The World Bank has approved the Paraíba Sustainable Rural Development Project – Phase II to promote more inclusive and climate-resilient growth in rural areas of Paraíba, in Brazil’s Northeast. The project aims to help family farmers increase their incomes, strengthen their resilience to climate shocks, and gain improved access to infrastructure and essential rural services, supporting long-term development in vulnerable rural communities.
The operation includes US$50 million in World Bank financing, contributing to a total project value of US$67.13 million when counterpart funding and beneficiary contributions are included. By improving productivity, value addition, and market access for family farmers, the project is expected to generate more and better jobs in rural areas, both directly on farms and indirectly through processing, logistics, services, and rural infrastructure activities.
The project focuses on expanding access to water, reducing agroclimatic vulnerability, and strengthening links between farmers and markets. Investments in climate-smart production systems, renewable energy solutions, digital connectivity, environmental recovery, and rural infrastructure will help family farmers improve the quality and competitiveness of their products while creating employment opportunities along rural value chains.
Improved rural accessibility will play a key role in reducing isolation and climate-related disruptions by enhancing small roads and water crossings in areas exposed to floods and erosion. At the same time, technical assistance and capacity-building support will enable farmers to adopt climate-resilient technologies, improve business management, and strengthen producer organizations, with particular attention to women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and Quilombola communities.
Aligned with Paraíba’s 2024–2027 Multi-Year Plan and the World Bank’s Transforming Brazil’s Agrifood System program, the project will be implemented over six years across most municipalities in the state. Through stronger institutions, better rural connectivity, and climate-smart investments, the initiative is expected to unlock rural economic potential, support job creation, and improve living conditions for poor and extremely poor households in one of Brazil’s most climate-vulnerable regions.
