WASHINGTON, May 4, 2017 – The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today approved $32.80 million to improve rural livelihoods, reduce deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practice in the Eastern Province of Zambia.
An estimated 214,955 people will directly benefit from this project, and of these, at least 30 percent will be female. The key beneficiaries are people in rural communities located in the nine districts–Chipata, Lundazi, Mambwe, Petauke, Katete, Sinda, Chidazi, Vubwi, Nyimba–of the Eastern Province. The project will also support capacity-strengthening activities that will emphasize multisector coordination and transition to low carbon development.
“The project will create an enabling environment for Zambia to benefit from future emissions reduction payments, through a BioCarbon Fund,” said Ina Ruthenberg, World Bank Country Manager for Zambia.
The majority of people in Eastern Province live in rural areas with their livelihoods dependent on agriculture and natural resources, which leads to unsustainable farming practices. “The project specifically targets adoption of climate-smart technologies by smallholders, increasing the productivity and climate benefits they receive from these technologies,” said Ademola Braimoh, Coordinator, Climate Smart Agriculture for Africa region.
The Zambia Integrated Forest Landscape project funds include $17 million International Development Association (IDA) credit, a Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant of $8.05 million, and a BioCarbon Fund (BioCF) grant of $7.75 million.
