Dina Saleh is the Regional Director of the Near East, North Africa, and Europe Division at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – the only specialized global development institution exclusively focused on rural transformation. With more than 20 years of international experience, Dina has spearheaded agriculture and rural development initiatives across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia. She has also worked with both the private sector and international organizations like the UN, thereby gaining a unique perspective on development across fragile and conflict-affected regions.

We begin our conversation by exploring Dina’s journey, starting with her early life in Yemen and Kenya, where agriculture was intrinsic to her formative years through her family’s business in agricultural trade and her schooling. This sparked her passion for rural development and gave her firsthand insights into how food systems work, ultimately leading to her current role at IFAD. Dina’s reflections highlight the critical role of agriculture not only in feeding communities but also in building economic resilience in the most vulnerable regions.

We then move on to the multifaceted challenges of working in fragile states like Somalia and Sudan, where conflict, climate change, and the lack of infrastructure severely hinder agricultural productivity. We discuss how IFAD works closely with governments and local communities to build resilience in these areas by improving water management, restoring degraded lands, and ensuring food security through sustainable farming practices. Dina explains how IFAD’s approach is deeply rooted in community involvement, fostering local ownership of projects. She also discusses the delicate balance of working with both pastoralists and settled farmers, addressing conflicts over land and resources through innovative infrastructure solutions, as well as community-driven governance.

Our discussion further delves into gender dynamics Dina has encountered in her work. Dina shares a striking example from Sudan, where women were initially barred from engaging in agricultural development initiatives. Working with local leaders, IFAD was able to empower women to participate in economic activities like food processing and home-based production. These success stories underscore the importance of patience, cultural sensitivity, and sustained effort in achieving long-term development goals.

Tune in to hear more about the role of agriculture in poverty reduction and how organizations like IFAD are adapting their strategies to meet the complex and dynamic needs of fragile states!
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Dina Saleh
IFAD: [ Ссылка ]

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Mihaela Carstei, Paul M. Bisca, and Johan Bjurman Bergman co-host F-World: The Fragility Podcast.
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Music: "Tornado" by Wintergatan. Many thanks to Wintergartan for allowing us to use their wonderful music! This track can be downloaded for free at www.wintergatan.net.
Video editing by: Alex Mitran - find Alex on Facebook (facebook.com/alexmmitran), X (x.com/alexmmitran), or LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/alexmmitran)

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Updated approach to IFAD engagement in fragile situations
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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:08 Dina’s story
00:03:19 Subsistence farming & the shift to commercialization
00:06:11 The roots of fragility in Yemen
00:08:35 Agriculture as a path to poverty reduction
00:12:19 Defining food systems
00:13:49 IFAD’s approach to nutrition in rural communities
00:16:18 What makes food systems fragile or resilient
00:18:12 Key trends in agriculture – climate, conflict, inflation
00:20:00 What is IFAD?
00:23:26 IFAD in Somalia – Water management & conflict mediation
00:28:44 Investment tools – Loans, grants, & private sector engagement
00:31:18 IFAD’s bond issuance and expanded financial instruments
00:33:15 How IFAD’s diverse financing instruments help vulnerable populations
00:35:30 Role of technology in helping farmers
00:39:20 IFAD’s principles for engagement in fragile contexts
00:45:20 Balancing crisis response & prevention
00:49:29 Measuring impact & results in fragile states
00:52:58 Working in conflict zones
00:56:15 Real-life challenges in fragile communities
00:59:45 Gender-specific challenges in rural development
01:03:30 Development misconceptions – Lessons from Sudan
01:08:19 Food self-sufficiency vs. trade
01:12:02 Fair trade & value for farmers
01:14:36 Water - food - energy nexus
01:18:05 Obstacles to coordination in water-food-energy development projects
01:20:15 Role of fertilizer
01:22:28 Hope for the future
01:25:27 Wrap-up

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