State reinforces investment in the semi-arid region.
Through the Pro-Semi-Arid Project, of the Secretariat of Rural Development (SDR), the State Government will invest approximately US$100 million to promote sustainable rural development, with productive inclusion, and the generation of employment and income; incentives for family farming are financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), of the United Nations (UN); the project will be launched by Governor Rui Costa this Monday in the municipality of Juazeiro.
Bahia 247 - The long-awaited life change for 70 families in rural Bahia is no longer a distant dream. Through the Pró-Semiárido Project, from the Secretariat of Rural Development (SDR), the State Government will invest around US$ 100 million to promote sustainable rural development, with productive inclusion, and the generation of employment and income. The incentive for family farming is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), of the United Nations (UN). The project will be launched by Governor Rui Costa, this Monday (11), in the municipality of Juazeiro.
Through this project, executed by the Company for Development and Regional Action (CAR), water supply systems and agro-industries will be built, and technical training and the work of qualified professionals in socio-productive cooperation networks will be provided, based on demands presented by rural communities. These actions are part of a set of commitments by the State in the pursuit of further progress in eradicating poverty in the semi-arid region of Bahia.
460 communities from 32 municipalities across five identity territories will be directly benefited. The selection criteria for these communities were based on the lowest Human Development Index (HDI), the density of properties (smaller than 20 hectares), and the number of Declarations of Eligibility for the National Program for Strengthening Family Farming (Pronaf) issued. The state secretary of Rural Development, Jerônimo Rodrigues, states that "the Pro-Semi-Arid Project is a continuation of actions from past governments [implemented] in municipalities of the [region] with low indicators, but with strong potential for economic development."
Municipalities covered
Of the 460 communities, 40 are quilombola communities, 67 are pastureland communities, 57 are rural settlements, and 296 are communities of family farmers. Beneficiaries will have access to a coordination structure in Salvador, support from the Setafs (Specialized Agricultural Extension Services) of Juazeiro, Jacobina, and Senhor do Bonfim, ten contracted local Ater (Technical Assistance and Rural Extension) entities, 25 agronomists, veterinarians, and social workers, 115 agricultural technicians, and 115 young people, aged 19 to 25, who will act as Rural Community Agents (ACR) in their localities.
Among the cities that will be included in the Pro-Semiárido project are Capim Grosso, Quixabeira, Várzea do Poço, Caem, Jacobina, Mirangaba, Ourolândia, Saúde, Serrolândia, Umburanas, Várzea Nova, Miguel Calmon, Andorinha, Antônio Gonçalves, Caldeirão Grande, Campo Formoso, Filadélfia, Jaguarari, Pindobaçu, Ponto Novo, Senhor do Bonfim, Itiúba, Queimadas, Casa Nova, Curaçá, Juazeiro, Remanso, Sento Sé, Sobradinho, Uauá, Campo Alegre de Lourdes and Pilão Arcado.