Strengthening of the food security bank begun in Mbaiki, and the development of new food banks in four separate regions of the country, modeled on the Mbaiki food bank for farmers..
Realization of a farmer loan fund meant to assist 1,500 farmers participating in the five demonstration food banks to improve and increase their farm production.
A grant assistance program for 210 farm women widowed by HIV/AIDS so that they can start a small business to help their families survive.
Expansion of Caritas projects - rural water program to 30 more villages.
Expansion of a youth vocational training program in Bangui, with a special focus on agriculture.
Rehabilitation and improvement of river fishing as a source of protein.
Farmer Loan Fund: IPHD will select 1,500 farmers from Caritas= lists of farmers who are selected as candidates for credit by Caritas’ agronomists. The majority will be selected from the new food bank areas. Each loan request will be evaluated by IPHD. The assessment will include the value of the farm, the feasibility of the requested use of funds, farming experience and production of previous harvests, marketability of crops harvested, and ability of repayment. These are the criteria that Caritas will use for placing the individuals on its eligibility list. An agronomist will put forth the request, his findings, and recommendations to a loan fund committee chaired by the IPHD country director with representatives of Caritas and the Ministry of Agriculture. IPHD will have one of three votes, but will maintain the veto right to override a majority vote. The first food bank established by the FY 2002 program was successful in managing loans, and this experience will be shared in linking loans to the development of the new demonstration farm banks. IPHD developed a manual for loan fund management.
Grants Assistance Fund for HIV/AIDS Farmer Widows: IPHD will work with Caritas and the health facilities participating in Caritas’ HIV/AIDS education and information program to identify rural women with children who have lost their spouses to HIV/AIDS and who request assistance to set up a small income-generating activity to help their family survive. Emphasis will be given to widows involved in farming, food processing, and the marketing of agricultural products.
Rural Water Program: IPHD will select 30 villages from Caritas= list of over 150 villages requesting water. At least 100 families must reside in each village. Eleven villages were assisted in the FFP FY 2002 program.
Youth Training Project: IPHD selected the Salesian vocational training school in Bangui to receive monetization proceeds because its current budget does not enable it to expand its student capacity above 95 boys and girls. The plan is to enroll 115 students in FY 2006, and eventually 130 or more students. The Salesians select students based on low family income, aptitude, and an interview to determine their desire to learn a skill. IPHD will make the project available to all enrolled students, with a special focus on students enrolled in the agricultural training program.
Rehabilitation
& Improvement of River Fishing: IPHD will select 150
or more
fishing groups or cooperatives and 50 individual fishermen from
Caritas’ lists of fishermen and fishing groups from along the
Oubangui, Mbonou, Kotto and Loboye rivers who require help to
rehabilitate their livelihood following looting and destruction of
equipment during the 2002 coup, or to upgrade equipment to improve
fishing, increasing yields and income. Many fishermen have yet to
fully recover from the destruction and looting in 2002. By
increasing fish production, more protein will be available to a
protein-deficit population. Credit will be given to fishermen and
fishing groups based upon fishing experience, distance to markets,
development of a business plan, and commitment to receive technical
assistance from IPHD and Caritas.
