The main objective of this project is to develop the capacities Bunguase farmers and create opportunities for the community members to invest in sustainable land management and agroecology technologies, and develop livelihood enterprises, as a way of ensuring poverty reduction within the Black Volta Basin.

The specific objectives of the project are:
- To develop and sustain the capacities of Bunguase farmers to identify innovative practices, procedures and opportunities to invest in sustainable land management utilizing agroecology strategies.

- To assist the farmers group to restore degraded lands through integrated water and soil management, community based forest woodlot/agro-forestry, wildfires management, natural regeneration establishment and enrichment planting.

- To support the Bunguase farmers association to invest in sustainable livelihood enterprise development.

The implementation of the project will produce three main outcomes:
1) Capacities of local farm families developed for sustainable land management and conservation of natural ecosystem of the degraded land.
2) Local farmers within Bunguase supported to invest in sustainable land management and Conservation of the Black Volta Basin Ecosystem.
3) Natural resource-based enterprises and alternative livelihood support systems developed.

Outcome 1: Capacities of local farmers developed for sustainable land management and conservation of natural ecosystem of the degraded land.

The component activities will seek to develop institutional capacities of the Bunguase Plantation and Animal Rearing Farmers Association to sustainably manage land and conserve natural resources. The project will support the strengthening of existing traditional and local systems, structures and services to foster local development and management and to create an enabling environment for project success Farmers would be trained in conservation agriculture and mixed farming using improved small ruminants. Each members of the group will be encouraged to develop a pen for rearing animals and utilizing the animal droppings for compost preparation which will be used on their farms.

Outcome 2: Farmers within Bunguase supported to invest in sustainable land management and Conservation of the Black Volta Basin Ecosystem.
The project idea seeks to mobilize the community members to secure existing natural and environmental resources endowments while creating additional stocks through sustainable land management practices, agroforestry, natural regeneration, woodlot/ plantation establishments, reintroduction of threatened species and restoration of vegetation cover as well as measures to prevent wildfires. The project will focus on activities that would reverse the current damaging production patterns and promote sustainable development of natural resources and protection of biodiversity by involving key stakeholders including civil society organizations working in the district and traditional authority.

Outcome 3: Natural resource-based enterprises and alternative livelihood support systems developed.
This component will provide support in achieving efficiency in the production, and sale of cashew nuts and Neem seeds. In addition, the project will provide support for diversification of sources of rural income and interlinked development of farm, natural resource-based and non-farm activities that can reduce rural poverty. The project will support technologies that can combine, low input agriculture and forestry (including wildlife, wood fuel production) and innovative rotations to improve food security, rural income and reduce poverty. The project will support the development of viable small-scale village enterprises that can be engaged in wild animal domestication/establishment, harvesting, and production, processing and marketing of non-timber forest products including live animals, bush meat, wood fuel, honey and bee waxes, plant-based oil, medicinal plants, herbal medicines. The project will provide funds through the establishment of a micro-financing window.
PROJECT OUTPUTS:
The project intervention will produce four main outputs as follows:
Output 1:
- 30 household farmers trained and are practicing climate-smart agroecology within Bunguase landscapes.
Output 2:
- 30 ha of degraded lands restored through integrated water and soil management systems, agro-forestry systems and promotion of agricultural biodiversity, wildfires management, natural regeneration, enrichment planting and woodlot establishment.
Output 3:
- Two rural enterprises supported in integrated livestock/small ruminant rearing and honey production.
2.3 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
1.0
Output 1: 30 household farmers in Bunguase trained and supported to identify innovative strategies, procedures and opportunities to invest in sustainable land management.

Planned Activities
1.1 Compile baseline information on the project area.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Welfare will compile the baseline information about the community and the members of the Association. Through this data the neediest and willing household farmers would be selected as champion farmers to pilot the project strategy.

1.2 Initiate weekly environmental awareness programme on sustainable land management through community meetings.

The Farmers Association will initiate weekly environmental education programme on sustainable land management system through weekly community Town hall meetings and farmers field schools. Resource persons will be drawn from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. This activity will be carried out during the project life.

1.3 Support formation and strengthening of Community Land Management Committees

The project will support the formation of community Land Management group to enact local bye-laws to support sustainable land management and to provide extension in land management in rural communities. With support from MoFA extension, Social Welfare, Forestry, and Rural Fire Service personnel at the district, the farmers would be assisted to plan, coordinate and execute community-based land management and natural resource management programmes.

1.4 Organize community fora in the project area.

The Project Management Committee will organize community fora to promote environmental awareness programmes within the community to create awareness, change attitudes and behaviours of the people to be able to contain environmental problems. The forums will learn and introduce innovative strategies in sustainable land management. Using the Assets Based Conservation strategies the staff of MOFA will enable the communities to identify opportunities, plan and invest in sustainable land management.

1.5 Organize natural resource management workshops for selected farmers.

The MOFA and Forestry Staffs will organize training workshops for at least 20 farmers on natural resource management and sustainable land management. These farmers will serve as trainer of trainers for the other community members within the project area. These workshops will help the farmers acquire skills and knowledge on judicious use of natural resources for sustainability, proven technologies in sustainable land management and assets that can be processed for income generation.

1.6 Introduce improved soil fertility technologies to trained farmers.

The MOFA Extension staff will organise series of hands?on training sessions for 20 farmers to help them acquire knowledge in improved soil fertility technologies and adoption of organic farming practices. These farmers after the training will serve as trainers to train the rest of the community members on sustainable land management practices.

1.7 Embark on intensive wildfire prevention and management.

The Rural Fire Division and MOFA will select twenty (20) members from the community, train and equip them as wildfire management volunteers? squads to serve as watchdog committees to ensure responsible environmental behaviour. The Squad will be trained in fire-fighting and first aid techniques. After the training they will be issued with identification cards and Wellington boots. The squad will also help the community to formulate their own environmental rules and regulations to govern the environment.

Output 2: 30 ha of degraded lands restored through integrated water and soil management systems, agro-forestry systems and promotion of agricultural biodiversity, wildfires management, natural regeneration, enrichment planting and woodlot establishment.
Planned Activities

2.1 Establish community nursery
A community nursery with 50,000-seedling capacity will be established under the project by the nursery committee to supply seedlings to all farmer households involved in the project. A group of 5 people (2 men and 3 women) would be trained as nursery managers to look after the nursery. The nursery will generate additional income for the project from the sale of fruit seedlings. The project will assist local level entrepreneurs with training, materials, simple tools and equipment to operate their own nurseries to produce the needed planting material. The project will support the introduction of improved planting materials.
2.2 Establish a multipurpose woodlot and fodder Banks

To reduce the pressure on the forest as a source of fodder for livestock and energy, a 5-hectare multipurpose woodlot will be established to supply wood fuel for the community. These will improve livestock production in the area. Fast growing trees will be supplied from the community nursery for propagation in the multipurpose woodlot.

2.3 Establish Agro forestry in farms of registered farm families

The project will encourage and support 30 interested farmers to establish at least 0.5 ha agro-forestry under alley cropping to reduce pressure on the forest as well as improve soil fertility.

2.4 Support farm families in conservation agriculture

MOFA will train and support all the members of the Bunguase Farmers Association to practice conservation agriculture and organic farming. The ecology of the area will be improved with fast growing resilient and economic plants such as Moringa, Cashew, Mango and Cassia.

2.5 Train and assist farmers to adopt improved technologies in soil fertility and reduction of farm erosion.
Some of the technologies to be adopted and promoted include preparation and application of composting, soil bonding, crop rotation, mulching, preservation and development of indigenous and threatened crop varieties and adoption of agro-forestry farming techniques. MOFA will be the lead institutions.

Output 3: Two rural enterprises supported in integrated livestock/small ruminant rearing and honey production

Planned Activities

3.1 Identify and train interested farmers in the production of honey and small ruminants rearing.

A training programme in beekeeping, pig rearing and small ruminants will be organized for 20 interested community members to serve as alternative income source, thus reducing the burden on the Savannah forest and thereby promoting natural regeneration.

3.2 Provide revolving credit scheme for farmers on alternative livelihood support through the village saving and credit schemes.

The project will establish a village saving scheme to raise funds for the revolving credit to farmers to support their livelihood activities. Four groups will be formed with 30 to 25 members each.