The project seeks to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on women farmers in 3 communities in Kiang West District by strengthening/improving the performance of 3 old vegetable garden schemes and building their capacity to implement climate smart agricultural practices to offset their traditional occupations of rice farming.

Broad Objective:
Mitigation of Climate change impact through smart agricultural practices and diverse environmental conservation strategies

Specific Objectives: (3)
Objective 1:
To rehabilitate the water supply system, and provide materials and erect environmentally friendly perimeter fence of 3 vegetable gardens in 3 communities in Kiang East District within 12 months.

Objective 2:
To provide technical and material support (compost, inputs and equipments) to 280 target beneficiaries in 3 communities.

Objective 3:
To build the capacities of 141 target beneficiaries (83% female & 75% youths) on; good governance, food processing & preservation, marketing, compost making and preparation of none chemical pesticides within 12 months


B. Activities planned and completed this reporting period and results achieved.
1. Sensitisation and awareness raising about project implementation process.
The 3 beneficiary communities of Massembeh, Kolior Nyamala and Jasobo in Kiang west District were sensitised and their awareness raised about the project objectives, activities, budget and roles and responsibilities of GEF/SGF/UNDP, AFET and Beneficiaries. The beneficiaries were also informed about the start date and completion date schedules of the project.

2. Site clearing and erecting of perimeter fences
The contractor conducted the measurement of the garden sites perimeter areas to confirm that they are not more than one hectare. Then the clearance and digging of the holes followed as required. These angle iron pieces produced 612 (3 meter length posts) and 2 gates. The fence posts and chain link fence wire materials were delivered before the digging of holes was completed. As agreed the beneficiaries provided the required sand and gravel as part of their contribution. The posts were concreted 50 centimetres down in the holes and 1.5 meters height of the posts above ground level upon which the chain link wire would be tied. The chain link wire was then tied to 3lines of span wire ran through the holes punched through the posts at a distance of 50 centimetres apart on each post. The erection exercise was completed on the 26th March 2021.

The challenge experienced was that cement was obtained at a higher cost than the D280/bag amount indicated in the budget. We were misinformed that cement was available at Kolior Nyamala only to find out it can only be obtained from Soma. The cost in Soma was D295/bag and transportation cost of D25/bag.

3. Procurement of chain link fencing materials for 1,200 meters perimeter fences of 3 gardens

The purchase of the garden perimeter fencing materials was completed accordingly and include; 48 rolls of chain link fencing wire and 207 pieces of angle iron to be cut into 3 meter fence posts. As according to procedures we are supposed to collect three pro-forma invoices out of which we select one supplier from whom we purchase the materials. This was done in all our procurement exercises. The angle irons lengths were taken to a welder-man to cut the lengths into 3 meters height posts.

4. Monitoring and evaluation

Monitoring is an on-going planned activity. It was planned that at least one monitoring field visit should be conducted each month. It was suppose to be an all inclusive monitoring exercise of the implementation process. However, instances of carrying out impromptu visits are inevitable as well.

6. Rehabilitation of 6 old wells

The rehabilitation of 6 old wells (2 wells in Massembeh garden and 4 wells in Kolior Nyamala) which the beneficiaries claim are prune to dry due over drawing during peak periods of watering in the garden as well as when in the months of May and June when the water table drops significantly. The contractor was directed to further conduct an additional two meters wet digging.

7. Training for 21 participants on good governance and democratisation process

The training was planed to bring together at least 7 participants from each beneficiary community's kafo committee. The kafos were informed that the workshop is open and as such any none committee members interested can join the workshop as that person can become a committee member in the future.

The topics treated by the Resource person were as follows;
i. Definitions of a kafo or group
ii. Composition of a kafo
iii. Governance structures of a kafo
iv. Who can be a committee member and key positions of a committee.
v. What is a constitution and key elements and or sections of a kafo constitution
vi. Record Keeping
vii. Reporting
viii. Fundraising
ix. Way Forward - Suggestions and Recommendatios

8. Training 60 participants on compost making, natural pesticides and actual compost making