Project Detail

Demonstrating sustainable resource management for arable land conservation and increased crop productivity in Lernavan and Shenavan settlements

A comprehensive program is offered to strengthen the capacity of Lernavan and Shenavan settlements, which is fighting against land degradation, climate change, rural poverty and for solving food security issues.
The project envisages the introduction of a sustainable land-water management system through the introduction of high-value crop cultivation technologies, the construction of a gravity innovative irrigation system, and the restoration of community lands and industrial landscapes that were damaged.It is also planned to strengthen the local opportunities for the investment of smart agricultural practices. The project will directly contribute to the development of 250 farms in Lernavan and Shenavan settlements , which will restart to cultivate around 120 hectares of land that has not been cultivated for years. Also, resistant food crops will be invested in and the livelihoods of the population will be improved, which, in turn, will contribute to the sustainable usage of the industrial landscapes, and the mitigation of the poverty and emigration in the community.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Lernavan Climate Revolving Investment Civil Fund

Country:

Armenia

Area Of Work:

Land Degradation

Operational Phase:

OP7 ?Y2 (Jul 21-Jun 22)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 261,330.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 32,921.00

Project Number:

ARM/SGP/OP7/Y2/CORE/LD/22/07

Start Date:

6/2022

End Date:

12/2023

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Project sustainability

? The systems created in the communities and the introduced crop rotation of high-value crops will contribute to the restoration of agricultural lands. ? The constructed irrigation systems will enable irrigating the land plots of 250 households, contributing to sustainable incomes of the farms. ? Sustainability of the project results is also conditioned by the fact that the irrigation systems are managed by the Climate Civil Investment Revolving Fund, that will use its revenues and savings to other vital environmental initiatives of the community.

Capacity - Building Component

All the planned activities on introducing an integrated crop farming system in Lernavan and Shenavan settlements will be accompanied by targeted capacity building, which will also include knowledge and awareness raising on cultivating high-value agricultural crops.

Replication of project activities

Innovative approaches of the project will ensure the livelihood and can be replicated in other communities with identical problems, such as high energy cost for irrigation.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

N/A

Linkages gef projects

N/A

Planning gef grant

N/A

Planning non gef grant

N/A

Policy Influence

N/A

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project aims to rehabilitate land resources in Lernavan and Shenavan settlements in Lori region by introducing new agricultural practices and technologies, collecting mountainous springs and deep-water and constructing an innovative irrigation system. These measures will essentially contribute to restoration of arable and other agricultural lands that have been abandoned for years. It will contribute to the reduction of poverty in the community and to the improvement of livelihoods and the food security of the population. Water collected form springs and seeps will be directed to irrigation and for household purposes. This, in turn, will promote cultivation of high-value agricultural crops adapted to climatic changes. 970 community residents, who will be able to use their lands as a result of the project intervention, will directly benefit from the operation of irrigation system. The project will also support the development of practical education and training.

Gender Focus

The project direct beneficiaries are all members of the project communities. However, it should be taken into consideration that the project positively influences the economic well-being of households, where major responsibility is carried by women. In both communities, a large number of households is led by women and single mothers, as the percentage of men's labor migration is high and agricultural work is chiefly handled by women. Moreover, women have a key role in achieving food security through crop cultivation, planting and adapting new high-value crops, that will help the community withstand global climatic changes, and increase local income.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The project plans to promote public awareness through a large information campaign, implemented by widely sharing the project results, experiences, and lessons learned with stakeholders at regional level and national level through project reports, public events, and media.

Policy Impact

The proposed project contributes to the objectives of the GEF SGP OP Country Programme Strategy by addressing the SGP?s Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries, and Food Security strategic initiative. It is expected that the project will create enabling conditions for local farmers to get sustainable incomes from irrigation and cultivation of about 120 ha of formally idle or rain-fed farmlands.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The residents of the community will be well informed on the implementation process of the project; information leaflets will be developed and distributed, and articles will be published in the regional media and online platforms about the progress and achievements of the project.

Notable Community Participation

Within the framework of the project implementation, special attention will be paid to the involvement of youth in the project. For this purpose, the project team will encourage local youth to participate in meetings, discussions and trainings. These meetings will increase their level of awareness and knowledge on issues related to the complex management of natural resources, improvment of ecosystem, and provision of livelihoods for local communities. The trainings will also focus on the organization of sustainable horticulture, sustainable land management and related environmental issues. 20 teachers and 50 pupils from Lernavan and Shenavan settlements? schools will raise their awareness on sustainable land and water use practices.

Project Results

The project will produce the following results:

? 120 hectares of degraded lands are rehabilitated, further degradation of lands is prevented and a feasible opportunity for cultivation of high-value crops is created
? About 17,000 meter-long of irrigation system, equipped with energy efficient pumping station is built in Lernavan and Shenavan settlements to contribute to rehabilitation of community degraded land
? Proper management of water resources in Lernavan and Shenavan settlements are introduced through constructing water reservoirs with 13,000 m3 capacity that are fully equipped for collecting scattered water from the mountain seeps and springs
? The capacity of 970 residents of the community in sustainable horticulture, sustainable water and land management and biodiversity issues is strengthened
? The systems constructed in the Lernavan settlement are operated by ?Lernavan? Climate Revolving Investment Civil Fund, where the community residents have access to their own water resources and pay an affordable price for irrigation water.

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Indicators

Empowerment

Innovative financial mechanisms put in place through SGP project 1

Biophysical

Hectares of degraded land rest 120

Livehood

Number of households who have benefited* from SGP project 400

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