The ‘Management of Natural Resources in the Chaco and High Valley Regions Project’ aims at reducing rural poverty, natural resource deterioration and desertification through the enhanced capacity of beneficiaries to significantly improve their economic standing and the value of their productive assets. Expected results from the project include improved natural resources and enhanced capacity of small farmers to manage them rationally and in a sustainable manner, and access to rural non-financial services. The project will also operate a contest/award scheme based on IFAD’s prior experiences in the highlands of Peru (e.g. MARENASS). Families, groups, communities and organizations will contest with others from similar ecological and/or productive environments, creating a competitive spirit with regard to environmental management and conservation.