Enhancing resilience in rural areas

Project description

Title: Strengthening the resilience of the vulnerable rural population in eastern Paraguay (FortaleceRES II)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Paraguay
Leading executing agency: Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock)
Overall term: 2016 to 2023

Context

The rural population in eastern Paraguay is affected by the unequal distribution of wealth and land, limited opportunities for earning an income, and climate change. Paraguay is experiencing more irregular rainy periods, droughts, frosts and storms. Smallholder family farms do not have the necessary skills to overcome crises on their own. In addition, soil fertility is being reduced by the forms of agriculture and livestock farming that are in widespread use.

The rural population in eastern Paraguay does not have adequate access to public services such as social benefits, microinsurance, microloans or training opportunities to diversify their income sources, which would enhance their resilience.

Objective

The vulnerable rural population in eastern Paraguay is more resilient.

Approach

The project helps the agricultural, social and labour ministries to enhance the quality of their services and tailor them to the specific target group and situation. This improves the vulnerable population’s ability to respond to external shocks.

In-service training measures enhance the target group’s employability and reflects local demand from potential employers and self-employed people or entrepreneurs.

The project improves advisory services by developing and using teaching materials tailored to the target group. In addition, it encourages agricultural advisors and social workers to network and share their experience and knowledge. Digital learning and knowledge platforms are being developed for this purpose.

Last update: January 2022