-driven services to their members by establishing public-private producer partnerships and engaging in effective policy dialogue for the improved livelihoods and incomes of smallholder farmers. The programme will enable smallholder farmers to gain a decent regular income and access to markets by availing long-term professional services, and business services from their organizations.

We are looking to hire a Policy Coordinator to help us with the execution of this program. Find details regarding the job opportunity and how to apply here.