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Nicaragua

10
Projects
US$ 334.07 million
Total Project Cost
US$ 148.24 million
Total IFAD financing

The Context

Despite sustained economic growth over the last decade, Nicaragua still has the lowest per capita income among Central American countries. Forty-four per cent of Nicaraguans live in poverty. This rises to 63 per cent in rural areas, with Indigenous communities particularly affected.

Smallholder farmers play a decisive role in the Nicaraguan agricultural sector, producing 80 per cent of grains and 65 per cent of livestock products. They also generate 56 per cent of agricultural exports, including coffee, meat, peanuts, sugar, beans and dairy products.

Agricultural development is hindered by a lack of infrastructure, a qualified workforce, basic services and transport. Moreover, Nicaragua is vulnerable to recurrent natural hazards which impact the agricultural sector.

The Strategy

IFAD promotes inclusive growth in agriculture in order to sustainably reduce poverty, generate employment and improve food security. Our projects focus on including small-scale farmers in larger-scale businesses and added value products.

Key activities include:

  • facilitating access to assets, markets and job opportunities;

  • increasing labour productivity by facilitating access to information, technology and services; and

  • improving environmental, fiscal and institutional sustainability.

Country Facts

Agriculture makes up a sixth of GDP and employs almost 30 per cent of the labour force.

Informal workers make up 75 per cent of the agricultural labour force.

35 per cent of Nicaraguans cannot afford a healthy diet, while 18 per cent of the population is facing hunger.

See the latest updates

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Experts

Enrique Hennings

MesoAmerica and the Caribbean Hub Head

[email protected] See bio
Gaetan Tanet

Programme Officer

[email protected]

Projects and Programmes

Country documents