Project Detail

Water Harvesting and Enhancing Sustainable Livelihood

The project entails acqusition of rain water harvesting pond, storage tanks and drip irrigation system to supply water for domestic and agricultural use. This will be combined with the establishment of a greenhouse in which will be planted new crops such as tomatoes and sweet peppers to provide sustainable livelihood and to begin the processi of diversifying the crops that are currently grown in the community.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Ewarton Watershed & Farmers Cooperative Friendly Society Limited

Country:

Jamaica

Area Of Work:

Community Based Adaptation
Community Based Adaptation

Operational Phase:

OP5 - Y2 (Jul 12 – Jun 13)

Grant Amount:

US$ 25,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 18,200.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 14,384.00

Project Number:

JAM/SIDS-CBA/13/04

Start Date:

8/2013

End Date:

8/2016

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Planning non gef grant

As part of the sustainability the project group indicated their desire to seek relevant partnerships i.e. donors, private sector or government funding for the expansion of the water storage capacity and the broadening of crops.

Capacity - Building Component

Based on the initial VRA the community is susceptible to the impacts of climate change and the access to water for irrigation is an on-going challenge for farming. AS part to the mitigation process the community will construct 2 water harvesting ponds to collect, treat and store water for farmers and will construct a greenhouse to prepare seedlings for planting.

Notable Community Participation

Community members will be engaged continuously throughout the project and all non technical labour will be supplemented by community volunteers to build a deep sense of community ownership. Youth represents one of the largest age cohorts in the community (31 percent) and has the highest percentages of unemployment. In this mostly semi-rural town youths were opportunities for employment outside of the agricultural sector are limited youths will be engaged in training and knowledge building sessions and will gain hands on experience by working alongside more experienced farmers. They will also be engaged in the use of social media to promote awareness of project activities and to share and capture project activities. Key partners like RADA, SDC

Project sustainability

Farming and by extension farm operations are viable livelihoods. With the construction of the two earth ponds and the solar pump, this will bring about a certain level of ownership among the farmers who are the ones who mostly depends on water. The group will continue to strengthen thier partnerships with RADA, SDC, NEPA and the Walkerswood Farmers Group.

Replication of project activities

The project could be replicated in other communities as the need for sustainable agricultural techniques and better land management is important to the preservation of the environment and the protection of ecosystems.

Gender Focus

The project design and management structure has ensured the participation of women with women playing a vital role in project decision making. Women due to their social role are affected differently by the effects of climate change and extreme climate events and must be sufficiently represented not only because they are more vulnerable but because they bring a different perspective and experiences. Their role will support the physical role of men during the project implementation and will enhance the project management and sustainability. Jamaican women in agriculture face a unique set of issues including balancing domestic work with farming activities, dealing with the physically laborious task of preparing the land and acquiring ownership of agricultural properties.

Policy Impact

The project does not plan to impact policy change.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project inception was a result of intensive communication between the cooperative, the community, RADA, JBI, Walkerswood Farmers Group, Mr. McFarlane, and other stakeholders. During the project the community will draw from the expertise of its key partners to create knowledge of best practices and a knowledge network on greenhouse technology

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project seeks to enhance the livelihoods of farmers of the Ewarton Watershed & Farmers Co-operative society by introducing a 100' x 20' greenhouse and rain-harvested water ponds supported by drip irrigation systems to increase the diversity and yield of crops; thereby, generating income. The project will reduce the risks from climate change by ensuring water security throughout the year, specifically during the dry season as the community will be able to store rainwater for use during the dry season.

Planning gef grant

There are no plans to scale up to a medium-sized GEF grant

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Throughout the project photos and documentation will be disseminated via social media for public viewing, specifically on the cooperative?s Facebook Page, through meeting minutes and though participation in community fun days and national celebrations.

Policy Influence

while not influencing policy the project supported the water policy. In that it addressed the critical issue of water shortage throughout the community and enhanced the sustainable livelihoods of farmers The project also brought greater awareness among community members on the use of renewable energy and drip irrigation, created a model of an environmentally friendly and profitable farmers group in order to demonstrate sustainable land management through the use of environmentally friendly farming practices, application of solar energy technology and generation of sustainable livelihoods to both the agricultural and environmental sectors of Jamaica.

Project Results

Project Achievements
Sustainable Urban and Rural Development:
? Over 310 person trained in Greenhouse Technology
? Students from 3 High Schools and 5 primary schools were included in the Greenhouse training which will ensure that the knowledge has been passed to future generations of farmers.
? 4 hectares of land has been maintained over the project period.

Sustainable Management & Use of Environmental & Natural Resources
? New technology and crops were introduced to farmers through protected agriculture
? 2 Natural Ponds approximately 80? x 80? x 8? were constructed and are at approximately 80% percent on average full capacity which has significantly reduced the impacts of water shortage for crop maintenance
? A drip irrigation system was installed which is used to control the amount and frequency of watering plants

Hazard Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change
? The construction of 2 earth ponds has allowed for the harvesting and storage of approximately 750,000 gallons of rainwater for use by farmers during drought period.
? The effects of climate change has resulted in less frequent rainfall which has had devastating effects to livelihoods in the past. Now farmers are able to manage the water from harvesting to be able to maintain and sustain livelihoods during periods of no rainfall and are therefore able to continue crop production during these times

During the final VRA session which was attended by executive members the group indicated that they had started to reap the results of the project. Water security which had been a contributing factor to delayed planting of crops until the rainy season was no more, the impacts to businesses and the school population had changed. Schools are now held for the entire day and businesses can operate normally. The support and guidance of the SGP secretariat and linkages formed with stakeholders gave the community the opportunity to manage a successful project and has paved the way to them being able to prepare project concepts to other donors. This in an effort to increase their water storage capacity and to obtain additional lands for crop expansion.

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Indicators

Biophysical

VRA1: Vulnerability to present climate change hazards 5

Biophysical

VRA3: Vulnerability to future, anticipated climate hazards 5

Biophysical

VRA5: Magnitude of barriers to adaptation 5

Biophysical

VRA6: Sustainability of project intervention 5

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs participated / involved in SGP project 8

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 20

Biophysical

Hectares of degraded land rest 1

Livehood

Number of individuals (gender diaggregated) who have benefited* from SGP project 310

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