Bingöl-Mus Rural Development Project

Bingöl-Mus Rural Development Project

The two provinces are among the poorest in the country. The population depends largely on agriculture. In the plains of Mus, the landlord system prevails, while small-scale subsistence farming is common in the mountainous areas of Bingöl. The social structure is tribal in origin and shows significant socio-economic inequalities.

The project had the aim of improving the production capacity and standards of living of the province’s poorest rural people. The objectives were to:

• increase agricultural production and reduce poverty in the least-developed areas
• expand rural employment opportunities and encourage individual and group initiatives among small-scale farmers and their households

The project supported the empowerment of women, who contribute a major share of labour to crop and livestock production but are among the most disadvantaged members of rural society.

Activities included support for small-scale irrigation schemes and improved rural water supply and roads. The project reorganized agricultural extension services and built village group centres. It promoted technical packages and improved livestock husbandry practices. Activities supported livestock development, rehabilitation of forest land and agricultural credit. The project also supported income-generating activities, especially for women, including bee-keeping and traditional carpet production.

Source: IFAD