The UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is providing nearly $7 million for the project in the South American country.

“As Guyana’s ability to compete in the international markets with its traditional national crops has declined, like sugar and rice, the project will help small farmers find alternative sources of income in non-traditional agricultural products such as root crops, vegetables, tropical fruits and spices, and livestock products,” IFAD said in a statement.

Some 5,200 poor rural households in six regions of the country will benefit from better access to financial and other capital services, as well as training in enterprise development, marketing, organizational and social development.

This is the third rural development and poverty eradication project that IFAD has funded in Guyana, for a total commitment of $22.2 million.