Project Detail

Introduction of low carbon solutions for sustainable management of land and water resources in Tsovak community of Gegharkunik region

The arable lands of Tsovak settlement constitute 645 hectares of arable lands, out of which 70% is not irrigated due to inaccessibility of water resources. The hydrotechnical systems of the settlement were built around 60-70 years ago and are not being operated due to deterioration of the irrigation infrastructure.
The majority of the communal arable lands are not being cultivated and are mainly used as hay lands. In some places people cultivate cereals and perennial crops, that have a low productivity and profitability due to dry conditions. This results in land degradation of most of the arable lands.
Taking into account the applied irigation modality in Tsovak community, the water losses comprise about 70% (as per the official sources). The public awareness on new innovative approaches on land cultivation and irrigation is low and needs to be increased through demonstration of the advantages of the new agroecological technologies and innovative irrigation practices.
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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Blejan environmental, social, business support NGO

Country:

Armenia

Area Of Work:

Climate Change Mitigation

Operational Phase:

OP7 Y3 (July 22-June 23)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 28,000.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 27,840.00

Project Number:

ARM/SGP/OP7/Y3/STAR/CC/22/12

Start Date:

12/2022

End Date:

12/2024

Status:

Currently under execution

Project Characteristics and Results

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

According to the official statistics, the poverty rate in Gegharkunik comprises 48.1%. Although, most of the population of Gegharkunik region is engaged in agriculture, it does not ensure sufficient income for sustaining decent livelihood. Hence, the project will contribute to increased household income by 2-3 times through rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure, and create additional income for 300 families engaged in agricultural works. In addition, new agro-ecological techniques will be introduced, such as drip irrigation, high value crop cultivation, etc, that will also contribute to socio-economic development of the region. Particularly, it will support diversification of income, creation of additional benefits.

Gender Focus

Considering the peculiarity of the region and settlement in terms of agriculture, the majority of families has women engaged in agriculture, as men either migrate for work or become contractual military servants. While men partake in farming to some extent, women are engaged in the main cultivation and harvesting. The project envisages to ensure of about 50% involvement of women, who will also participate in trainings and other demo activities.

Notable Community Participation

Due to high rate of unemployment, mainly youth tend to leave the community. To address this issue, the project will strive to engage the community youth in the project implementation process to create employment and income opportunities for them. Simultaneously, it is planned to raise public awareness on global environmental issues through practical trainings and information sharing, with a special attention to reduce indifference among youth and schoolchildren.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

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Linkages gef projects

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Planning gef grant

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Planning non gef grant

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Capacity - Building Component

Taking into account the capacity development experience of Blejan NGO on various topics ranging from global environmental issues to agriculture and education, the project plans to conduct four workshops and trainings on land degradation and carbon stock, climate change adaptation, new innovative irrigation methods, as well as high value crops cultivation.

Replication of project activities

The project has a potential of replication, since the described problem is typical to rural communities of Armenia and the project is in line with the national regulatory frameworks on sustainable rural development and land management.

Policy Impact

The project is in line with RA Government Programme for 2021-2026, 2014-2025 Strategic Program of Prospective Development, as well as national long-term strategies on development of food security, climate change adaptation and other sectors.

Policy Influence

The project team conducted negotiations and has already reached certain agreements with Water User Company (WUC) over the tariffs for the community water users. In particular, it is envisaged to provide certain volume of water to residents with a lower price to ensure that socially vulnerable population will benefit from it free of charge. It is expected that WUC will use this practice also after the project completion, which may be replicated by other communities as well.

Project sustainability

The project will create opportunity to cultivate more lands, introduce variety of crops, apply water-efficient technologies that will contribute to improved livelihoods. Moreover, the Water User Company will be able to reduce its electricity costs due to the installed PV system and provide water through the rehabilitated irrigation system, thus increasing its revenues. The community will hand over the pumping station and pipes to Water Users? Company management, in exchange of which the company will come to agreement over the water tariff for the residents. It is worth mentioning that for the first 3 years those assets will be registered in NGO?s balance sheet and only after consent over tariffs and other benefits for the community, the assets will be handed over to the company.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The project will disseminate information on project progress, meeting and trainings via different channels and media, including but not limited to municipality, schools, special announcement in the municipality. Wider segment of the society will have a chance to get abreast on the project information also through the NGO website, regional and social media.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project will focus on capacity building on land degradation, carbon stock, climate change adaptation, new agroecological technologies. The knowledge gained and lessons learned will be shared through project reports, public events or news among regional (Vardenis community, Gegharkunik region) and national (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry on Territorial Administration and Infrastructure) stakeholders, local and international organizations and so forth.

Project Results

As a result of project implementation:
? Water losses in the community reduced by 40 %, water saving increased by 30 % due to new agricultural technologies and innovative irrigation practices, applied by 5 farmers.
? 500 hectares of arable land in Tsovak settlement became irrigated and returned to cultivation due to rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure.
? 60 farmers and land users, representatives of around 15 local self-government units and management institutions increased their knowledge and capacities on land degradation and carbon stock, climate change adaptation, new methods on agricultural technologies and innovative irrigation; at least 5 out of them cultivated new high value crops.
? About 300 direct beneficiaries improved their livelihood due to rehabilitated irrigation infrastructure and introduced new agroecological practices.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Tonnes of CO2 decreased or avoided by energy efficient and renewable energy technologies or applying environmentally sustainable transport practices introduced by SGP Project 14

Empowerment

Number and type of support linkages established with local governments/authorities 1

Livehood

Number of households who have benefited* from SGP project 80

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