Nicaragua
Nicaragua
10
Projects
US$ 334.07 million
Total Project Cost
US$ 148.24 million
Total IFAD financing
191,380
Households impacted
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.
Country documents
Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
Experts
