Brazil

Sustainable Land Management in the Semi-Arid Sertão

Context: The Sertão region of north-east Brazil covers an area of almost 1 million km². The Caatinga, the region’s predominant ecosystem, is a biodiversity hot spot that has an exceptional level of species endemism.

The Sertão is now directly exposed to land degradation, and an estimated 20 per cent of the region is already affected by desertification, threatening the livelihoods of about 15 million people.

Global benefits: Conservation of biodiversity of global significance and increased storage of greenhouse gases in productive and riparian systems.

Strategy: Pilot and demonstrate sustainable land management practices that are consistent with Brazil’s priorities and integrate a cross-sectoral approach into poverty reduction policies targeting rural families in the Sertão region.

IFAD-GEF synergies: The project is based on a highly integrated intervention designed to develop and promote sustainable land management practices. IFAD and GEF financing will be blended in order to address interrelated threats.

The IFAD intervention supports sustainable improvement of the incomes and living conditions of the rural population. GEF funding will complement ongoing activities by providing resources to finance ecosystem management activities and conservation of biodiversity of global significance. GEF involvement will also support education and community engagement efforts, participatory environmental planning and targeted research and technical training in sustainable land management.

Source: IFAD