Barani Village Development Project

In this semi-arid region, overgrazing has led to degradation of rangeland resources and crop failures are frequent as a result of unreliable rainfall. Women are particularly affected by inadequate access to basic facilities such as health care, schooling and clean drinking water. The goal of the project is to improve the livelihoods of smallholders and landless people in the project area.

A major aim of the project is to introduce irrigation and technologies suitable for low rainfall areas, to help increase crop yields and livestock productivity.  Development of basic infrastructure such as water supply and sanitation will particularly benefit women and help reduce their workload. Other project goals include:

• improving access to markets and social services
• introducing credit systems
• mobilizing communities and strengthening their capacity to help themselves

Source: IFAD