Sustainable Rural Development Project for the Semi-Arid Zones of Falcon and Lara States (PROSALAFA II)

This project builds on the first phase of IFAD’s interventions in the semi-arid zones of Falcon and Lara states, home to some of the country’s poorest communities. The strengths and weaknesses of a previous project, the Support Project for Small Producers in the Semi-Arid Zones of Falcon and Lara States, have been analysed and the lessons learned are applied in this intervention to improve the living conditions of poor rural people.

Project activities have been designed to strengthen the capacity of participants and their organizations, and to promote conservation of the natural resource base, with a special focus on soil and water conservation. The project works to transform agricultural and non-agricultural production into a sustainable economic activity. An important feature of this activity is the creation of production chains and clusters of agricultural products, livestock and traditional handicrafts. To support income-generating activities, the project provides rural communities with access to rural financial services at local, state and national levels. The project supports training, management and assistance services, and provides for feedback mechanisms.

Rural people participate through local councils for public planning instituted in 2002. Local development planning uses the micro-watershed as a territorial unit to stimulate the active participation of rural communities. Participants have an active role in planning and implementing micro-watershed soil and water conservation and local development.

Communal general assemblies and multi-community micro-watershed organizations provide people with opportunities for intensive participation in operations. The project gives special attention to eliminating gender inequalities. Pilot areas serve as models and as testing grounds for innovative features.
 

Source: IFAD