©IFAD/Sara Kouakou
Enabling poor rural people
to overcome poverty
in Guinea
Rural poverty in Guinea
Despite its great mineral wealth, Guinea is one of the poorest
countries in the world. The country ranks 178th of 187 countries
classified by the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) Human Development Index in 2011. More than half the
population lives below the poverty line, and about 20 per cent
live in extreme poverty.
Food insecurity and malnutrition among children are widespread. According to a
survey carried out by the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Food
Programme in 2008, 40 per cent of Guinean children below the age of five are
chronically malnourished.
In the 1990s, the country enjoyed a period of stability and economic growth, driven
mainly by mining and agriculture, which led to a marked improvement in poverty
levels. Since 2000, however, Guinea has been hit by a series of political, social and
governance crises, resulting in a deteriorating socio-economic situation. Incursions,
tensions and refugees have spilled over from troubled bordering countries Sierra
Leone, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire. This instability, combined with weak governance,
has discouraged investors.
The situation has caused serious consequences for the poorest and most vulnerable
Guineans. Rising food insecurity and poverty fuelled social tensions in the country from
2006 to 2008.
About 67 per cent of Guineans live in rural areas, and most practice subsistence farming
on very small plots. Poverty is especially marked in these areas, where about 63 per cent
of people are poor, compared with 30 per cent of the urban population.
Productivity is low because farmers have little access to information, new technologies,
basic infrastructure and rural financial services. And there are few opportunities for
income generation other than farming. Despite some progress made in improving
conditions for the rural population, there is still a huge discrepancy between the
availability of basic services – such as health care, education and safe drinking water –
in rural as opposed to urban areas.
The incidence of rural poverty varies considerably in different places, but Upper Guinea is
the poorest and one of the driest regions in the country. Here, the poverty rate reaches
more than 67 per cent. Large areas are covered by dry savannah, where livelihoods are
particularly precarious and basic services and infrastructure almost non-existent.
Women and young people are among the most vulnerable members of the rural
population. Women take on various roles within agriculture, from production and
processing to small-scale commerce – increasingly so as men and young people leave in
search of work elsewhere. But while they are legally recognized as equal to men, rural
women are still disadvantaged in many ways. They continue to be victims of social and
cultural discrimination. As a result, they have limited access to agricultural inputs,
technical advice, improved technologies, land ownership and decision-making.
Only 14 per cent of adult women are literate, compared with 46 per cent of men. This low
level of education among rural women directly affects their ability to access information,
agricultural extension services and other production needs. Where ownership or usage of
land is concerned, men habitually claim priority and hereditary rights.
Young people make up almost half the population of Guinea, forming a marginalized
group that is particularly vulnerable to poverty. They are severely affected by
unemployment and underemployment, which push them to leave rural areas and, in
some cases, into delinquency. Traditional subsistence farming offers little incentive for
rural youth to stay and pursue the same livelihoods as their parents.
Eradicating rural poverty in Guinea
In 2007, the Government of Guinea introduced a series of reforms and resolutions to
address the worsening poverty and social deterioration in the country. Among these were
the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and the National Policy on Agricultural
Development – Vision 2015, which focused on development of the crop and livestock
subsectors and the national food security strategy.
The PRSP, currently in its second phase (2007 to 2012), is designed to contribute to a
significant reduction in poverty through rural development, thereby helping to reverse
socio-economic decline. Its objectives are to:
• Improve governance and build institutional capacity
• Accelerate growth and create employment opportunities for all
• Increase access to quality social services
More recently, the government has adopted the National Agricultural Investment and
Food Security Plan (PNIASA), which runs from 2012 to 2016. PNIASA seeks to improve
agricultural productivity and food security, based on the following activities:
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• Sustainable development of rice production
• Diversification of agricultural production for greater food security
• Promotion of agricultural products for export and agribusiness
• Integration of sustainable natural resource management
• Strengthening of institutions supporting agriculture
PNIASA will introduce major reforms to rural development and the agriculture sector,
aiming to correct inadequacies in the sector’s legal and financial environment and to
foster agriculture as a major contributor to GDP. Through this plan, the government
intends to ensure food security in the country by 2014 and, thereafter, to become a food
exporter. The plan designates limited public sector resources for research and extension,
and seeks to attract private sector investments.
IFAD’s strategy in Guinea
IFAD began operations in Guinea in 1980. Since then, it has invested US$159.2 million
in 12 projects for a total project cost of US$343 million.
Projects: 12
In the period since 2000, the socio-economic and political situation in Guinea has
degenerated, and poor people have been particularly affected by the downturn. IFAD’s
operations have succeeded in increasing incomes and improving food security and
Total financing from IFAD:
US$159.2 million
Total cost: US$343.0 million
Directly benefiting: 496,450 households
living conditions for participants in its projects and programmes.
©SAMCERT - David Cuming
In October 2008, IFAD and the Government of Guinea approved the Country Strategic
Opportunities Programme (COSOP) for 2009 to 2014. The COSOP is aligned with the
strategic objectives of the government. Its overall goals are to help create a foundation
for sustainable development of the agricultural sector and build capacity for better
local governance.
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Specifically, the programme aims to:
• Strengthen local governance and increase the participation of rural poor people and
their associations in policy development and budget planning at the local and
national levels
• Improve small-scale producers’ access to services for more efficient production and
entry into competitive markets, while supporting farmers’ organizations and building
transparent value chains
• Ensure that marginalized groups, particularly women, gain access to microcredit
facilities adapted to their needs
In order to achieve these objectives, IFAD’s country programme consists of two main
thrusts, which will eventually guide all IFAD operations in the agricultural sector. The
first supports decentralization and local development, and the second supports the
development of agricultural value chains.
Given the number of poor people living in rural areas, meeting the poverty reduction
challenge in Guinea means accelerating the growth of agricultural value chains where
market opportunities exist, and focusing on rural value addition and income generation.
IFAD works to develop selected value chains by helping agricultural producers, small
entrepreneurs and artisans to organize their own associations. It also supports input
supply, marketing systems and agricultural research.
To improve access to rural financial services, IFAD helps consolidate existing financial
service associations based on the specific needs of the most vulnerable people, especially
women. The goals of this effort are to improve access to basic social services and
promote income-generating activities for vulnerable households.
IFAD supports strong farmers’
organizations
Guinea has many organizations and cooperatives that are active in agriculture, smallscale production and processing. These organizations are growing rapidly, and some are
well organized into dynamic federations and unions.
The National Confederation of Farmers’ Organizations of Guinea (CNOP-G) was
created in 2000. By early 2012, it comprised 15 federations with 191 federal unions and
6 non-federal unions, bringing together a total of 520,000 farmer members from all
agricultural subsectors. CNOP-G is now positioned as a key partner for the government
and other development partners engaged in agriculture. It represents, coordinates,
informs and mobilizes its members. It also defends their interests and engages in sector
policy dialogue.
In addition, the confederation includes a Collège de Femmes, which seeks to tap into
the enormous potential of women as players in value chain operations.
A major objective of IFAD’s 2009-2014 COSOP for Guinea is to support CNOP-G and
individual farmers’ organizations, helping them expand and provide better services that
will enable their members to improve their livelihoods and productivity. The new
orientation of IFAD’s work in Guinea recognizes and builds on the management
capacity of farmers’ organizations and their involvement in development projects. IFAD
sees them as partners who will gradually take responsibility for owning and managing
development projects, given the right support.
Farmers’ organizations are intimately familiar with the problems, issues and objectives
of small-scale producers. IFAD provides them with what they need to become more
effective: financial and technical assistance and training.
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Ongoing operations
Conakry
National Programme to Support
Agricultural Value Chain Actors
Support to Rural Development in
North Lower Guinea Project
Villages Communities Support Project
- Phase II
National Programme to Support Agricultural Value Chain
Actors (PNAAFA)
PNAAFA is a nationwide programme aimed at building the capacity of farmers’
Total cost: US$45.7 million
organizations and developing value chains for small-scale farmers in subsectors with
IFAD loan: US$13.3 million
good economic potential. The programme pays particular attention to involving
IFAD grants: US$17.8 million
women and young people in its activities. Youth constitute about 30 per cent of its
Cofinancing: OPEC Fund for International
Development (US$10.0 million)
target group.
This programme was created out of the restructuring of the IFAD-supported National
Duration: 2009-2016
Directly benefiting: 66,000 households
Programme to Support Agricultural Value Chain Actors in Guinée-Forestière, which
began operations in 2003. When IFAD’s work in Guinea was reoriented in line with
the new COSOP of 2008, the project was remodelled into PNAAFA with a new focus
on farmers’ organizations and a more participatory approach.
PNAAFA enables IFAD to partner with the National Confederation of Farmers’
Organizations of Guinea and help farmers’ organizations offer better services to their
members. PNAAFA’s great innovation is the fact that it is implemented by the farmers’
organizations themselves. The programme helps improve the structure of federations,
unions and other groupings of farmer organizations, provides capacity-building for
members and extends financial assistance for the development of specific value chains.
In Forest Guinea, the programme focuses on rice, oil palm and rubber; in Fouta
Djallon on potatoes, onions and maize; and in Upper Guinea on rice, yams and
onions. The programme extends to Lower Guinea starting in 2014.
Village Communities Support Project – Phase II (PACV II)
The project’s second phase was designed to consolidate the achievements of its first
Total cost: US$56.0 million
phase and strengthen local governance in 303 rural development communities
IFAD grant: US$10.0 million
throughout the country. The project particularly focuses on income generation for
Cofinancing: World Bank - IDA
(US$17.0 million)
women, young people and other marginalized groups.
Duration: 2008-2012
Project activities include:
• Identifying the main needs of rural communities in terms of infrastructure and
services, and managing the introduction of interventions to meet them
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• Financing and supervising the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of basic
community infrastructure
• Lending support to development activities and helping to nurture good governance
The project supports decentralization within the framework of the National
Programme for Rural Development. During its first phase, rural communities became
involved in the participatory process of decentralized development. They took over the
running of microprojects and helped make them sustainable, demonstrating their
ability to manage development themselves. The process reinforced social cohesion and
the role of those engaged in Rural Development Communities.
Implementation of the project brought together development practitioners, civil
society, vulnerable groups, workers, and small and medium-sized private enterprises
in dynamic collaboration. Each community drew up its own local development
and yearly investment plans. There was much debate over which microprojects
should be realized.
The goal of the project’s current phase is to further reinforce the capacity of people in
the poorest villages to drive their own development. It helps them identify their needs
and priorities, and enables them to participate in the implementation of projects
selected for funding.
Support to Rural Development in North Lower Guinea Project
(PADER-BGN)
Total cost: US$17.7 million
IFAD loan: US$14.2 million
Duration: 2005-2013
Directly benefiting: 24,000 households
This project is designed to contribute to better incomes and living conditions, and
increased food security, for the rural population in the northern region of Lower
Guinea. It helps build the capacity of farmers and their organizations in targeted areas,
and collaborates closely with the Lower Guinea Farmers’ Federation.
The goals of the project are to raise agricultural productivity through the introduction
of relevant technologies and to help diversify incomes in a sustainable manner.
Protection of the environment is at the forefront of project activities. The project is
also helping to establish a sustainable system of financial services adapted to the needs
of the rural population.
In addition, the project works to improve infrastructure for greater communication
with other regions, and to develop microprojects in forestry and agriculture. It provides
literacy, technical and business management training to ensure that beneficiaries are
able to create and maintain successful microenterprises.
By mid-2012, the project had successfully financed 746 microprojects, both
agricultural and non-agricultural. Since 2011, these microprojects have been oriented
towards agriculture, particularly improved rice production, in keeping with current
government policy.
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©IFAD/Roberto Faidutti
Completed operations
Programme for Participatory Rural
Development in Haute-Guinée (PPDR-HG)
Smallholder Development Project in North
Lower Guinea (PAPE-BGN)
Total cost: US$19.8 million
Total cost: US$25.5 million
IFAD loan: US$14.0 million
IFAD loan: US$15.2 million
Duration: 2001-2010
Cofinancing: OPEC Fund for International Development
(US$6.7 million)
Directly benefiting: 32,000 households
Duration: 1996-2003
Village Communities Support Project –
Phase I (PACV)
Total cost: US$38.7 million
IFAD loan: US$7.0 million
Directly benefiting: 14,200 households
Smallholder Development Project in the
Forest Region (PDPEF)
Cofinancing: World Bank/IDA (US$22.0 million); French Agency for
Development (US$3.8 million); African Development Foundation
(US$1.9 million)
Total cost: US$19.1 million
Duration: 1999-2005
Directly benefiting: 7,000 households
IFAD loan: US$13.8 million
Duration: 1994-2001
Directly benefiting: 280,000 households
Second Siguiri Rural Development Project
Fouta-Djalon Local Development and
Agricultural Rehabilitation Programme
(PRAADEL)
IFAD loan: US$12.5 million
Total cost: US$18.2 million
Duration: 1993-1997
IFAD loan: US$10.0 million
Directly benefiting: 12,000 households
Total cost: US$27.0 million
Cofinancing: African Development Fund (US$9.6 million)
Cofinancing: OPEC Fund for International Development
(US$4.4 million)
Duration: 1998-2008
Directly benefiting: 22,000 households
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Fouta-Djalon Agriculture Rehabilitation Project
(PRAFD)
Total cost: US$19.1 million
IFAD loan: US$14.6 million
Duration: 1990-1995
Directly benefiting: 17,250 households
Gueckedou Agricultural Development Project
Total cost: US$24.4 million
IFAD loan: US$5.0 million
Cofinancing: African Development Fund (US$6.3 million); World Bank/IDA
(US$6.6 million)
Duration: 1986-1991
Directly benefiting: 16,000 households
Siguiri Rural Development Project
Total cost: US$31.6 million
IFAD loan: US$12.5 million
Cofinancing: African Development Fund (US$9.1 million)
Duration: 1981-1992
Directly benefiting: 6,000 households
Building a povertyfree world
The International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD)
works with poor rural people to
enable them to grow and sell more
food, increase their incomes and
determine the direction of their own
lives. Since 1978, IFAD has invested
almost US$14 billion in grants and
low-interest loans to developing
countries through projects
empowering about 400 million
people to break out of poverty,
thereby helping to create vibrant rural
communities. IFAD is an international
financial institution and a specialized
UN agency based in Rome – the
United Nations’ food and agriculture
hub. It is a unique partnership of
168 members from the Organization
of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC), other developing
countries and the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD).
Contacts
Sara Kouakou
Country Programme Manager
IFAD
Via Paolo di Dono, 44
00142 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 54592868
Fax: +39 06 54593868
E-mail: [email protected]
Ibrahima Tanou Diallo
IFAD Country Programme Officer
UNDP Maison Commune
Corniche Sud, Coleah Lansébonyi
BP 222
Conakry, Guinea
Tel: +224 68109233
E-mail: [email protected]
For further information on rural poverty
in Guinea visit the Rural Poverty Portal:
http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org
©IFAD/Roberto Longo
Enabling poor rural people
to overcome poverty
International Fund for
Agricultural Development
Via Paolo di Dono, 44
00142 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39 06 54591
Fax: +39 06 5043463
E-mail: [email protected]
www.ifad.org
August 2012