Yunnan Agricultural and Rural Improvement Project

The objective of this project is to improve livelihoods and income-generating opportunities for poor and vulnerable groups through an integrated approach to development. The project is in line with the government's Five-Year Plan for 2011-2015, which calls for harmonized growth enabling poor populations to benefit from China's overall economic and social development.

The project area comprises 45 townships in nine counties of Yunnan Province. Project activities will give special priority to ethnic minorities and women, and to poor households whose members are economically active. Components of the project include:

• Community infrastructure improvements, such as the rehabilitation and development of village roads and water supply systems
• Productivity improvements in the form of enhanced crop, livestock and fishery production, expanded agricultural and livestock extension services, and other support
• Improvements in the value chain and market access, for example by upgrading roads and identifying, producing and marketing selected cash crops and livestock products.

This last component will also involve market studies and the formation of farmers' and producers' groups and cooperatives – as well as local training and capacity building, and development of market information services.