Ifad approves $70m for climate-resilient agri project in Bangladesh

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad) has approved a new project worth $70 million to support rural communities in Bangladesh that are vulnerable to floods and droughts, helping them to adapt to environmental shocks and improve their livelihoods. 

The Climate Resilient Agriculture and Livelihood Enhancement Project (CRALEP) received formal approval at Ifad's 144th executive board session in Rome on 14 May. It will be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department, under the local government, rural development and cooperatives ministry, with oversight from the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the finance ministry.

With a target of reaching 1.34 million people across 33 upazilas in the haor (wetland) and the Barind region, which are frequently affected by floods, flash floods, and droughts, the CRALEP aims to improve climate-resilient infrastructure, expand income-generating opportunities, and strengthen the capacity of institutions to manage climate risks more effectively.

According to officials concerned, the project will channel investments into building 334 kilometres of climate-resilient village roads and 58 rural markets, significantly improving connectivity and access to essential services for remote communities. In 240 villages, it will also install key infrastructure such as walkways, tube-wells, and sanitation facilities to enhance daily living conditions and improve public health.

To help rural populations better withstand climate-related shocks, the CRALEP will develop 72 elevated platforms known as killas (forts) to provide shelter for livestock during floods. It will also introduce nature-based protection systems in 280 villages to reduce environmental risks. In addition, the project will strengthen early warning systems for flash floods and droughts through the Climate Resilient Local Infrastructure Centre (CReLIC) to support timely and community-based disaster response.

Youth empowerment is central to CRALEP's approach. The project will provide vocational skills training to 34,000 young people and offer entrepreneurship support to another 10,000, helping them build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the rural economy.

Valantine Achancho, Ifad country director for Bangladesh, said, "This project builds on the strong and longstanding collaboration between Ifad and the Government of Bangladesh. CRALEP takes that partnership further by strengthening community resilience and well-being through climate-resilient infrastructure and diversified livelihoods that integrate nature-based solutions and climate information services, focusing on rural women, men, and youth in some of the country's most climate-vulnerable and underserved areas.

"Meeting their needs requires coordinated and sustained efforts. Through this initiative, will contribute to building a more secure and dignified future for the rural population in Bangladesh."

In a letter to the finance adviser, Ifad President Alvaro Lario reaffirmed Ifad's strong partnership with Bangladesh, commending the country's excellent performance in implementing development projects.