EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Nkayi Folk Development Foundation is a community-based organization founded in 1994 with the aim of facilitating the development of communities in Nkayi District. It currently has a membership of 5000 drawn from 25 wards of Nkayi District. It has gained experience of mobilizing communities to spearhead development initiatives at the local level. The purpose of NFDF is to empower disadvantaged groups (such as school leavers, the poor and women) in local communities with knowledge and skills to develop sustainable livelihoods through the conservation and utilization of natural resources sustainable agriculture and income generating activities (IGAs).

The Foundation is seeking support to implement a project in Ngomabi South (ward 5), one of the poorest wards in Nkayi District. Ngomabi South is located 23km north of Nkayi District Office; it is along the Shangani River, a good source of water, fish and river sand for the community. The ward is home to the largest hardwood forests in the district. Livelihoods in the ward, in general are based on the exploitation of the natural resources found. The Mbazhe Pan Sanctuary, a unique wetland found in the ward draws tourists from many countries that come to see the diverse birdlife. In addition other natural resources include the ilala plam (used for a variety of household goods such as mats, baskets, among many others), hardwood forests which have led to the establishment of a saw mill within the community, In addition mopane worms are abundance and are an important source of protein at the household level as level as generating income through selling them to middlemen who distribute them throughout the country.

The women of Ngomabi utilize the ilala palm to make baskets and with financial support of a previous grant from GEFSGP the community constructed a production and marketing craft center. The Project will establish partnerships with Birdlife Zimbabwe to ensure that visitors coming to visit the Mbazhe Sanctuary will also visit the craft center to appreciate the indigenous skills in craft making as well as buying ilala craftwork.

The goal of the project is ?Reduction of biodiversity loss in Ngomambi South ward community through sustainable utilization of natural resources ? Specific objective of the project are:
(i) To promote propagation of ilala palm and conservation of indigenous Hardwood Forest.
(ii) To enhance knowledge and skills in conservation farming and permaculture design through ecological land use management to improve income base
(iii) To improve earnings from natural resource derived products.







1.0 ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND AND CAPACITY

Nkayi Folk Development Foundation (NFDF) is a community based membership organization with a total current membership of 5 000 drawn from the 25 wards of Nkayi district. The organization was founded in 1994 by the Nkayi community and has been in operation for the past 13 years. Over the years, NFDF has continued to grow and fine-tune its principal objectives and targets towards the development and achievement of sustainable livelihoods in Nkayi district. It is also registered with the Ministry of Higher Education as a Vocational Technical college to offer Building and ornamental Horticultural at NFC level and is also a trade-testing centre for Brick and Block laying.

NFDF has four departments, which employ staff that ensure the implementation of various programmes. The directorate consisting of the Programme Director and the Assistant Director lead the organisation. The agriculture department consists of a trainer and four garden workers. The agriculture trainer also manages the organization?s irrigated 2-hectare plot (the organization?s prime production unit). The agriculture department runs a one-year course and enrolls a maximum of 13 resident students a year. The outreach department employs a field officer and eight field workers.

Currently, NFDF has membership of people drawn from the 25 wards of Nkayi Rural District. The 25 wards are divided into 8 administrative regions for ease of managing development programmes.

An elected board of directors consisting of 8 members runs the organisation. The current board is made up of 5 women and 3 men. Apart from the 8 elected members there are 4 ex-officio members of whom 1 represents the RDC, one representing traditional leadership and the other being the programme director for NFDF. The board sets the policy directions for the organisation drawing from base of board. The constitution is the guiding document for the organisation. The organisation is run by an executive committee, which consists of 3 members of which 2 are women and one male. This committee ensures the implementation of the decisions of the board. It also ensures the smooth day-to-day running of the organization

The purpose of NFDF is to empower disadvantaged groups (such as school leavers, the poor and women) in local communities with knowledge and skills to develop sustainable livelihoods through the conservation and utilization of natural resources sustainable agriculture and income generating activities (IGAs). The foundation also aims to:

? To empower disadvantaged groups in local communities with the knowledge and skills to improve their livelihoods through sustainable utilization of natural resources and off farm IGAs.
? To strengthen community institutions concerns with environment and development with knowledge and skills to manage development in their areas.
? To promote gender equality and improve the status if women and men through various empowerment programmes

In the 13 years of its operations, the organisation demonstrated a commitment to community empowerment and at the same time gained invaluable experience in running community development programmes aimed at the poor and vulnerable groups in the areas of its operation. The programmes focused on three thematic areas namely Agricultural food security, livelihood enhancement, and environmental management.

Agricultural programmes included training, seed distribution and demonstrations on dry land farming, organic farming and livestock management. Livelihoods enhancement programmes focused on helping the disadvantaged groups to obtain knowledge and skills in starting and managing income generating activities


In 2004 NFDF received funding from GEFSGP for a project implemented in the same ward, to conserve and sustainably utilize ilala palm and construction of a production and marketing centre for ilala craft products. Project beneficiaries were trained in quality weaving and basket frame making. This project resulted in the planting of 4 hectares of ilala palm and the strengthening of project management structures through skills training. In this current proposal, the community would like to complete and fence the craft centre develop a marketing strategy and introduce wood energy saving stoves. In addition, the community intends to propagate the ilala palms and indigenous trees so as to ensure a sustainable supply of these vital resources.

NFDA has established partnership with MS Zimbabwe, HIVOS, Africa 2000 and CIDA. Local stakeholders included NRDC, AREX, Forestry Commission, ZFU, Ministry of Youth and Gender Development.


3.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT AND LINKAGES OR PROJECT TO NATIONAL PRIORITIES

3.1 Definition of the problem

Ngomabi ward is facing environmental challenges relating to the loss of biodiversity particularly ilala palm and hardwood timber due to unsustainable exploitation. Outsiders through logging for furniture making mainly exploit hardwood timber. The exploitation of the hardwood timber has reduced the availability of forest products such as Mopani worms, fire wood etc, which the community relies on. In addition it has reduced the potential contribution of these forests as carbon sinks which can mitigate against global warming.

The communities are heavily reliant on ilala as their source of livelihood yet it is being over exploited and has been declining over the years. The tanning of ilala has also caused the over exploitaion of such trees as (e.g. Ichena-Rhus Lancea and Umnyi ? Berchemia Zeyheri)as well as Umvimila (Kirkia acuminate), Ubhunzu (Gewia flavesens) and Umvagazi (Ptero-carpus angelonsis) whose bark is used to produce the tannin. There is a general lack of knowledge on the value of these natural resources to livelihood of the communities for a number of reasons including lack of knowledge of existing laws and by laws governing environment and natural resource management.

There is a misconception that there will always be a steady supply of wood for construction and fuel wood needs by the community leading to mismanagement of the indigenous forest. There is need to reduce deforestation that is caused by communities cutting down trees to meet these needs. Accordingly energy saving stoves will be introduced to reduce the dependence on hardwoods.

Ilala craftwork has great potential to bring income at household level thereby reducing levels of poverty currently prevailing, but this potential has not been met for a number of reasons. Firstly there is a problem of quality of these products, which fail to meet consumer preferences. Secondly there is the limited knowledge in marketing as buyers often determine the prices. It is the intention of this project to improve the quality of products as well as expand markets.

The project supports the National MDG goals of reducing poverty, empowering women and protecting the environment. It also supports the Social Forestry Programme of ensuring that communities drive maximum benefits from forests found in their localities. Indigenous Hardwood Trees are protected through the Forestry Act as well the Parks and Wildlife Management Act. Accordingly raising awareness on their environmental status will help preserve biodiversity.



4.0 PROJECT GOAL, OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES AND INTENDED RESULTS IN TERMS OF OUTPUTS AND INCOMES

4.1 OVERALL PROJECT GOAL

The goal of the project is ?Reduction of biodiversity loss in Ngomambi South ward community through sustainable utilization of natural resources ?

4.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

(iv) To promote propagation of ilala palm and conservation of indigenous Hardwood Forest.
(v) To enhance knowledge and skills in conservation farming and permaculture design through ecological land use management to improve income base
(vi) To improve earnings from natural resource derived products.



4.3 TABLE 1: OBJECTIVES, OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

Objective1: To promote propagation of ilala palm and conservation of indigenous Hardwood Forests
Activities Outputs (0 ? 6 months of completed activity) Outcome
1.1 Conduct community mobilization and raise awareness Working strategy produced Communities become aware of how project will transform livelihoods and the environment

1.2 Identify local trees and their uses Nutrition chart of uses and names of trees in place within four months

Improved nutrition at household level
1.3 Collect seeds for various trees and ilala cuttings Sustainable supply of tree seeds and ilala cuttings

Ilala is reestablished in depleted areas
1.4 Prepare land and seeds and ilala cutting Two nurseries established and functional

1.5 Plant agro forestry trees in depleted area Plots prepared and functional

Improved Forest cover
1.6 Develop integrated ilala and timber management plan Management plan produced.

Improved management of Ilala and Timber
1.7 Demonstration on construction of chigwa stoves in 20 households as pilots to reduce dependence on hardwood for fuel wood

Chingwa stove prototype produced and disseminated to Reduced dependence on hardwood for fuel.





OBJECTIVES 2: To enhance knowledge and skills in conservation farming and permaculture design through ecological land use management to improve income base.
Activities Output (0 ? 6 months of completed activity) Outcome (1 year after completed activity)
2.1 conduct training on selected topics. Environmental / forestry management, Permaculture, organic farming, conservation farming 2.1 Communities knowledgeable in the importance of organic farming and working together Improved environmental management
2.2 formulate by-laws and register them with the council for management of indigenous timber 2.2 By-laws formed and registered with council Improved natural resources management
2.4 train communities in gender mainstreaming in agriculture and HIV & AIDS. 2.4 Communities acquire requisite knowledge Good governance in local institutions
2.5 Carry out look and learn visits. 2.5 Communities exchange information and knowledge Replication of success stories


OBJECTIVE 3
To improve earnings from natural resources, that is, timber and ilala crafts and organic foods through improved lucrative markets
Activities relating to objective 2 Output (0 ? 6 months of completed activity) Outcome (1 year after completed activity)
1.5 Construction of production and marketing centre and Blair toilet Collective marketing of crafts assures Improved Income
1.6 fencing the centre
3.1 Develop marketing strategy and ilala products data base Guidelines for quality productions in place Increased markets for the crafts