1.5 Organize capacity building training for the groups in soil and water conservation management, compost preparation, mulching, and cultivation of crop resistant crops
A 5ha multi-purpose woodlot and fodder bank would be established to provide fodder for livestock and fuel wood for the community in order to reduce pressure on the forest for fodder and domestic energy. Fast growing trees will be propagated in the woodlot. Seeds of suitable forage species will be broadcast to grow in the woodlot as feed for livestock.
Gender Focus
Gender Mainstreaming would be considered during the project design at all areas and levels. We will adhere to the principles of GEF guidelines which enhances female participation in all aspect of socio-economic development. The project recognizes women and women-led groups as most vulnerable in keeping with community development obligations and has identified that, women and women-led groups are less likely to bridge the gap between economic development and environmental conservation. And as such, the project will adopt a gender sensitive approach where conscious efforts will be made to identify the role of women to ensure larger participation of women in the project. The project will ensure that at least 50% of women are selected to be part of the project.
Notable Community Participation
The project will actively engage local CBOs and community members for most of the project activities
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The project will use consultative processes to relay information to the CBOs and communities and will actively depend on the local and traditional governance structures to mobilize and reach out to the CBOs and communities. Through focus group discussions, community durbars, peer reviews, monthly and quarterly reports, presentations and local media, the project goals, activities and results will be communicated to the communities and other relevant stakeholders. Policy brief documents will be develop and presented to stakeholders in the form of workshops and community dialogue.
Project Results
ACTIVITIES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER DISBURSEMENT
Some achievable activities for the first quarter are:
The identification and registration of PWDs across the district who are capable and interested in undertaking sustainable integrated agriculture. Training sessions such as the education on climate smart sustainable agriculture and animal rearing were also organized for the team (PWDs). The preparation of compost and its application together with the application of organic pesticides were also taught. In the course of the training, one of the team members (PWDs) did a demonstration on the pilot set up. The team then embarked on a major trip to visit areas where the Climate Smart Sustainable Agriculture was put into practice. As part of the sessions, two groups were created of which each identified a site at Ahenkro and Sabiye respectively to undertake their project and put what has been taught into practice.
During the implementation stage, a 4ha land was cleared and prepared for cultivation of which a source of water was supplied one year round using a set of solar irrigation system for the two sites acquired. The seeds and seedlings were then planted and then monitoring of them was done afterwards.
IDENTIFY AND REGISTER PWDs ACROSS THE DISTRICT WHO ARE CAPABLE AND INTERESTED IN UNDERTAKING SUSTAINABLE INTEGRATED AGRICULTURE.
As part of the activity on identifying and registering PWDs across the district in Banda District, a one week working visit was carried out in 3o communities within the district. The purpose was to identify and register PWDs members who are capable and interested in undertaking sustainable integrated agriculture and the following was the outcome:
a) 670 made up of 100 children, 311males and 259 females were fully identified and registered in 30 communities within the district and
b) their data has been captured by the District Assembly.
TRAIN PWDs ON CLIMATE SMART SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL REARING
The facilitator in the person of Mr., Dominic Sarkodie educated members on importance of climate smart sustainable agriculture and animal rearing. He mentioned some advantages of climate smart sustainable agriculture and animal rearing.
Below are excerpts from his delivery.
Climate Smart Sustainable Agriculture will increase production efficiently and sustainably, understanding how agriculture inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides can either complement or disrupt, the ecological processes such as pollination and natural pest control services provided by predatory and parasitic insects, building farmers skills in sustainable farming techniques, enabling farmers to improve their food security and livelihoods and raising awareness of the economic costs of harmful side-effects of pesticides and positive alternatives for pest management.
Importance of animal rearing are bred for income, meat, milk (it is considered better for human nutrition), hair (for carpets, rugs, ropes) and hide (for leather products).
Advantages: they mature within one year. Suitable for the village market. Fast maturing, twining, crop residue for animals, easy to sell, Goats easily produce twins. Give offspring three times in two years. Easy to manage. Manure for the farm (goat manure is 2.5 times richer in nitrogen and phosphoric acid than cow manure). Can fit well into mixed farming.
TRAIN PWDs IN ORGANIC COMPOST PREPARATION AND APPLICATION AND ORGANIC PESTICIDE AND APPLICATION.
To maximize the eco-friendly agroecosystem service function, agricultural technology innovation efforts are needed to train PWDs members to improve the understanding and skills of members, included the farmer?s behaviour regarding of chemical fertilizers uses, two days training workshop was organized (one from each zone Sabiye &Ahenkro) to increase their level of knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and motivate members on sustainable farming activities.
During the training it was realized that members were more interested because the materials can be easily found and the technology would easily be adopted by members. The agriculture extension Officer in the person of Mr. Dominic Sarkodie who is the facilitator started that, the best solution to improve the condition of land is using a solution of Effective Microorganism, organic fertilizer and pesticides that can be made by utilizing the materials around the house as well as farmer?s fields. Participants showed positive response to the training activities in which members were very enthusiastic in asking questions and discussion. As many as 75% members actively asked and expressed their opinions. Questions that arise related to some of the benefits of each of the materials used for producing organic compost, organic pesticides to control pest populations, reducing the doses of chemical fertilizer. The knowledge and skills of members were increased, and this can be used to measure the success rate of technology dissemination.
SET UP A PILOT AND DEMONSTRATION PLOT TO HELP TRAIN THE
PWDs. In collaboration with MOFA, a set up plot demonstration farm was established in Ahenkro to conduct the extension activities on agricultural technology and easy to farmers to see the positive results of the method.
Some selecting member of PWD?s, SW/CD and MOFA officers Fencing a demonstration farm
ORGANIZE EXCHANGE VISIT TO BEST PRACTICE AREAS FOR ORGANIC CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE AREA
Ghana Federation of Disabled Banda Branch undertake an exchange working visit to Bole Cocoa Research Institute. The purpose of these exchange visits was to seek to improve the knowledge and practices of the visitors and their organizations, and to integrate the experience gained from the visit into best practice on organic climate smart agriculture.
During the exchange visit, learning experiences facilitated through exchange visits take place at the following levels: theoretical: the exchange visits lead to mutual knowledge increase, due to practical demonstrations, which make it easier to understand an idea or a concept and which stimulate willingness to take action. This method
also enables participants to become more aware of their own skills and capacities, practical: beyond facilitating a simple exchange of ideas, an exchange visit makes it possible for PWDs to «see» concrete examples and to understand the advantage of subsequently adapting these practices and applying them to their own circumstances and behavioural: the exchange visit leads to changes in attitude and encourages open mindedness and free choice.
This exchange visit has highly enriching experiences, both at the professional and personal levels. It enables those who took part to witness other situations and help to open up people?s minds to different ways of tackling problems, as highlighted by the following comments from participants:
«After taking part in this exchange visit with members, I have understood why it is important on the best practice on organic climate smart Agriculture in our communities. E.Y. Donkor who took part in an exchange visit said, the exchange visits actually produced the result that the trainer had been trying to achieve for the past years
Identify Suitable Sites for All Year-Round Farming (2ha For Each Group)
The management committee team in collaboration with Banda District Assembly, MOFA and Banda Traditional Council has identified and release 27ha of suitable farmland forall year-round farming to the PWDs for a period of 25years for the cultivation of vegetables within the district.
The Chairman of the management team Mr, Saaka I. Sadrat who is also the District Agriculture Director thank the Omanhene of the Banda Traditional Area for giving out such land to Ghana Federation of Disabled to undertake such an important activity in the district. He added that,this is only way that can give us market within the district since market is our biggest problem.
Prepare the Land for Cultivation and Apportion It To The PWDS (Each Family At Least Two Beds)
Ghana Federation of Disabled Banda Branch in collaboration with Department of Agriculture and Social Welfare and Community Development organize members for the preparation of the land for cultivation and apportion to members. The 4ha land has been fenced with wire mash to avoid animal?s entry as well as weeds been cleared.
Mounting of fence with wire mash on the land
Develop All Year Water Source to Service The Plots
Ghana Federation of Disabled has developed water source to the plots to enable them do all year round farming and produce vegetables on large commercial bases to supply to the various markets within and nearby places in the country.
Development of water source to the farmland
ACQUIRE OF FOUR SETS OF SOLAR IRRIGATION SYSTEM FOR THE TWO SITES
Solar irrigation system has been acquired to ensure effective flow of water to the plots. This is done to make sure that all year-round farming for vegetable cultivation for members within the district.
PROCURE AND DISTRIBUTE PLANTING MATERIALS INCLUDING SEEDS AND SEEDLINDS
Some planting materials such as trowel, pruning shears, watering can, garden rake, angled shovel, digging up weeds, gardening gloves, kneeling pad, wheelbarrow, hand-held weeder including seeds and seedlings has been procured and distributed among members. These seeds have been certified and has been tested and proven by certified research institution and have a record high yields, high germination rate, adaptability to adverse environmental conditions and free from disease and pests.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION.
This is crucial to achieve the expected objectives. The monitoring and evaluation team members has put in measures place to assess the progress of the implementation. This included the use of work plan, activities scheduled with the implementation plan, random visitation to regular monthly meetings, training program monitored, checking of reports on activities carried out among others. The PMT also brought their expertise in the purchase of materials and carrying out of activities. During the monitoring the team also encouraged them to find alternative forms of livelihoods and dedicate themselves throughout the implementation stages.
The team was much particular about the increasing effects of climate change in the area and entreated all farmers to be circumspect in their farming activities so as to safeguard the environment.
Activities undertaken during the second phase of the project
ACTIVITY ONE: UNDERTAKE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE DISTRICT ASSEMBLY ON THE PROJECT
Some selected stakeholders including the District Assembly were invited to once again engage on the project in the District, successes after the first implementation, challenges and the way forward to overcome the challenges encountered during the first project implementation were addressed. This stakeholder?s engagement meeting was graced by the Honourable DCE of Banda District Mr. Emmanuel Akonneh and Chairman of the PWDs Mr, E.Y. Donkor, the traditional leaders, the district Coordinating Director, AEAs, the District Director of Agriculture, staff of Social Welfare and Community Development, Religious Leaders, and some selected beneficiary members. Honourable Mary Konneh was absent since she is no more in the office. Mr Sampson Iddrisu once again who is a staff of Banda District Assembly under the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development on behalf of Ghana Federation of Disabled (PWDs) Banda branch, used the opportunity to brief stakeholders on the project deliverables, expectations and successes so far after the implementation of the first quarter activities. The DCE since his first time in office was very much grateful for this good initiative for choosing to work with the PWDs in his district. He also thanked UNDP/GEF/SGP for the funding support. He on behalf of his people in Banda, pledged to practice what they would be taught. He however said that the past D.C.E. mentioned that the district is deprived of many things including a weekly market to bring many people to the district capital for trading activities and a polyclinic in the District. He is looking forward to the resolution.
The District Coordinating Director since he is also new in the District entreated PWDs to be very serious with the project and that the AEAs will be visiting them to ascertain whether they are practicing what they were taught or not. The Director of Social Welfare and Community Development Mr. Felix Donkor advised the PWDs to take the project very seriously as it will not only increase their incomes, but also remove over dependency on the Assembly. He also encouraged them to take the project as their own, as ownership is very key and that is what will ensure sustainability.
ACTIVITY TWO: RESOURCE THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICES TO OFFER ALL YEAR-ROUND TRAINING AND SUPERVISION SERVICES TO THE PWDs
As part of the key activities in this project, that is resource the agricultural extension officers to offer all year round training and supervision services to the PWDs in the Banda District, 10 agricultural extension officers within the district has been resourced and provided with some stationeries and logistics such as hiring of motorbikes to the site, fuel, cutlass, wellington boots, tape measures, notepad, pens, etc to ensure that all year round training and supervision services are offered to the PWDs in the district.
ACTIVITY THREE: SUPPORT EACH BENEFICIARY PWD TO CONSTRUCT PENS FOR GOATS OR BIRDS
75 pens constructed across the communities within the district namely (Ahenkro 4, Kanka1, bongase 7, bui 3, nyire 8, Fawoman 1o, Wewa 6, sabiye 6, bofie 4, biema 5, boase 7, dorbo 8, kojee 4 and Tainanu 4) and distributed 50 goats, 30 sheep and 200 local birds to 250 PWDs beneficiaries in the district. The purpose is to integrate animal rearing to the vegetable farming that the group members are practising as well as generating income to members. The feed is also used to prepare organic manure for the farm.
ACTIVITY FOUR: TRAIN PWDs IN ORGANIC COMPOST PREPARATION AND APPLICATION AND ORGANIC PESTICIDE AND APPLICATION.
To maximize the eco-friendly agro-ecosystem service function, agricultural technology innovation efforts are needed to train PWDs members to improve the understanding and skills of members, included the farmer?s behavior regarding the use of chemical fertilizers. A two-day training workshop was organized (one for each zone Sabiye & Ahenkro) to increase their level of knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and motivate members on sustainable farming activities.
During the training it was realized that members had great interest since the materials can be easily found and the technology would easily be adopted by members. The agriculture extension Officer in the person of Mr. Dominic Sarkodie who is the facilitator stated that, the best solution to improve the condition of land is using a solution of Effective Microorganism, organic fertilizer and pesticides that can be made by utilizing the materials around the house as well as the farmers? fields. Participants showed positive response to the training activities in which members were very enthusiastic in asking questions and discussion. As many as 75% members actively asked and expressed their opinions. Questions that arose related to some of the benefits of each of the materials used for producing organic compost, organic pesticides to control pest populations, reducing the doses of chemical fertilizer etc. The knowledge and skills of members were increased, and this can be used to measure the success rate of technology dissemination
ACTIVITY FIVE: SET UP A PILOT AND DEMONSTRATION PLOT TO HELP TRAIN THE PWDs
In collaboration with MOFA, a set up plot demonstration farm was established in Ahenkro to conduct the extension activities on agricultural technology and was easy for farmers to see the positive results of the method.
ACTIVITY SIX: SUPPORT THE PWDs IN THE HARVESTING AND SALES OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE
As part of ensuring that, PWDs are supported in the harvesting and sales of agricultural produce produced by the PWDs, some selected market women in the Jama market in the Savannah region; Tain, Sibiniso, Wenchi all in the Bono region and Techiman in the Bono East regional capital have been contacted and brought to the farm with the support of Agric extension officers to ensure proper, easy and quality harvesting as well as marketing that will attract customers in their various market places in the country.
ACTIVITY SEVEN: PROVIDE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ON DIGITAL VILLAGE SAVING.
Since there is no financial/saving institution in the Banda district, the PWDs lacked saving habits. An awareness creation workshop was held to sensitize them on the need to save money. People who were interested among the PWDs to save their money in the digital village saving component of the project were registered. They were further trained in the management of the scheme. The registered members were grouped into one with a number 25. The grouping was done voluntarily as members themselves formed their own groups under the guidance of MOFA and Social Welfare and the facilitator. Each of the members was given a registration form to register and membership card to keep records of money to be paid. Also, the group members were given a metal box with three padlocks on it. The box was kept by one member in the group whiles the keys to the three padlocks were kept by three different members. The secretary, Kofi Boamah was provided with a notebook to record the contributions of the members and also in the membership book (Susu Card). A meeting day and time has been scheduled by the group once a week. Member contributions are paid and recorded on such days. The chairperson for each chairs the meetings.
ACTIVITY EIGHT: MONITORING AND EVALUATION.
This is crucial to achieve the expected objectives. The monitoring and evaluation team members have put in measures to assess the progress of the implementation. This included the use of work plan, activities scheduled with the implementation plan, random visitation to regular monthly meetings, training programs monitored, checking of reports on activities carried out among others. The PMT also brought their expertise in the purchase of materials and carrying out of activities. During the monitoring the team also encouraged them to find alternative forms of livelihoods and dedicate themselves throughout the implementation stages.
The team was much particular about the increasing effects of climate change in the area and entreated all farmers to be circumspect in their farming activities to safeguard the environment.
Activities planned but not completed in this reporting period and reasons for delay
All activities were completed
Activities planned to be completed in the next reporting period.
1.Train PWDs on climate smart sustainable agriculture and animal rearing
2.Train the PWDs in organic compost preparation and application and organic pesticide and application
3. Set up a pilot and demonstration plot to help train the PWDs
4. Acquire of the necessary logistics and farm inputs
5. Organize the PWDs into two groups (one in Banda Ahenkro and another in a location of choice)
6. Identify suitable sites for all year-round farming (2ha for each group)
7.Prepare the land for cultivation and apportion it to the PWDs (Each family at least two beds)
8.Develop all year water source to service the plots
9. of four sets of solar irrigation system for the two sites
10..Procure and distribute planting materials including seeds and seedling
11. Resource the Agricultural extension offices to offer all year-round training and supervision services to the PWDs.
12. Provide education and awareness on digital village saving
Experience, lessons learnt and issues in this reporting period.
1. The involvement of major stakeholders such as District Agriculture Director, Agriculture Extension Agent, Traditional authorities, District Assembly, Assembly members, regional and national team members of GFD and market women aroused and sustained the interests of GFD members in Banda Branch.
2. The enthusiasm shown by the beneficiaries towards the project and activities on supporting PWDs to undertake farm-based activities and supporting each beneficiary PWD to construct pens for goats or birds.
