Over the last 20 years, the development focus in the semi-arid region of Paraíba has been on improving social infrastructure, and the productive activities of rural smallholders have been neglected as a result. Meanwhile, problems of worsening environmental degradation and desertification in the region have posed further challenges for development. And rural people, especially young women and men, lack formal education and technical training opportunities that would allow them to develop their productive and entrepreneurial potential.

The project is designed to help poor rural people living in the semi-arid region of Paraíba improve their livelihoods by developing the region’s rural economy. It will focus on:

• capacity-building
• improving smallholder productivity
• combating desertification and promoting sustainable natural resource management
• strengthening institutions and extension services.

The project will help promote employment and income generation through increased productivity. It will enhance the skills of young people to develop farming and off-farm activities, and help to increase local awareness and capacity needed to address environmental and desertification issues, and to farm and work productively in semi-arid conditions.

Portuguese version

Project website
 

Source: IFAD