Soil changes lives.

Providing solutions to create a food-secure, environmentally sustainable world. 

Young Ethiopian Woman Farmer Smiling
Meki Batu Ethiopia - Fruit and Vegetable Growers Cooperative

Our Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread around the world and disrupt operations for many organizations, IFDC is taking measures to prioritize the health and safety of our staff, their families, our project beneficiaries, and our partners.

IFDC’s Preparedness

Our Solutions

IFDC believes the key to global food security starts with the soil and ends at the supermarket. We strive to develop better fertilizer and production technologies, transfer these improved technologies to smallholder farmers, and connect these farmers to efficient and profitable markets. By working with strategic partners, we build local capacity and ensure sustainable impact. 

1,207

Demonstration Plots Established

549k

Farmers Applying Good Agricultural Practices

331

Public-Private Partnerships Formed

Explore Our Solutions

IFDC specializes in:

  • Soil and Fertilizer Research 
  • Market Systems Development 
  • Public-Private Partnerships 
  • Capacity Building and Training 
  • Environmental Stewardship 

Our Approach

Featured Projects

Our work showcases our Mission in Action: working together to scale sustainable solutions for soil and plant nutrition that benefit farmers, entrepreneurs, and the environment.

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Supporting Agricultural Productivity in Burundi (PAPAB)

PAPAB (2015-2019) aimed to sustainably increase food production in Burundi by promoting market-oriented, climate-resilient, and sustainable agricultural techniques, supported by targeted fertilizer subsidies. The project was funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Lead implementing partners included Alterra Wageningen University and Research, Oxfam Novib, and ZOA. More than 10 local organizations collaborated, […]

An instructor speaks to farmers in Benin.

Soil Fertility Stewardship Project (PAGRIS)

The Projet d’Appui pour une Gestion Responsable et Intégrée des Sols (PAGRIS) is a four-year project (March 2020 – February 2024) funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Burundi. PAGRIS seeks to achieve ecologically sustainable land management in Burundi and will work at three levels: plot, slope, and institutional. PAGRIS aims […]

BURUNDI_ISSD_Hands-Showing-Potatoes

Private Seed Sector Development (PSSD)

The Private Seed Sector Development (PSSD) project is a market systems project that aims to double the production and incomes of 108,000 farmer households in Burundi. The project works with private and public sector partners to promote the development of a private sector-led seed industry that is able to provide farmers with sustainable access to […]

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News and Events

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About Us

We are scientists, development professionals, and community members dedicated to scientific innovations that increase global food production, protect the environment, and empower smallholder farmers. Since 1974, we have worked in more than 100 countries to improve food security from right where it all starts: the soil.  

Learn more about IFDC
Four colleagues pose for a work photo

IFDC is comprised of a dynamic team of individuals working worldwide to help improve sustainability.

Meet Our Team

Solving Food Security Together

The U.S. Government’s global hunger and food security initiative, addressing the root causes of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition and transforming lives.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs works to create a just and sustainable world and works together with partners at home and abroad. 
With nearly a century of expertise, the OCP Group makes innovation central to the development of tailored and effective fertilizers for balanced soil fertilization.
The SDC aims to contribute to a world without poverty and in peace, for sustainable development.
USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience.
As a leading market systems practitioner, ACDI/VOCA addresses issues of food security, economic prosperity, and social inclusion through locally driven market solutions.
AFAP adds value to the agriculture value chains, through market driven business solutions, advisory and technical services, SME capacity building, and program management services
The overarching objective of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction.
The AU is guided by its vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”
The Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice)  is a leading pan-African rice research organization committed to improving livelihoods in Africa through strong science and effective partnerships. 
AGRA exists to fulfill the vision that Africa can feed itself and the world—transforming agriculture from a solitary struggle to survive to a business that thrives.
AgriProFocus brings together farmers, agribusinesses, civil society, knowledge institutes and governments to find new, sustainable ways of creating impact with business. 
Argus is an independent media organisation that produces price assessments and analysis of international energy and other commodity markets, and offers bespoke consulting services and industry-leading conferences.
The Government of Bangladesh.
BIO Alabama is the leading advocate for  Alabama’s bioeconomy. The organization represents the state on a national and international stage, promoting the intellectual and innovative capital that makes Alabama a premier place to invest, start, and grow in bioscience. 
BoP Innovation Center supports multinationals, SMEs and start-ups in creating and scaling inclusive business models that include the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) as consumers, distributors, producers, and  entrepreneurs.
CDI contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal of feeding nine billion people by 2050 in the domain of inclusive and sustainable food systems.
IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. 
IFA promotes the efficient and responsible production, distribution and use of plant nutrients.
Irish Aid’s aim is to reduce poverty, hunger and humanitarian need, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. By supporting long term development and providing humanitarian assistance in over eighty countries, on behalf of the Irish people, they are helping to build better futures for some of the world’s poorest communities.
The Islamic Development Bank is a multilateral development bank (MDB), working to improve the lives of those we serve by promoting social and economic development in Member countries and Muslim communities worldwide, delivering impact at scale.
With knowledge, science and technology development as its primary mission, the University seeks to bring forth a new generation of competent African leaders, develop sustainable partnerships, promote research, and share the values of social responsibility and sustainable development.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an innovative and independent U.S. foreign assistance agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty.
SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that makes a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty by helping them raise incomes and access basic services.
Solidaridad West Africa focuses on stimulating sustainable supply chains through innovations in production, marketing and trade relations, landscape management and policy enabling. In these efforts, Solidaridad simultaneously addresses food security, nutrition and community development.
Swisscontact promotes inclusive economic, social and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies.
TFI is the leading voice of the fertilizer industry, acting as an advocate for fair regulation and legislation, a consistent source for trusted information and data, a networking agent, and an outlet to publicize industry initiatives in safety and environmental stewardship. 
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.
Walmart.org focuses on creating opportunity for retail and related sectors, enhancing sustainability of supply chains, and strengthening communities to build resiliency.
WAFA aims to promote access to (availability, affordability, timing) and efficient use of quality and appropriate fertilizers among the farming population of West Africa.
With the mission to explore the potential of nature to improve quality of life, Wageningen University & Research is a research institution that focuses on the domain ‘healthy food and living conditions’. 
Our Partners