What is it?

This three-year project is a coordinated response of institutional delivery of technical assistance in agriculture and integrated rural development to selected CARICOM/OECS Member States.

What for?

The objective is to strengthen national and subregional capacity to alleviate current levels of rural poverty, in the context of a strategic framework to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. CARUTA addresses rural poverty in all its forms: access and land use, gender equality and equity, sustainable livelihoods and environment and natural resources management.

What activities CARUTA implement?

1. Governance: we promote and assist the consolidation of a consortium of Stakeholders on Rural Development at the CARICOM level (e.g. establishing knowledge and communication networks, publishing knowledge products including project studies and reports);
2. Policy: Implementation of studies (e.g. impact of EPA, renewable energy options for the small farmer, etc.) to reinforce the regional agenda for rural\agricultural development;
3. Capacity Building: training workshops and expert support (e.g. renewable energy options for small-scale farming, agro-processing, etc.).

Who is doing What?

UNDP is the executing agency in-charged of the implementation of the project in collaboration with IFAD (which provides 65% of the funding), CARICOM and OECS. The French Government also provides expert support and some funding through CIRAD (Agricultural Research Centre for International Development). The Unit is based in the UNDP offices in Barbados.