Uhiele and Emuhi are rural communities in Esan west Local Government Area Edo State, Nigeria and have been in existence for many years. They are contiguous communities with a combined population of about 7,885. By the 2006 population census figures, Uhiele is 4,816 while Emuhi is 3,069. The people are mostly subsistent farmers with the women constituting 70% of the farming population. These communities like most rural communities in Nigeria are experiencing the effects of climate change but unaware of this experience. This change is noticeable in the reduction in incomes generated from farming, Community land degradation and other sources of livelihoods. Reduced income from farming means the cycle of poverty continues with the women being the major casualty. Our Baseline survey shows that the farmers in the community are involved in unsustainable farming practices, logging and cutting down of trees for sale in form of firewood leading to massive deforestation in the communities. It was also observed that the women are involved in domestic processing of Coconut oil. Uhiele community is known for the sale of coconut, coconut Trees remain in the community and they are scattered in some homes and farmlands making the business of coconut oil more energy sapping and less profitable. Again, Trees are cut down for domestic energy which further leads to poverty because the protective cover of the soil is being removed and soil nutrients are depleted by soil erosion and fertility loss. They grow cassava, pawpaw, vegetables and Coconut. Against this background therefore, this project seeks to mobilize community actions to build and increase resilience of the communities? people towards effectively adopting and responding to the unavoidable impact of climate change and promoting sustainable livelihood through cultivation and production of coconut oil. The project seeks to carry out Awareness Creation and Sensitization; installation of a locally fabricated fully mechanized Coconut oil Processing Plant and Training of women group; proffer solutions to the declining farming outputs; promote climate smart agricultural practices and promote fuel wood efficiency in the project location.

These activities will be implemented participatory with the Uhiele and Emuhi communities.