NRDP MINAS GERAIS

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With the Tenth Northeast Rural Development Program-Minas Gerais Project, the Government of Brazil hopes to (a) increase agricultural production and productivity; (b) generate income and employment opportunities for low-income rural families; (c) promote water resource development and technology generation and diffusion to decrease small farmers' vulnerability to recurring droughts; (d) increase community participation in all phases of the development process; and (e) strengthen the State of Minas Gerais' capacity to provide efficient agricultural services to small farmers. To that end, the project involves several components including construction of two state-managed irrigation schemes totalling 2,840 ha and benefitting 750 farm families; studies for possible future irrigation projects; construction or rehabilitation of about 170 simple rural water supply systems; and adaptive agricultural research and basic seed production. In addition, the project provides for extension services to about 38,000 small farmers; investment credit for about 12,000 farms including 3,250 irrigated farms; marketing support services for private traders and small farmers; and funding for project administration; and training.