18 February 2011: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will provide loans and grants worth US$28 million to support a US$73 million project to reduce poverty in dry areas of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The “Integrated Livestock Development Project” will focus on communities engaged in sheep, cattle and buffalo raising, and associated industries. Its objective is to decrease farmers’ vulnerability to climatic conditions and water availability, market fluctuations and underdevelopment of value-added products. It will focus on the development of small enterprises, community-based associations, and microfinance services to result in sustainable increases in the incomes of poor rural populations. The project aims to benefit approximately 310,000 households. [IFAD Press Release]