Rehabilitation of Land and Planting Medicinal Herbs in Agez Village (SYR/OP3/2/06/09)

Project Details & Results

This project falls under the Land degradation focal area and addresses two major problems that cause a serious decrease in farmers' income: 1) Reduction of land productivity due to absence of sustainable land management, and over- or random usage of fertilizers. 2) Reduction of ground water level due to surface irrigation. These issues are addressed through rehabilitation of land, and encouraging women to plant medicinal herbs in order to improve the family income.

Capacity - Building Component
In spite of the farmers' strong experience in their land and environment, awareness is needed to achieve sustainable management of resources in order to provide livelihood now and for future generations.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
As a result to the project, the majority of village inhabitants will prosper from the improvement of land management due to: increase of productivity, reducing the need for fertilizers and chemicals, and participation of women in income-generating activities (cultivation of medicinal herbs)

Gender Focus
• Since the land is irrigated and women have an important role in field work, cultivation of medicinal herbs that are suitable to the area and easily marketed would lead to improved family income provided that women run this process. In order to reduce the work load and ease the management process, medicinal herbs are to be cultivated in small areas (around 5% of the total land area).

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Training aims at spreading awareness and experience on the issues of sustainable land management, water, and environment, and building the scientific capacities of the farmers.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms
a mico-fund will be establsihed tp provide farmers with zero-interest loans that can be used for two purposes:
• Improving the land quality such as using organic fertilizers
• Cultivating medicinal herbs in order to improve family income.

Project Results
number of participants / beneficiaries
female 13
male 49
children 150

capacity building
female 5
male 20

project results
improving soil quality through using organic fertilizers
expansion of using solar energy for domestic water heating through village fund
introducing medicinal plants as option for diversification of livelihood sources