Project profile — Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP)

• Guyana (100.00%)

• Business And Other Services: Business support services and institutions (25010) (50.00%)
• Food crop production:
Food crop production (31161) (35.00%)
Agricultural co-operatives (31194) (15.00%)

• Gender equality (not targeted)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (not targeted)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

The goal of this project is to contribute to the reduction of rural poverty in coastal and near riverain regions by improving the production and marketing capacity of small farmers. Approximately 70 percent of Guyana's population lives in these regions and depends primarily on agriculture for income. The project aims to help small farmers increase their income through the establishment of the Small Farmer Livelihood Facility (SFLF). The SFLF consists of a technical cooperation component and a responsive fund. The purpose of the technical cooperation component is to provide direct technical assistance and training in production, marketing and capacity building to rural households, communities and producer networks. The purpose of the responsive fund is to finance efficient, sustainable and market-driven initiatives that help small farmer groups improve production, processing, marketing, and sales. CIDA's contribution represents 45% of the total project value.

N/A

Results achieved as of March 2011 include: 1415 farmers from 93 communities implemented 15 sub-projects in cash crop farming, enhancing yields by diversifying crops, adopting new technology, including shade-house farming and drip irrigation. Four regional farmers' networks and 15 inter-community groups were established. These identify and address small farmers' needs through participatory approaches. Technical training and extension services were delivered including results based management training, governance, record keeping, agro-processing and good agricultural practices. A marketing contact directory was compiled to assist farmers find new market linkages. 771 farmers increased their incomes by over 20%.

• Proactive disclosure