IFAD Impact Assessment - Adapting to Markets and Climate Change Project in Nicaragua (NICADAPTA)

The Nicaragua Adapting to Markets and Climate Change Project (NICADAPTA), implemented between 2014 and 2020 with support from IFAD and the Government of Nicaragua, aimed to improve the livelihoods of smallholder coffee and cocoa farmers by strengthening their market competitiveness and resilience to climate change. The project provided investment support, technical assistance and institutional strengthening to producer organizations. Based on data from 1,900 households collected in 2021, the impact assessment found improvements in access to water, post-harvest infrastructure, agricultural training, productive assets and food security. Project participants also became more resilient to climate-related shocks. However, the project showed limited effects on farming practices, productivity, yields, income and market access. The study recommends earlier capacity-building efforts and stronger market linkages in future interventions.