Project Detail

Community practices in soil fertility restoration on Kyiv and Zhytomyr Polissya landscape

One of the main environmental problems of Zhytomyr and Kyiv Polissya landscape is a sharp deterioration of the ecological and agrochemical condition of soils on lands contaminated by the Chornobyl disaster. One of the reasons is intensive technologies usage, leading to the degeneration of soil fertility and the accumulation of harmful chemicals in crop production. Consequently, the main purpose of the project is the development, demonstration and dissemination of new technologies of niche crops growing in Zhytomyr and Kyiv Polissya as an effective tool to restore soil fertility.
Specific project goals include:
- development and testing the technology of niche crops growing in Zhytomyr and Kyiv Polissya;
- increasing the environmental awareness and consolidation of the created partnerships that aim at expanding the capacities to introduce the technologies in their own households, to share experience and develop a network of CSO "Green Zhytomyr".
The off-the-shelf technology of niche plants growing is tested on 40 hectares of degraded lands of Zhytomyr and Kyiv Polissya (lands contaminated by the Chornobyl catastrophe, that have not been used for 30 years). Conditions to restore the communities? soil fertility and to prevent it?s degradation were lain as a result of usage of the niche cultures sowing.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

NGO "Green consciousness and partnership"

Country:

Ukraine

Area Of Work:

Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

Phase 6

Grant Amount:

US$ 21,458.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 4,405.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 17,700.00

Project Number:

UKR/SGP/OP6/Y2/CORE/LD/16/06

Start Date:

9/2016

End Date:

9/2017

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Workshop for local authorities and communities

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Project Characteristics and Results

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

A number of educational events was organized: a conference "Land degradation in the Polissya area and ways of solving this problem in the concept of sustainable development of rural territories and communities" on November 18, 2016, in Horoshiv; a scientific conference "Scientific and practical bases of land use and development of ecological agriculture in the Polissya zone" was held on April 7, 2017, at the Zhytomyr National Agroecological University; two thematic exhibitions "Land degradation" were held on March 6, 2017 in Lviv and on October 18, 2016 in Kyiv, during the UNDP/GEF Knowledge Fair. In order to familiarize young people with the problem of land degradation and ways of its solution, promote ecological professions and expand opportunities for rural youth in solving global ecological problems, on November 3, 2016, the Zhytomyr Agro-Technical College held open lessons "Lithosphere Protection". And on February 18, 2017, a student meeting with project experts, teachers of the Agronomy Faculty took place at the Zhytomyr National Agroecological University. Problems of the Polissya soil, water quality, air and agricultural products were discussed.

Gender Focus

Gender equality is a part of project policy and all parties participate in project activities on equal base and benefit from project results.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

In order to raise awareness of the scientific developments of the project and best practices on the restoration of soil fertility and the prevention of their degradation, the information and educational flyers have been developed and distributed.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The technology of niche crops for 30 hectares of the demonstration area in Zhytomyr Polissya and 10 hectares of the demonstration area in Kyiv Polissya was established. The technology of growing crops reduces the pesticide load on the soil. And the biopreparation that was used during inoculation of the seed improved microbiological activity. Such processes contributed to the restoration of agroecosystems, improved impoverished soils and increased their adaptability to other crops.

Project Results

Project achieved the following results:
- project experts developed a scientific analysis and determined plots for testing the technology of niche crops growing in Zhytomyr and Kyiv Polissya;
- over 175 kg of niche crops seeds were sown;
- 40 ha of lands are sustainably used due to niche crops growing - Silybum marianum and Nigella L. The technology of growing crops reduces the pesticide load on the soil, and the biopreparation that was used during inoculation of the seed improved microbiological activity. Such processes contributed to the restoration of agroecosystems, improved impoverished soils and increased their adaptability to other crops;
- on the basis of received results experts have developed practical recommendations on technology of niche crops growing and disseminated among local farmers;
- wide awareness raising campaign was conducted, including conference "Land degradation in the Polissya area and ways of solving this problem in the concept of sustainable development of rural territories and communities", two exhibitions "Land degradation", open lessons "Lithosphere Protection", a student meeting with project experts and other events;
- new CSO was formed and registered to ensure the sustainability of the project and the dissemination of its results on a permanent basis, as well as local CSOs Network was enlarged with new members;
- project team has developed several publications and ensured wide media coverage on project results.

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Indicators

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs formed or registered through the SGP project 1

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 200

Empowerment

Number and type of support linkages established with local governments/authorities 8

Biophysical

Hectares of land sustainably managed by project 40

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