Introduction to the Collaborative Effort
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (FIDA), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Mexican government have pledged approximately $91 million to restore the Balsas River Basin, according to FIDA President Álvaro Lario. This investment will span six years and support various environmental, economic, and social development projects.
Project Details and Objectives
- Projects: The funds will finance diverse environmental projects, as well as economic and social development initiatives.
- Duration: The initial phase will last six years, with potential extensions of at least $45 million or another $91 million to further support the region’s development.
- Impact: The projects aim to help the local population generate economic and social development projects while contributing to ecological remediation.
Project Background and Leadership
The Balsas River Basin project is the first federal government initiative, led by Mexico’s National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR), to receive funding from the Green Climate Fund. This fund is a financial mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- Scope: The project covers 356 marginalized municipalities in Mexico, home to 10.7 million people across the states of Mexico, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Tlaxcala.
- Objectives: The project includes payment for ecosystem services to conserve forests and programs supporting the sustainable timber industry, as well as other forest products like resins, bark, and gum. These efforts aim to increase local community income by adding value to their products.
FIDA’s Support for Agribiomex and Rural Development
FIDA also backs the Agribiomex project, led by Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development. The project aims to conserve biodiversity and promote sustainable agricultural production.
- Goals: The project seeks to prevent deforestation related to livestock and agricultural expansion. By project completion, sustainable agricultural practices will be implemented on 900,000 hectares.
Global Context and Opportunities for Rural Communities
According to Álvaro Lario, global events like the Ukraine war and new US trade policies have prompted world leaders to reassess priorities, such as achieving food self-sufficiency. FIDA focuses on supporting smallholder farmers, empowering them to produce for both self-consumption and integration into national value chains, eventually reaching international markets.
- Mexican Focus: Lario highlighted the Mexican government’s emphasis on food self-sufficiency and sovereignty under President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s leadership.
- FIDA’s Role: Over 45 years, FIDA has channeled $500 million in Mexico for rural poverty and hunger elimination projects, collaborating with national policies to foster rural economic growth and climate resilience.
FIDA’s Contributions to Sustainable Rural Communities
FIDA’s projects aim to create jobs, income, and empower rural communities through sustainable resource management and other activities like self-consumption production. The ultimate goal is to establish sustainable rural communities, combat poverty and malnutrition, and counter climate change effects.
- Global Poverty Focus: 80% of global poverty is concentrated in rural areas.
- Climate Change Mitigation: FIDA supports forest restoration, payment for ecosystem services, and community fire brigades to address climate change impacts.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main project being funded? The Balsas River Basin restoration project, led by CONAFOR in collaboration with FIDA and GCF.
- How much funding is being allocated? Approximately $91 million, with potential extensions.
- What are the project’s objectives? Environmental restoration, economic development, and social improvement in the Balsas River Basin region.
- What is FIDA’s role in rural development? FIDA supports smallholder farmers, promotes sustainable agriculture, and collaborates with national policies to foster rural growth and climate resilience.
- How does FIDA address global challenges? By focusing on food self-sufficiency and supporting sustainable rural development, FIDA helps communities adapt to global events like the Ukraine war and new US trade policies.
