Small Farmer Services Project

closed

The project objectives are: (a) overcome constraints to increased small-farmer productivity and incomes and improved well-being; (b) enhance the institutional capacity and effectiveness of the Agricultural Development Institute and the Ministry of National Property; and (c) foster small-farmer access to commercial markets for their products and factors of production, and to publicly-sponsored agricultural development programs. The project will include: (a) technology transfer, involving both farm-oriented extension and home-centered assistance (family kitchen gardens, and water treatment, improved diets and cooking methods, awareness of education and health services); (b) complementary credit for working capital which is consistent with technology transfer initiatives; (c) land titling; (d) a rural communication system to improve the dissemination of information related to small farmer production and social services; and (e) institutional strengthening. The main benefits will be : (a) increased on-farm productivity and family incomes and improved welfare; (b) improved and more cost-effective agricultural services; (c) improvement in the credit-worthiness of subsistence farmers; and (d) better targeting of public services, including improvement of services to women farmers.