Agricultural Value Chains Support Project-Extension

The overall objective of this project is to contribute to a sustainable improvement in the livelihoods of family farms in the country's central and northern groundnut basin and the western silvo-pastoral zone, through their incorporation into diversified, profitable value chains.

Specifically, the project aims to sustainably improve the food security and income of small-scale producers – including both farmers and herders – and create remunerative, sustainable jobs in rural communities. It focuses on expanding the access of smallholders and their organizations to effective services and production infrastructure, appropriate technologies and markets.

The project zone represents 27 per cent of the country's land area and encompasses 35 per cent of its population, with a large proportion of young people and women. The target group encompasses members of farmers' and herders' organizations and other economic actors, including micro- and small rural enterprises, market operators, and public and private structures providing products and services needed for development of the targeted value chains.

As part of the IFAD country programme, the project builds on the achievements of the ongoing agricultural Value Chains Support Project and previous IFAD-supported projects, including the Rural Microenterprise Support Project, the Agricultural Development Project in Matam, the Village Management and Development Project and the Village Organization and Management Project.