Latin America and the Caribbean

IFAD’s presence in the region

IFAD has an effective portfolio of 40 programmes and projects in 24 countries in the region, for a total value of US$636.0 million in IFAD loans and US$510.0 million financed by other donors, borrower governments and beneficiaries. Key activities include a network of regional and subregional programmes that currently involve 14 IFAD-financed technical assistance grants. Such grants play a crucial role in IFAD’s strategy. They support projects, promote synergies and facilitate links with civil society. They also provide an innovative way of dealing with the development constraints facing the region, and serve as a tool to enable poor people to rise out of poverty.

The region as a whole is highly vulnerable to the devastating effects of natural disasters. The majority of agricultural producers work small plots, usually located in marginal, low-productivity areas, and this contributes to the deterioration of natural resources.

As the majority of the ‘structurally poor’ in rural areas live in indigenous communities, IFAD’s main approach is to support improved management of natural resources by strengthening indigenous organizations. This enables indigenous peoples to participate effectively in implementing natural resource protection programmes and develop new methods for cost-effective and sustainable natural resource management.

• Brazil: Sustainable Land Management in the Semi-Arid Sertão
• Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of: Combating Land Degradation in the Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Falcon and Lara States

 

Source: IFAD