GUECKEDOU AGRIC.DEVT

closed

The Gueckedou Agricultural Development Project is a continuation of the pilot component of the IDA and AfDF financed Rice Development Project (Cr. 952-GUI). It aims at increasing the productivity of smallholders in food and cash crop production by expanding the scope and area of the first phase and introducing technical packages for coffee, groundnuts and cassava, and by strengthening the Gueckedou Prefectoral Directorate of Rural Development. These objectives will be achieved through: (a) providing extension services for 16,000 farm families involved in cultivation of swamp and upland rice as well as other rainfed and perennial crops; (b) providing training for Guinean staff and supporting agricultural research to test and introduce new technical packages; (c) strengthening the management and administration of the prefectoral service; (d) seed processing and distribution to farmers; (e) development of some 2,000 ha of swamp land through low cost irrigation works, and upgrading of 240km of rural roads together with their maintenance as well as maintenance of 260km of existing roads; (f) providing agricultural inputs to farmers through credit; and (g) technical assistance, consultant services and short and medium term fellowships for project staff.