Establishment of an association as the project?s main focal point in the farming community. This is a prerequisite for several other project activities (establishment of nursery, establishment of financial support facilities for individual farmers, establishment of a marketing structure for Rosa Damascena products).The association will also be the beneficiary of assets and equipment at the end of the project as well as the repository of know-how generated by the project to the local community.
FIRDOS works through and with local communities. As such, members of the target community will be nominated by inhabitants of the village and selected based on background and experience to serve as a channel of communication between them and FIRDOS. This has already been done in the design phase of this proposed project. They will continue to play and active and key role in the implementation of the project and their capacity-building from the start is a priority for the sustainability of the intervention. Additionally, the project aims to empower women from the local community and foster their involvement in decision making and access to training by encouraging their membership in the Association.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
The project aims to provide micro-finance to Damascus Rose farmers for agricultural purposes. Additionally, micro-finance can be provided for the purchase of advanced distillation equipment if the production of rose water or rose oil is found to be economically feasible in the Market Study and covered by the grant.
Gender Focus
The project will also gravitate women to actively involve through the Association in all process and production of Damascus Rose. Women will play substantial role as well in the value addition practices of the final products.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Through the adoption of improved agricultural practices, the increase in areas of cultivated Damascus Rose, and improved processing and packaging methods the project aims to improve the incomes of local farmers in Marah, in addtion to creating additional employment opportuinities and reducing the need for migration.
Project Results
1. Botanical and genetic research
The researcher has conducted the botanical, genetic and biodiversity study for Damascus Rose in Marah active May 2010. The first part of this research was the Eco geographic study. the genetic research section, which was conducted on ICARDA labs and supported by ICARDA technicians and experts. The second genetic report was submitted by (29.5.2011) which titled "Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP)/Analysis of Genetic Relationships among Rosa Damascena. Mill in Syria". The results showed high level of diversity between the genotypes of Rosa damascena in Syria suggest that Syria could be considered as a center of genetic diversity for damask roses, which is great result we can build on in the future researches.
2. Damascus Rose products Registration research
Work on researching Damascus Roses' current registration status internationally and Identifying the procedure for further registration with the concerned entities is ongoing process. Damascus Rose registration status for DR plant and its products was identified in cooperation with the Department of property protection and the Geographical indicators GIs, Ministry of Economic and GCSAR. Property protection announcement was published in the official newspaper for DR plants, Rose water and Jam with the attachment of the specification description standard book for each product, work is going on for DR Juice. Work is continued on published and appropriately disseminated results
3. Market study:
Work with the Syrian Development Research Center "SDRC" oon conduction of a Market Study for Damascus Rose and its products have been done. The result of this study helped the association to make collective informed decision about the product development process, they would like to invest in and develop(Zhourat and Rose water).
Increasing Quantities of Damascus Rose Grown in Marah:
DR nursery grant: Two DR nurseries have been established and were able to meet the big demand of DR saplings to plant new areas in the surrounding area. Donations was received in the purpose of increasing the planting areas of Damascus Rose, 200,000 SP were used to buy 800 new saplings and plant about 65 donum (5 donum /per farmers , 1 donum requires 60 saplings for 4*4 planting distance). DR association has been contacted by Jordan association, sharing knowledge and experience field visit to Jordan has ended by the order of 15000 saplings which sent to Jordan to be planted there.
Tractor grant: Procedures of buying the Tractor from Al Furat Company in Aleppo were completed however the unrest situation in Aleppo prevented the the receipt of the Tractor.
DR Farmers Drip Irrigation grants:
Two groups of farmers have been benefitted from the grant of installing drip irrigation system for maximum of 15 donum each. The farmers? contribution is to build the water containers and plant the land with DR saplings. This project targets (53) farmer covered almost 530 donums, with total cost of 1830.000 SP paid by the Syria Trust of Development for the drip irrigation raw materials (pipes, filters,?). This project was done in cooperation with GCSR as in kind contribution in terms of consultants, topographic studies, equipments and cars, the technical studies and designs of drip irrigation system for all the benefited farmers.
Raising Awareness of Damascus Rose:
third harvesting day was accompanied with media campaign titled ? Al Ezz Day? on the 3st of June 2012. This event was arranged and covered by many media persons and reporters from different website and news channels, TV meetings and Radio coverage. The event contained the following activities:
? DR products Bazar, the products were made by the Al Marah women who attended all the product development workshops and the supervision of product development experts. Two experts were contracted to complete a series? of training?s sessions on product development. Various products, all hold the sample of DR was represented (Crousheh, embroidery, toys, DR juice and water?..etc)
? Traditional food was offered by the local community for all visitors which included Kushek, Saj, Jam and cheese)
? Field visit to DR farms and experience the Harvesting season yield.
Filming and broadcasting a short documentary film:
Activity 1.3.3 related to filming and broadcasting a short documentary on Damascus Rose production and processing has stopped due to the sudden disappear of the contracted expert who has done the first and the second field visit without being able to reach the raw materials. One raw film was obtained and was submitted needed to be continued by the communication team on the Syria Trust.
Developing the Damascus Rose Association:
Building the capacity of DR association and providing advance training on various major topics mainly, strategic planning, preparing work plan and budget, project management has been conducted during series of workshops (30.1.2012, 5.2.2012, 30.5.2012, 19.6.2012). The training covered various topics e.g management, active citizenship, microfinance and strategic planning.
Product Development activities
Gender campaign and communication training provided to women and upon the women needs focused on a series of product development training workshops. The training plan was built according to the training needs of the targeted beneficiaries. The products shared in many bazaars and events such as Souk Al Daiaa 1,2, Labena Al Nedaa and Four season bazaars. Product development also worked on packaging, branding and marketing of the DR association?s products. New package was designed for Rose water, and it was tested on small scale. Work need to be completed after the SGP approval for extension till July 2014.
Water Management Activities:
Promote Modernized Irrigation Techniques and set up a system for supplementary irrigation for local farmers, (Activities 2.3.1) was done by implementing drip irrigation project. This project was a grant of half the cost of drip irrigation system, which is the external part the pipes and accessories. The second half is the farmers? contribution by the cement water containers and DR saplings for the new planted farms. Two groups of 53 farmers have been benefited from this project. Drip irrigation expert from GCSAR had visited Al Marah many times for close follow up (31.5.2012 visit during the first group installation, and 12.12.2012 visit for the second group).
Business Development and Microfinance Activities:
Work has stated by encouraging women to continue working on their tradition handcraft activities, pilgrim hats, as a source of income for most women in Marah. In addition, the project has started working on developing new interventions by training women on new handcraft products and designs. Workshops sessions were hold on (7.2.2012, 25.2.2012, 1.4.2012, 20.5.2012, 9.6.2012, 12.6.2012, 30.6.2012). The training focused on increasing the women skills, designs and finishing techniques in order to increase the marketing opportunities and value. The income from selling these products had contributed to the participants? income.
Encouraging Community Cooperation & Problem Solving Initiatives:
ST x green team conducted interactive activities for children and students (9.6.2012); this event was a psychological support activity to ease the pressure resulted from the unrest situation in Syria.
Developing Post Harvest and Processing Techniques:
? Provide technical training on how to produce the DR products selected by the Association (Activity 3.4.1) benefiting from the market study result. Experts on distillation machines were contacted and field visit to Al Marah was arranged to provide technical advice on the best extracting machine design, taken into consideration the area production quantity and quality, effectiveness and efficiency of the selected device. The distillation copper two devices were bought by 220.000 SP, only 180.000SP was accounted from SGP account and 40.000 SP was offered from the Syria Trust as donation. After buying the two devices, the distillation two devices were tested by the association board of directors, and some adjustments were done accordingly. The same company had made the required adjustments with the cost of (38000) SP.
? Some equipment is needed to complete the installation of the distillation device such as water container, shoddier, pipes and pump. The budget is still available and these items can be bought before the harvesting season 2014 in order to make good use of the distillation devices after the donor approval. After buying the
? Benefiting from the experience of the family who produces DR products traditionally in Marah.
? Subsidize the purchase of necessary equipment for the Association to facilitate the production of rose products selected by the association (Activity 3.4.2). Some materials for packaging is crucial to help developing the market of DR products.
? According to the market study primarily results, the association members have chosen to work on producing dried DR buds as Zhorat and Rose water. Some materials were bought for packaging a sample for Rose water battles. The unrest situation in Syria restricted buying materials for packaging and has affected the DR products market such as the closure of many industrial companies, resources limitation, increased prices of materials and travel cost.
? Establish a brand name and packaging design for the Association Products (Activity 3.5.2). DR association logo is designed and this logo can be used for DR products.
? Work has been started by contracting consultant in the design, packaging and marketing of DR products. Many field visits and interviews with private stakeholders were conducted seeking new opportunities for marketing. Work on these activities is going on, and hopefully this effort will encourage more farmers to revive and plant new DR lands.
Work plan for next reporting period (April 2014- June 2014):
During the coming period from April 2014 to the end of June 2014 the end of this year harvesting day which is selected as closure ceremony for DR programme, the following activities should take place:
Increasing Quantities of Damascus Rose Grown in Marah:
? The two DR nurseries meet the increased demand for DR saplings. Donation of 200.000 SP caused saving in the budget, however the implementation has been completed (Activities 1.2.2)
? Purchase a tractor and water tank for the Association as an incentive for farmers to join the Association has been done. Procedures for the receipt of the Tractor will be continued.
Raising Awareness of Damascus Rose:
? Work related to filming the documentary will be continued by the Trust communication team. (Activity 1.3.3).
? Harvesting day will be arranged as closing ceremony for DR programme at the beginning of June 2014.
Developing the Damascus Rose Association:
? Continue with the mentioned trainings/workshops related to activity 3.1.2 on packaging, branding and marketing of Damascus Rose. Support the association planning for its activities and prepare work plan including project plans that enhance the farmers' income and living standard accordingly. More support for the association to fundraise for the future developmental projects is necessary, which will encourage more farmers to join the association. ST will keep follow up with the association even after the programme closure.
Business Development and Microfinance Activities:
? Continue work related to developing handcraft production by conducting one training in different handcraft production whereby interested women will be trained directly by other women that will provide them with the raw materials and purchase their production.
? Women enterprises are also an important component of the work, work has started by the handcraft training. This training will be followed by advanced training. Work on Damascus Rose product development is also concentrate on packaging, branding, design and marketing.
Developing Post Harvest and Processing Techniques:
? Subsidize the purchase of necessary equipment pipes and accessories to install the two copper devices for Rose water distillation.
? Subsidize the Association to facilitate the production of rose products selected by the association packaging, branding and marketing (Activity 3.4.2).
? Establishing a brand name, packaging designing and marketing for the Association and its Products (Activity 3.5.2)
