The Irish Forum for International Agricultural Development (IFIAD)[1] was established in early 2016 as a platform to share knowledge and good practices in agriculture for the benefit of international development.
The organisation has "sought to harness Ireland's knowledge in the agri-food sector for the benefit of overseas agricultural development programming and policy, and as a means of supporting Ireland’s development objectives".[citation needed] IFIAD was launched by then Minister of State for the Diaspora and Overseas Development Aid, Joe McHugh. It brings together representatives from the agri-food, agricultural research and the international development sectors.[2]
Founder members included Self Help Africa, Vita, Misean Cara, University of Galway, Teagasc, Irish Aid, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Concern Worldwide and Trócaire.[citation needed]
IFIAD's vision is to "transform the livelihoods of people living in poverty in the developing world through initiatives that support resilient sustainable agriculture, and increase food and nutrition security".[3]
IFIAD has hosted conferences to mark UN World Food Day since its inception. For instance, in 2017, its conference looked at the topic of One Health, the inter-connectivity of plant, animal, human and environmental health.