La ONAC “Organización Nacional Campesina” de Paraguay afilia a 11.142 personas con presencia en 12 departamentos del país. Su trabajo lo organiza en tres grandes áreas: Reforma Agraria Integral; cuyo eje es la lucha por la tierra, la Reactivación Productiva, buscando la transformación de los productos agrícolas y su comercialización, Acceso a los Servicios Básicos, como educación, salud, caminos, vivienda digna, seguridad alimenticia, agua potable y electrificación. El proyecto presentado a Agriterra para el año 2011 se centra en la realización de trabajo de cabildeo e incidencia política en las tres áreas de trabajo antes mencionada y espera tener como resultado a través del cabildeo e incidencia el acceso a los miembros en Paraguay a ser titulares de tierra, acceso a servicios básicos, la obtención de inversiones rurales que estimulen la producción y comercialización, y lucha por disminuir el contrabando de productos agrícolas desde el extranjera, para ello la ONAC prepara una propuesta política a nivel nacional y 10 propuestas políticas a nivel sub nacional entre otras actividades.

Strengthening of the partner organisation and capacity building Capacity building will be directly addressed in the associative business management of two experiences underway and in the improved farmers-interests management of ONAC, one of the country’s main campesino organisations.

Context: Paraguay ranks 91st on the Human Development Index. Per capita GDP is low at USD 1.223 (2004). 38% of the population is in a situation of poverty, and 15,5% in extreme poverty. Target group: 2500 campesinos (1350 men and 1150 women) and their families who live on 577 farms and are members of grass-roots organisations in four settlements in the Department of San Pedro. Farm size is from 7,5 to 10 ha. The campesinos have authorization to occupy the land from the National Institute of Rural Development and Land (Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Rural y de la Tierra - INDERT), the state institution charged with agrarian reform and rural development. The main activity is agriculture, with low diversification and no value added. They produce sesame, corn, cassava and sugar cane using traditional technology with no conservation practices, applying agrochemicals without technical guidance. Commercialisation is generally carried out at an individual level through bulkers and intermediaries that come through the settlements. Project objectives and expected results: As described in the Proposal section of this format. Main activities: Promotion, organisation and formation of producers and business organisations; technical, business and organisational development training Planning of production on 577 farms and seed capital for 12 associative productive undertakings, including eight initiatives of women and youth Monitoring and evaluation: measurable indicators, sources of data collection. The PME system will be implemented under the responsibility of ONAC’s permanent team, with advising from SCC and active participation of the campesinos in the settlements. Concerning access to infrastructure and basic services, advocacy and citizen participation mechanisms will be established on a permanent basis by the project’s conclusion. Funding for investment in and maintenance of infrastructure and basic services will be covered on one hand through State material contributions at the municipal, departmental and/or national level. Successful results can be generated through the execution of associative productive and value-added initiatives, which can contribute toward the campesinos’ capitalisation. This in turn will make it possible to expand the projects developed in terms of volumes, new undertakings, or the extension to new campesinos committees.