Project ID: 1027
Executive Board Document: EB-2001-72-R-16-Rev-1

Participatory Smallholder Agriculture and Artisanal Fisheries Development Programme

The programme will address the vulnerability and major constraints identified by the men and women of both sectors by improving their access to internal and external markets. It will strengthen the provision of rural-sector services (decentralized financial services, agricultural extension and coastal fisheries management) while empowering the beneficiaries to increase their access to these services and tailoring them to their specific needs. The programme will also provide support to the rural-sector restructuring process initiated by land distribution and privatization. The objective is to pave the way for the development of rural local councils with the power, methods and tools to undertake local development activities.

The beneficiaries comprise 8 000 families that received smallholder status in 1993 under the Land Privatization Programme, of which 30% are headed by women. A preliminary analysis of smallholder cash flows indicates an annual per capita income of USD 200. The programme will also target 3 000 artisanal fishery families consisting of about 2 200 fishermen and 3 000 women fish traders (palayes), with an estimated annual per capita income of USD 162. The total expected programme target group will consist of 58 000 people or 41% of the Sao Tomean population. The weighted average income of both sectors presently stands at USD 188 or 55% of the countrys estimated USD 340 GDP per capita.

Loan amount:

SDR 7.95 million (equivalent to approximately USD 9.97 million) on highly concessional terms

Total programme costs are estimated at USD 13.45 million, of which USD 1.45 million will be provided by French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), French Development Agency (AFD).

Cooperating Institution:

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)