The semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil has been experiencing periodic droughts and chronic water scarcity. The overall drought frequency, intensity and severity have increased over the past 36 years. The region is projected to experience a further temperature increase of between 0.5 and 2.0 °C from 2011 to 2040. This alarming increase in temperature will reduce agricultural crop productivity for smallholder farmers. 

This project will address these observed and projected climate impacts and will build the resilience of the most vulnerable farmers in Northeast Brazil, by transforming family farmers’ productive systems towards low-emission and climate-resilient agriculture. The project will increase access to water for agricultural production through solar irrigation, and support women, youth, and traditional communities to scale up other tested adaptation and mitigation measures in their agricultural activities.