Shanxi Poverty Alleviation Project, China
Case Study C0221
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| Date | 2003 |
| Agency | World Bank |
| Donor/support agency | International Development Association (IDA) |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | China |
| Locality | Yuncheng and Luliang Prefectures in Shanxi Province |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Promote a more sustainable use of natural resources |
| Poverty reduction goals | Raise incomes for about 3 million poor people living in Yuncheng and Luliang Prefectures in Shanxi Province |
Summary
The Shanxi Poverty Alleviation Project was implemented by the World Bank in Shanxi province, north-central China, from 1996 to 2001. The project's main objective was to alleviate poverty in the 20 poorest counties of Yuncheng and Luliang Prefectures in Shanxi Province. In order to achieve its objective, the project included a range of activities like rehabilitation of an existing irrigation system, improvements of rural roads and construction of village water supplies, land development, expansion of livestock raising and horticulture, and expansion of primary agricultural processing capacity. More specifically, the project included the following components: 1) construction of a new pumping complex in Yuncheng and provision of 14 floating pumps at the existing station at Zuncun; 2) improvement and expansion of Yuncheng irrigation system; 3) river beach development; 4) construction of village water supplies in Yuncheng and Luliang; 5) improvement of existing rural roads; 6) soil and water conservation works in Luliang; 7) expansion of horticulture; 8) expansion of livestock raising by individual farmers; 9) expansion and improvement of agricultural processing facilities; 10) support of the All China Women's Federation (ACWF); and 11) facilities for project management and training.
Conservation impact
The environmental interventions undertaken in the Shanxi province have resulted in substantial watershed and irrigation improvements, which in turn have led to increases in crop yields, and expansion of livestock and horticulture.
Poverty reduction impact
In the period between 1995 and 1999, per capita incomes increased from 620 yuan to 1377 yuan in villages involved in the irrigation component of the project, and from 468 to 699 yuan in villages involved in the rehabilitation component of the project. In contrast, per capita incomes in non-project villages declined to 354 yuan, even though they had been slightly higher than project village incomes at the beginning. Overall, it is estimated that the number of households living below the poverty line fell from 14.84% to 8.9% of the population between 1995 and 1999. Finally, significant improvements in nutritional levels were witnessed in project villages between 1995 and 2000.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of basic goods/services
Enhanced access to/availability of natural resources for local use
Reference 2
Bass, S., Reid, H., Satterthwaite, D., and Steele, P., 2005, "Reducing Poverty and Sustaining the Environment: The Politics of Local Engagement", Earthscan, London
Related records above this one:
- World Bank (Organisation O0145)