Communicating with persons with varying disabilities (blind, deaf, physical and mental) challenged the project team, the facilitators and the beneficiaries. That is why it was important that their caregivers participate in all aspects of the project to help with the transfer of information and knowledge. To support the retention of knowledge, a brochure will be developed on rainwater treatment and conservation. An audio and braille version of the brochure will also be developed for dissemination. The project achievements will be highlighted through various media including online engagements with the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the Caribbean Natural and Resource Institute and the partners associated with the Essex Valley Agricultural Project; through community meetings with various stakeholders the Member of Parliament and the Minister of Agriculture to inform them of the project and the positive impact it was having on the beneficiaries. A project sign will be designed and implemented in the community to highlight the project?s contribution to the community.
Planning non gef grant
Knowledge of the project by the implementors of the Essex Valley project has encouraged them to include PwDs in the agricultural aspect of their project. They have therefore involved the beneficiaries in their activities, including meetings. The farmers will also benefit from the use of facilities, such as a cold-storage facility for products being constructed by the Essex Valley project. The success of the project is an indication that it could be a best practice for replication in other communities, including providing the technical and financial support necessary to improve the economic conditions of persons with disabilities. Other groups of persons with disabilities, especially in St. James and Clarendon, have indicated their interest in participating in and supporting a project such as this that will significantly improve their standard of living.
Capacity - Building Component
Local capacities will be enhanced through training, exposure, affiliations with government and private partners, and farmers? groups. This will assist in achieving the objectives of the project especially in reducing land degradation, improving knowledge, and creating livelihood. Their inclusion in the project will help to build their self-esteem and remove them from the drudgery of their lives. The fact that they were also a part of an innovative and historic project designed to place persons with disabilities in sustainable, environmental and livelihood activities. The beneficiaries will be exposed to training in areas of farming to which they were never previously exposed. This include focus on climate smart agriculture, exposing them to non-chemical fertilizers and pest control solutions. They will also collaborate more with one another as they will be brought together physically and electronically to share their views and participate in discussions. These experiences will improve their ability to speak more confidently in forums of these types. A major capacity development expected is self-esteem building. This will be manifested in their ability to earn, increase purchasing power and independence.
Gender Focus
Men, women, persons with disabilities and youth will benefit from the project in three major ways:
? Capacity-building through training in climate smart agricultural practices, e.g., use of organic plant protection and treatment.
? Receipt of farming tools (machete, fork, spray pan), climate resilient varieties of seeds, seedlings, organic fertilizer, fungicide and pesticides, water tanks, water and drip systems tank stands, a wheelbarrow and training,
? Increased independence through livelihood opportunities.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
N/A
Policy Impact
N/A
Notable Community Participation
The focus in on persons with disabilities of all ages.
Project sustainability
The partnership established between the CDA and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will continue based on their intense and active participation in the project; strengthened by their commitment made at the Closing Ceremony held on July 6, 2023. Support will include technical advice and provision of agricultural items when available through that entity. This was demonstrated by their presentation of tools, including forks, shovel, spades, and machetes to the beneficiaries at the above event. They also again expressed their motivation by the fact that it was the first project of that kind in St. Elizabeth that RADA was involved in.
Through the partnership between the CDA and the National Irrigation Commission?s Essex Valley Agricultural project, the farmers will continue to benefit from technical advice; training in utilizing their crops in producing agricultural by-products to increase the returns on their investment in the farms; as well as access to a cold storage facility to prevent loss of income from spoilage. Fifty percent (50%) of the farmers will also benefit from continuous supply of water through the NIC?s Essex Valley Irrigation system.
Beneficiaries, through their introduction to the community farmers? group are gradually becoming members and are poised to benefit from technical advice, training, and water supply. The Knowledge, skills and experience gained throughout the life of the project (24 months), supported by a brochure on plant and water management, will enable their informed actions related to their continued motivation, growth of their products and expansion of their farms.
The Combined Disabilities Association will always be available to provide guidance where possible; and continue to monitor the project and the development of the beneficiaries who remain part of our membership. The CDA will also continue to encourage other participants to become members of the farmers? group.
Policy Influence
While the project did not directly influence any government policy, it allowed the group to address aspects of the Disabilities Act of 2014, specifically the enhancement of economic empowerment of PwDs through entrepreneurship and employment. The project also supports Jamaica?s national objective to increase food security and encourage nutrition diversification.
Project Results
Output 1.1: Output 1.1- Land prepared and reforested with timber and fruit trees for agro-forestry - Nine (9) plots of land were prepared and cleared. Mulching was done to keep the moisture in the soil due to its dry nature resulting from annual and prolonged droughts. A number of participants assisted one another in the land preparation exercise; demonstrating community support and commitment.
Output 1.2 ? Climate-smart seedlings purchased, distributed, and planted - A project management committee was established that includes members of the project team and 3 project participants. Out of those bi-monthly committee meeting, participants completed a farmers? profile outlining what farming activities and crops they are interested in. As a result, sweet pepper, cucumber, tomato, melon and scallion seeds were procured and distributed to the farmers. Two (2) persons are producing melons and scallions while all 9 are producing sweet peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. These crops were selected because of their lucrative and in-demand market opportunities, as well as their very short production/yield time which will result in fast return on investment.
Output 1.3: Training conducted in Climate Smart Agriculture and plant modelling - Thirteen (13) community members (6 males; 7 females) participated in training ?Know your Environment; Protect your Crops? held at the Lititz Moravian Church Hall. The participants included the 9 directly targeted persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their support persons (family members). Training was facilitated by the Extension Officer from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). Of all the participants, 100% rated the training as excellent; 90% said information was clearly presented and understood; 30% appreciated the new advice, but still believed in the traditional ways.
Output 2.1: 10 x 1,000-gallon water tanks procured, distributed, and installed for persons with disabilities ? Twenty-six (26) 1,000-gallon water tanks were distributed to 10 households. Participants had to assist in building bases for the tanks. Participants also procured additional pipe fittings and water for their tanks (The participants? and community cash and in-kind contributions amount to over 20% of the cost for this output.
Output 2.2: Agricultural plots established for diverse crop production - Nine (9) agricultural plots have been established. Each plot is managed by a person with disabilities, supported by a relative or friend. Despite the destruction by pests and frost of entire crops produced by two participants (twice for one participant and occasional loss of crops through drought or heavy rains, all participants have reaped and sold products from their farms. This success was the result of the provision of additional seeds, use of income from the sale of unaffected crops and advice on soil and plant care from the RADA Extension Officer. Irrigation drip systems were also procured for each participant. Participants contributed in part to the installation of the system. A number of the participants have joined the farmers group organized by the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) so that they can get additional benefits including agricultural training, and access to irrigation. The NIC has trainings scheduled for June which will greatly complement the agricultural trainings started through this project.
Output 2.3: Brochure developed on rainwater treatment and conservation ? Brochure drafted and include topics shared during the various training sessions with the farmers such as: integrated pest management; on-farm water management and rainwater harvesting systems; irrigation methods, systems, and scheduling. The document was submitted to SGP team for review and feedback, which are now being incorporated in the document for finalization.
Output 3.1 ? Capacity building workshops on land and water management conducted ? Twelve (12) community members (6 males; 6 females) participated in training ?Water Management & Drought
Monitoring held at the Lititz Moravian Church Hall. The participants included the 7 directly targeted persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their support persons (family members). Training was facilitated by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA)and Meteorological Service of Jamaica (MET). Of all the participants rated the training as excellent; 70% said information was clearly presented and understood; 60% appreciated the new advice.
Output 3.2 ? Increased livelihood opportunities for PwDs in Lititz - Participants were encouraged to record their revenues and expenses for each crop cycle. Over $1,640,000.00 have been realized from the sale of crops by the farmers. Five (5) of the beneficiaries invested in other crops that were not initially targeted. These farmers diversified/expanded their farms into the production of sorrel, cabbage, scallion and peanuts. Sorrel is a crop that is widely sold and for which there is a high demand during the Christmas season. The inputs for these additional crops were not procured with project funds, but from the beneficiaries? earnings generated from sales of the crops received from the project. Additionally, three (3) of the farmers benefited from training in scallion powder production offered by RADA.
Output 3.3 ? Emergency Fund established for project beneficiaries ? Emergency fund established for project beneficiaries with the agreement of the beneficiaries where each participant would deposit a monthly amount of not less than $5,000. This fund will provide financial support for purchasing seeds, farming tools, etc. due to losses caused by unfavorable weather conditions, pests or theft. The account bears the signature of the CDA?s Chairman, Treasurer, a staff member and a representative from the community. The account currently has a balance of JMD5,000. Arrangements are being made for beneficiaries to make deposits to the account.
