1.1Project Summary
Musavezi River stretched approximately 16 kilometres across Mfiri ward 5 and it provide critical life support to the ecosystem including human beings and livestock during dry period. The source of the river is in ward 6 (Zvamatenga), about 10 kilometers outside the northern boundary of Mfiri ward. The project activities seek to rehabilitate and protect an average of 130 square kilometers of the Mfiri ward 5 catchment area of Musavezi River. Key activities threatening the conservation of biological diversity in Musavezi River catchment in Mfiri ward include cutting down of trees for fencing individual gardens that are nucleated along the stream banks of the river. Deforestation as a result of firewood collection, overgrazing, brick molding, invasive species (lantana camara), poor agricultural practices and veldt fires incidences are contributing to the bareness of land cover which was estimated at 70 percent by the baseline survey.

The proposed project demonstration will be implemented in Kuchicha village with a total of 50 beneficiary households. Mfiri ward 5 as a whole with a total population of 3286 (1537 males and 1749 females will benefit from catchment conservation interventions including awareness campaigns to end veldt fires and deforestation. The project seeks to reduce biodiversity loss through afforestation of the degraded areas, introduction of 80 energy saving stoves to reduce the amount of firewood use per household from 25 kilograms to 10 kilograms per day and beekeeping activities. An integrated 3hacter organic and agro forestry garden will be established to reduce continuous siltation of Musavezi River. This demonstration agro ecological plot will promote good land use planning techniques, climate change mitigation, small livestock integration with organic crop production, fruit orchard and tree nurseries to promote the conservation of forestry resources. The demonstration plot will introduce sustainable water conservation through drilling and installation of a solar powered borehole for irrigation and clean domestic water supply to the village. Market linkages and value addition of small livestock and vegetable products from agro ecological demonstration plots will improve the livelihoods of 42 women and 8 men participating in the project through increasing their food production, nutrition and income opportunities.


1.2 Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the project
Shurugwi Organic Farmers Association is a Community Based Organization formed in 2014 and worked with Shurugwi Partners, SNV Netherlands and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in strengthening smallholder farmers? institutions in market linkages and cascading agro-ecological principles focusing mainly on scaling up organic farming, certification and environmental conservation for its affiliated/registered members. The Association provides sustainable market linkages for some farmer groups to high value markets within the Midlands province. The association has an approval for operations from the local authority (Appendix 1 attached) and has a membership of 1320 smallholder farmers (households).
We wish to highlight that one of our staff members as Shurugwi Organic Farmers Association who is involved in co-ordinating the project has experience in community development work, agriculture and conservation through working for Agritex within the district of Shurugwi for seven years and worked for Livestock Production and Development for one year. The work involved coordinating smallholder farmers? market linkages with private sector mining companies, trainer of trainer in Climate change mitigation and adaptation also carrying out extension work within the district. The committee members has been trained in savings clubs, small livestock, and community project management and exposed to successful projects through exchange visits facilitated by other NGOs. The management of the association is comprised of certified organic farmers and experienced trainers for organic farming who were capacitated by ZOPPA Trust. The Association will work with government ministries that include Agritex, Livestock Production and Development, EMA, Forestry and Tongogara Rural District Council during the project implementation.


Mission Statement
To be an excellent community group that manages and utilizes surrounding natural environment through good agricultural practices for household food security, nutrition and income for poverty alleviation.




Core Values
? Awareness
? Honesty
? Transparency
? Accountability
? Participation

Core Activities
The association offers training and capacity building activities to member farmer groups in the following areas;
? Organic farming crop and livestock production
? Market linkages
? Beekeeping
? Mushroom production
? Value addition and
? Environmental conservation.

The management of the association has experience in community work, agriculture and conservation through working for Agritex and coordinating smallholder farmers? market linkages with private sector mining companies. The members has been trained in savings clubs, small livestock and exposed to successful projects through exchange visits facilitated by other NGOs. The management of the association are certified organic farmers and experienced trainers for organic farming who were capacitated by ZOPPA.

Shurugwi Organic Farmers Association has managed to organize individual household small gardens into cooperatives for proper land use management .It has also facilitated training programs in organic farming and reducing the use of chemicals threatening biodiversity. As an association, the organization has promoted the use of natural and organic pest control, soil and water conservation, climate smart agriculture and on farm water harvesting and conservation activities in ward 5, 7 and 24. The association is managed by a 7 member committee selected to represent different clusters at district level based on the level of expertise in different fields related to community development. A total of 7 clusters are supporting the association and these are Chikato, Chitora, Mfiri, Chanaiwa, Nhema, Chironde and Mazivisa. The Association has subcommittees from the farmer group levels, ward levels and the district level which makes coverage, coordination, monitoring and training activities for the farmer?s activities easier. The Association has professional network of researchers from Midlands State University and experts from extension services like Agricultural Extension and Technical Services (Agritex) and Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) who play an advisory roles.


The Structure of Shurugwi Organic Farmers Association



Capacity of the community to implement the project
The community has organized women?s groups who are involved in village savings clubs and these were active participants during project proposal consultative meetings. They indicated different small intervention that they implemented on voluntary basis to control gullies through afforestation and gully reclamation activities. Supportive local leadership in form of councilor, chief, headman and village heads who made significant contribution in identifying community environmental challenges pledged their support for the successful implementation, scale up and sustainability of a demonstration project to conserve Musavezi River catchment.
The project will also work with existing structures and build their capacity in the management and coordination of intervention to conserve biodiversity. These include ward coordinators, youth officers, ward based Agritex officers and Environmental monitors trained by EMA. These will offer policy related support and linkages with private and government support institutions for the success of the project.
1.3Project Objectives and Expected Results
? Problem statement or challenge the project intends to address
The major environmental challenge faced by the communities within Musavezi River catchment is loss of biodiversity in forests, rangelands and farms. Biodiversity loss is a direct result of the dominance of invasive lantana camara species, soil erosion, siltation of Musavezi river catchment, recurrent droughts and deforestation as a result of overgrazing and veldt fires.

An inseparable combination between loss of biodiversity and land degradation are existing in the Musavezi River catchment, with clear signs including domination of forests by acacia karroo species (mihwa/muunga) and terminalia sericea (mususu) whuch thrive in degraded land. The existence of invasive lantana camara species along the stream banks of Musavezi River and in forest margin and gaps has increased loss of indigenous forest biodiversity. Lantana camara threatens other vegetation and compete with more desirable species leading to reduction in biodiversity, increasing toxicity to livestock as it invades rangelands, contain a substance known as pentacyclic triterpenoids which result in liver damage for grazing animals. Lantana Camara slows down regeneration of forests by preventing growth of new trees especially in areas where veldt fires are common. Invasion of pastures and forests by Lantana Camara has led to the reduction in the productivity of pastures through excreting chemical known as allelopathy which reduces the growth of surrounding plants by inhibiting germination and root elongation.

Siltation of Musavezi River has become a cause of concern for the community due to reduced water storage in river pools and water availability threatening aquatic ecosystem and livelihoods. Most women were dependent on Musavezi River water for irrigation of gardens and due siltation, there is a marked reduction in gardening activities and availability of water for livestock, leaving the community with no safety mechanism to cushion themselves from harsh drought conditions and food insecurity. Recurrent Droughts and other climate related disasters have led to crop failure and drying up of wetlands, extinction of water loving plants. Erratic rainfall patterns (450-600mm annual average)

Deforestation as a result of firewood collection, fencing of gardens and over grazing was identified as community problem that require immediate attention from conservation projects. Over grazing accelerates loss of species and genetic diversity, and reduce land cover leading to signs of desertification. The Mfiri community has approximately 70 percent bareness in terms of vegetation cover, meaning that existing forests are not able to sustain community needs in terms of grazing, food and fuel wood generation. The major species that were threatened by deforestation include brachstagia speciformis (musasa) and brachstagia boehmee (mutondo/mupfuti) as a result of firewood collection in Musavezi River catchment.
Most of the vegetation in the area is concentrated along Musavezi river banks and mountains which are now acting as critical reserves for forestry biological diversity. Due to over dependency on stream banks for cultivation these forest reserves are under serious threats and they need immediate conservation approach through the catchment management project.

? Overall project goal/primary objective
The project aims to reduce biodiversity loss and mitigate climate change impacts for resilient ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods in Musavezi River catchment.

? Specific objectives
i. To reduce biodiversity loss through afforestation, beekeeping, establishment of grass and tree nurseries for increasing species diversity and rehabilitation of Musavezi River catchment within the first 12 months of the project.
ii. To reduce stream bank cultivation and deforestation by establishing an integrated 3 hectares organic farming and agro-forestry garden with drip irrigation for the benefit of 50 households (42 women and 8 men) and improve their livelihood opportunities within the first 8 months of the project.
iii. To reduce drought induced water scarcity through solar powered borehole drilling and installation for improving domestic and irrigation water supplies for 50 households in Kuchicha village within the first 4 months of the project.
iv. To promote the use of climate smart energy saving stoves by 80 households reducing carbon emission and fuel wood consumption from an estimated 25 kilograms to 10 kilograms per day per household by end of the project?s 24 months.

? Rationale/justification of the project
The project seeks to protect Musavezi River catchment that provide critical life and ecological support during the dry season and reduce loss of biodiversity and land degradation caused by over grazing, cutting tree for firewood, invasive alien lantana camara species, stream bank cultivation and deforestation. This will be achieved by organizing all nucleated small garden to form one 3ha sustainable cooperative garden and providing adequate water for irrigation through borehole drilling, solar water pump and drip irrigation instillation.

The projects seeks to address drought induced water shortages to cushion the community from water stress in this agro ecological region IV that receives an average of 450-650mm annual rainfall. The community depends mainly on intermittent river water sources that dry up from August every year until the next season rains are received as a result of siltation caused by soil erosion. Afforestation and woodlots development will be carried out to improve soil cover and reduce soil erodability as measure to counter siltation of Musavezi River.

Improving natural resources based livelihoods and reducing poverty which is accelerating overexploitation of natural resource by introducing beekeeping activities, rabbits production, orchard development and market linkages of horticultural products provides an incentive and sustainable opportunities for community based conservation of biodiversity. Trainings the community on environmental conservation skills will help the community to change their attitude towards over exploitation of natural resources into the development of sustainable conservation practices.

The project will promote productive climate smart agro-ecology through organic farming practices that increase agro-biodiversity and land productivity. The system promotes elimination of chemicals that destroys micro-organism which are crucial in improving the soil structure that support healthy ecosystems. Farmers will be trained on organic food production, natural and organic pest control and they will be certified as organic producers. Organic farming also support agro ecology principles as it enhances biomass, nutrient availability, nutrients flow and water retention within the ecosystem.

The project will promote the use of clean renewable energy through solar water pumping and energy saving stoves through capacitating women in the construction of Chingwa stoves thereby reducing emission of carbon into the atmosphere .The introduction of chingwa stoves will result in the reduction of cutting down of trees for fire wood in the catchment area.




Table 1: Objectives, activities, outputs and outcomes
OBJECTIVE 1: To reduce biodiversity loss through afforestation, beekeeping, establishment of grass and tree nurseries for increasing species diversity and rehabilitation of Musavezi River catchment within the first 12 months of the project.
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 1: Improve forestry management and conservation through beekeeping

Indicators:
? Area (m²) with conserved through beekeeping activities
? Number of beehives setup and installed
? Volume of honey products harvested per year
? Number of people trained and benefiting from beekeeping

Baseline:
? 0 ha of area with beekeeping
? Zero beehives setup
? No honey products produced
? No people trained and benefiting from beekeeping
Target:
? 3ha of area conserved through beekeeping activities
? 300 beehives setup and installed
? 1000 litres of honey produced per year
? 50 community members (42 females and 8 males) benefiting
- Biodiversity species inventory
- Biodiversity conservation training
- Beekeeping for forest management
- Exchange visits Improved vegetation cover and ecosystems services for degraded communities
Output 2: Improve vegetation cover through afforestation

Indicators:
? Hectares of land re-vegetated through afforestation
? Number of new trees planted
? Number of community nurseries developed
? Number of tree species conserved

Baseline:
? Zero hectares re-vegetated through afforestation
? Zero new trees planted
? Zero community nurseries established
? Zero tree species conserved

Target:
? 3 ha re-vegetated through afforestation
? 10,000 new tree species planted
? 1 community nursery established
? 10 tree species conserved
- Afforestation and woodlots development
- Tree and grass nurseries
OBJECTIVE 2: To reduce stream bank cultivation and deforestation by establishing an integrated 3 hectares organic farming and agro-forestry garden with drip irrigation for the benefit of 50 households (42 women and 8 men) and improve their livelihood opportunities within the first 12 months of the project.
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 3: Smallholder farmers improve natural resources conservation through organic farming and agroforestry

Indicators:
? Hectares of land applying climate smart agro ecology
? Hectares of land under organic farming
? Hectares of land under drip irrigation
? Number of farmers practicing climate smart agro ecology

Baseline:
? Zero hectares applying climate smart agro ecology
? Zero hectares of land under organic farming
? Zero hectares of land under drip irrigation
? Zero farmers practicing climate smart agro ecology

Target:
? 3 ha applying climate smart agro ecology
? 3 ha of land under organic farming
? 1 ha of land under drip irrigation
? 50 farmers (42 females, 8 males) practicing climate smart agro ecology
- Fencing 3ha garden
- Drip irrigation installation
- 5000L PVC tank installation
- Organic farming activities
- Organic farming certification
- Operation and maintenance training
Food security and income increase due to more resilient ecosystems
Output 4: Farmers increased food and income for livelihoods.

Indicators:
? Number of farmers benefiting from increased food and income
? Volume (kg) of organic fresh produce harvested
? Crop varieties in organic garden
? Average Income (US$) generated from market linkages

Baseline:
? Zero farmers benefiting from increased food and income
? Zero KGs of organic produce harvested per year
? No crop variety
? No income generated from markets per farmers per year

Target:
? 50 farmers (42 females, 8 males) increased food and income
? 30,000KGs of organic produce harvested per year
? 8 varieties of crops produced consistently
? US$180 income generated from markets per farmer

- Orchard development
- Horticulture production
- Rabbit production
- Market linkages activities
- Exchange visits
OBJECTIVE 3: To reduce drought induced water scarcity through solar powered borehole drilling and installation for improving domestic and irrigation water supplies for 50 households in Kuchicha village within the first 4 months of the project.
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 5: Community have increased access to clean domestic and irrigation water supply.

Indicators:
? Number of solar powered boreholes established
? Number of households with access to clean domestic water
? Annual volume of water (m³) utilized by farmers from borehole
Baseline:
? Zero solar powered boreholes
? 40 households with access to clean domestic water
? No statistics about annual volume (m³) of water utilized by farmers
Target:
? One (1) solar powered borehole established.
? 100 households with access to clean domestic water
? 2,500 m³ of clean water utilized for irrigation and household
- Hydro-geological survey
- Borehole drilling (60 metres)
- Masonry tank (50000L) construction
- Solar water pump installation
- Operation and maintenance training
Water and sanitation services improved in the community
OBJECTIVE 4: To promote the use of climate smart energy saving stoves by 80 households reducing carbon emission and fuel wood consumption from an estimated 25 kilograms to 10 kilograms per day per household by end of the project?s 24 months.
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 6: Women improve energy efficiency and reduce deforestation through the use of energy saving stoves

Indicators:
? Number of households using energy saving stoves
? Number of women trained on construction of energy saving stoves
? Daily average wood consumption by households

Baseline:
? One (1) household using energy saving stove
? Zero women trained on construction of energy saving stoves
? 25 kilograms of wood burnt per day per household

Target:
? Eighty (80) households using energy saving stoves
? Ten (10) women trained on construction of energy saving stoves
? 10 kilograms of wood burnt per day per household

- Training women on construction of stoves
- Construction of 80 stoves


Deforestation and carbon emissions as a result of burning firewood are reduced.