Newlands Agricultural Services Project

This project provided a range of agricultural support services in technology transfer, on-farm water management and credit to assist about 35,550 small-scale farming households who settled in the reclaimed newlands. An extensive training programme, including demonstrations and excursions, enabled the majority of farmers to address the difficult realities of farming and settling in the desert.

The intensity of summer cropping increased from 50 to 90 per cent and winter cropping from 65 to 95 per cent. Through extension advice, training and credit, the cropping pattern also shifted towards high-value crops. Field crops decreased from 69 to 48 per cent, and horticultural crops increased from 31 to 52 per cent. In addition, disposable farm incomes almost quadrupled.

Source: IFAD