Project Detail

Restoration of degraded lands using sustainable agricultural methods by Foundation for Strengthening Human Skills.

Restoration of degraded lands using sustainable agricultural methods. Demarcation of forest boundaries, planting nurseries and use of soil conservation techniques to minimize soil erotion.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Foundation for Strengthening Human Skills

Country:

Sri lanka

Area Of Work:

Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

OP4 - Y1 (Jul 07-Jun08)

Grant Amount:

US$ 19,868.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 3,339.50

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 5,316.20

Project Number:

SRL/SGP/OP4Year1/CORE/08/03

Start Date:

7/2008

End Date:

3/2010

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Notable Community Participation

Despite the initial reluctance of the people to give up their traditional methods of agriculture like slash and burn the project was successful in motivating and mobilizing the community to adopt environment conservation practices . In order to generate participation and commitment they brought in all the stakeholders of the community into a common forum and encouraged open discussions . These discussion were very interactive with ample space given to high light and priorities the burning issues in the community and to come up with possible solutions. An action committee comprising 20 community leaders selected from already existing small groups was formed and regular meetings were held to discuss problems and future plans

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Local community participation will take leading role of the entire project.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

One hundred youths will give their hands during restoration of the reservation. Possible link with the Small TEA holder?s development authority and veterinary dip, We were funded by CEPA for livelihood development We have submitted PP to WUSK.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Planned to conduct three public awareness campaigns, dispensing pamphlets and exposure visits by the students, and other organizations Ex: National Youth services council

Capacity - Building Component

Planned to enhance the knowledge of the community as well as organizational staff by conducting awareness, trainings and exposure visits

Policy Impact

Sustainable environmental practices (Community) and sustainable solutions for environmental issues (organization)

Project sustainability

The herbs cultivated under the project are usually used for western food preparations in tourist hotels. and with the envisaged boom in tourism it could be profitable venture which could contribute towards the financial sustainability of the project . The project has been successful in changing the attitudes of farmers to shift to organic farming, mixed cropping and agro forestry practices .Use of carbonic fertilizer has reduced production cost and soil conservation methods has effectively addressed the short and long term environmental issues which were affecting the community . Village youth have been appointed to monitor activities and the project team continues to monitor activities during their monthly visits to the area to collect the herbs.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project introduced herb cultivation for preparation of food and providing a Herb Dryer as a profitable venture as there is a good demand for these herbs from the tourist hotels .Dairying and Bee keeping was also introduced to the farmers as an additional income generating activity

Gender Focus

Women actively engaged in the agricultural activities and new methods introduced by the project. They played a major role in improving the home gardens with mixed cropping and use of compost .

Project Results

- The reservation lands are demarcated and marked with concrete posts
- Fruit and timber trees planted under the project are thriving well and there is visible evidence of flourishing organic vegetable cultivation
- 58 acres of land restored with stone bunds
- The project has completed 592 meters of mechanical soil conservation devises and 3298 meters of live hedges and soil conserved with fencing
- 75% of the farmers have live hedges on their lands and 30 % of them have planted 1498 sq meters of grass hedges to serve as animal fodder.
- 18 of the 20 encroachers living in the water shed area are using agro forestry and mixed cropping methods in their plots of 5- 25 perches and earning good incomes by selling their produce of fruits and vegetables
- 40 farmers have reduced their production costs by using carbonic instead of chemical fertilizer
- The farmers claim that due to the use of compost there is moisture in the soil is not lost even in the dry season
- 10 ponds were built in the area
- People have taken to cultivation of 16 herbs like Basil Ocsimum spp Oregano, Rosemary, Mint varieties Mentha spp sugar herb Stevia which has market value
- A dryer constructed under the project is being used to dry the herbs being collected regularly
- Home gardens products were exhibited in at the world environment day exhibition held in Colombo 4 - 6 June 2009

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