Rural Development Project in the Niari, Bouenza and Lékoumou Departments

The overall objective is to increase the incomes and food security of rural poor people in vulnerable communities in the Niari, Bouenza and Lékoumou departments of south-east Congo. They include small-scale subsistence farmers who depend mainly on rainfed agriculture and forest products for their livelihood. Local producers have limited access to markets and resources, particularly financial resources, and scant opportunities to generate income.

The project emphasizes the participation of rural poor people in identifying the activities from which they will benefit, and it gives special attention to women and young people.

Specific objectives of the project include:

• improving sustainable access to markets and production zones
• supporting production, diversification and marketing of food crops and other agricultural products
• strengthening the capacities of farmers’ groups
• improving the access of small-scale farmers to rural financial services

Among the project’s aims are eliminating constraints to ensure small-scale farmers and traders better access to markets. The project will support existing rural financial systems that can provide rural poor people with the financial services they need to improve their living standards.

Project activities include:

• rehabilitating rural infrastructure, particularly feeder roads, and establishing a road maintenance system
• building the capacity of producers’ organizations for collection and group sale of farmers’ products and for identification of markets
• strengthening farmers’ organizations to help them market their products
• promoting high-value products and ensuring better-quality inputs, such as disease-resistant cuttings for cassava and improved seeds

Source: IFAD