Context
SMARTD development area faces a number of challenges which can be described as inefficient resources to fight poverty, inadequate capacity of communities to deal with climate change and massive environmental degradation. Agriculture production in our area is affected by climate change and losses are severe. Water availability on the other hand is threatened by climate change. Water sources are disappearing or becoming scarce, streams that used to run all year round are now seasonal. Changes in the ecosystem have also affected wild sources of food such as wild vegetables and herbs which were used as medicines and as nutrient supplements during scarcity of food. Intensive tillage accompanied by mono cropping, mismanaged grazing and other conventional farming practices limit the lands ?potential to sustain to sustain food security and preserve biodiversity. Rain-fed agriculture systems suffer the most of these impacts especially under irregular rainfall patterns and extreme temperatures resulting from climate change. Framers now harvest 50% less than before the emergence of climate change phenomenon.
In this regard, SMARTD will work with communities in shifting to a system that improves soil health by improving soil aggregates, structure, moisture content and its capacity to regulate temperatures to those favorable to crop growth. We will encourage among communities practices that promotes minimal soil tillage, biodiversity, environmental conservation and management, fodder production and water storage capacity of farmlands for farmers to increase productivity of diverse nutritious food thereby improving food security. Working with communities on prevention and reversal of destruction of the environment and natural resource base in our operational area is very crucial. We will support our communities in their efforts to manage and conserve the natural resource on which they depend and support the use of appropriate technologies to enhance adaptive capacities of the vulnerable community so that in the ultimate end we have a sound and protected environment on which to produce food and maximise yields for our communities to be food sovereign and food secure.
The project ?Improving Livelihoods of Vulnerable groups through Sustainable practices and Environmental protection? will be operating in the southern Mountains of Quthing in Ha-Tlhaku and rural Maseru in T?senekeng Semonkong. In Ha-Tlhaku this project will cover the villages of Ha-Mosehle, Ha-Ratjeka, Polateng, Mahlachaneng, Ha-Ntami and Ha-Tlhaku while in Semonkong our main focus will be in the villages of Likueneng, Moriting, Masaleng, Ha-rasefale and Letlapeng. The SMARTD Resource Centre is about 200m above the Senqu river on the southern side, on the outskirts of the small rural town of Ha-Sekake. This area consists of relatively gently sloping terrain used as arable land for field crops, but the larger part is mountainous with steep slopes and cliffs. The sloppiness of the farm land makes it easier for soil to wash away with heavy and mild rains. Wind erosion is also affecting farmland and other soil degradation factors that result mostly from the practices that people engage in when farming.

Project Objectives

Primary objective
To contribute to improved livelihoods and protected environment on which farm households depend on for their survival in areas of Ha-Tlhaku and T?enekeng.


Specific objectives:
Specific objectives which will help us reach our primary objective are as follows:
? To enhance the capacities of communities, farmers and local authorities on environmental protection
? Raise awareness to livestock owners, herders, communities and local authorities on the importance of keeping well managed rangelands
? To improve adaptation capacities of farmers on the effects of climate change in food production
The specific outcomes of our intervention will be as follows:
? Small holder farmers, communities and local authorities participate in environmental protection technologies advocated to them by SMARTD.
? Livestock owners, herders, communities and local authorities implement proper range management and practice supplementary feeding.
? Smallholder farmers use sustainable agriculture initiatives for their livelihoods enhancement.