GBURUMANI COMMUNITY BASED: LAND RESTORATION PROJECT
Increasing land degradation in Gburumani caused by wildfires, sand wining, unsustainable farming practices, inappropriate wood fuel extraction and in appropriate charcoal production has led to loss of biodiversity, poor farm yield, out ? migration, gender inequality and household poverty.
In the past the land was very fertile and the bulk of the population relied on it for a their daily sustenance. The land could regenerate itself after damage because there were no large numbers of burrowed pits created in the name of re-graveling and reshaping of roads. Farming activities were at a smallholder level and not mechanized. Economic trees such as Shea, Dawadawa, Mango and many others were not felled for wood fuel. The biodiversity situation was one of the best and it was easy to get non-forest wood products such as indigenous fruits, medicinal herbs, material for basket weaving and grasses to roof homes. The secret that sustained these activities was steadfastness of the people to traditional laws and norms, which has broken down of late due to modernity.
Currently, the land is degraded at a speedy rate with wildfires at the top of the list. None of the roads on the project area is tarred as such it calls for regraveling and reshaping annually. This has raised the number of borrowed pits from 30 to 235 within four years. All of which are left unattended. Subsistence farming has given way to mechanized farming and over 1,000 trees are uprooted annually to expand rice farms. The situation is worsened by the fact that economic trees are used for wood fuel with impunity. If actions are not taken immediately to safeguard the situation, most of the land would be degraded in future.
To forestall this problem the Gburumani Community Based Land Restoration Project was initiated with the goal to promote community involvement in land restoration and sustainable management of natural resources for the socio-economic well being of the people. This project is in line with GEF?s effort to restore a large mass of geographic area of degraded land and promote sustainable use of natural resources for the Improvement of the socio ?economic well being of the people. Moreover, it is in line with the Ministry of Lands and Forestry?s programme to restore degraded land to improve its fertility to reduce poverty. This is because over 60% of Ghanaian depends directly on the land for their living. Besides, the Northern Regional Coordinating Council in conjunction with EPA and the degraded districts such as Tolon / Kumbungu district have launch a serious campaign against land degradation especially with wildfire. This is to improve the Soil fertility level of the Region. This project hopes to support these measures put in place to reverse land degradation.
2.2 MAIN OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this project is to promote community involvement in land restoration and sustainable management of natural resources for the socio ?economic well being of the people of Gburumani and its environs.
2.3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of the project are:
- To restore degraded lands through improved soil fertility techniques, wildfires prevention, natural regeneration establishment and enrichment planting.
- To promote sustainable livelihood support for production for honey, poultry and small ruminants.
- To develop and sustain the capacities of local communities in natural resource management.
2.3 INTENDED OUTPUTS
The intended outputs of the project are:
? At least 70% of degraded land in Gbrumani traditional area restored through wildfire prevention, natural regeneration establishment, enrichment planting and improved soil fertility techniques.
? At least 60% of affected farmers introduced to sustainable livelihood support for production of honey, poultry and small ruminants.
? Capacities of 70% of local community in natural resource management developed and sustained.
3. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Output 1.0 At least 70% of degraded land restored through wildfire prevention, Natural regeneration establishment, enrichment planting and improved Soil fertility techniques
Planned Activities
1.1 Introduce weekly environmental awareness programmes on local FM Stations.
The project will promote weekly environmental education programmes on Radio Savannah and Radio Justice. These FM Stations have wide coverage, which includes the project location. Resource persons will come from EPA, MOFA, FSD, GNFS and GDCP (NGO). The activity will be carried out throughout the project period.
1.2 Organize community fora in 5 communities in the project area.
The community fora will promote environmental awareness programmes in 5 communities to be covered by the project to develop awareness, change attitudes and behaviours of the people to be able to contain environmental problems. Resource persons will come from EPA, MOFA, FSD,GNFS and GDCP. The activity will come off within the 1st quarter of the project.
1.3 Organize two (2) natural resource management workshops for 20 farmers.
Two (2) workshops will be organized for 40 farmers on natural resource management. These will serve as trainer of trainers for the other community members in Gburumani and its environs. These workshops will help the farmers acquire skills and knowledge on judicious use of natural resources for sustainability. Resource persons will come from EPA, SARI, FSD and MOFA and the activity will come on within the early part of the second quarter of the project.
1.4 Introduce improved soil fertility technologies to trained farmers.
Four (4) hands ? on ? training will be organized for 50 farmers to acquire improved soil fertility technologies. These farmers after the training will train the rest of the community on the same programme. Resource persons will comes from SARI and MOFA. The activity will come on the 3rd quarter of the project.
1.5 Embark on intensive wildfire prevention and management.
A hundred (100) members anti ? wildfire volunteers squad will be formed and trained to serve as watchdog committee to ensure responsible environmental behaviour. Twenty (20) each will come from each of the 5 communities. They will be trained in fire fighting and first aid techniques. After the training they will be issued with identification cards and Wellington boots. The squad will also help the communities to formulate their own environmental rules and regulations to govern the environment. Resources persons will come from GNFS and EPA. The activity will take place in second quarter of project.
1.6 Demarcate 100 acres degraded area and put them under natural regeneration and organize enrichment planting.
A 100 acre degraded land would be demarcated and put under natural regeneration within the 3rd quarter of the project period. The chiefs and people of Gburumani have committed land for the project. Seedlings will be supplied from a local nursery attendant in the community to undertake enrichment planting in the reserve for the 1st year. The reserve will be protected from wild fires and encroachers from the public by a security / anti ? wildfire volunteer squad to be put in place. Resource persons will come from Survey Department, GNFS and FSD.
Output 2.0 At least 60% of affected farmers introduced to sustainable livelihood support for production of honey, poultry and small ruminants.
Planned Activities
2.1 Identify and train 60 farmers in the production of honey, poultry and small ruminants.
A training programme in beekeeping, poultry and small ruminants will be organized for 60 interested community members and interested members of the adjourning communities to serve as alternative income source. Thus reducing the burden on the Savanna forest and therefore promoting natural regeneration. The training would be carried out within the 4th and 5th quarters. MOFA staff will be used as Resource persons.
2.2 Identify market sources for honey, poultry and small ruminants for trained farmers.
Market sources will be sought for honey, poultry products and small ruminants. The markets shops, which sell honey on their selves, would be contacted for market for honey. Hotels, restaurants and chop bars will be contacted for market for poultry products and small ruminants. The activity will take place by the 7th quarter. Staff of CASLID will be responsible.
2.3 Provide revolving credit scheme for farmers on alternative livelihood support.
A revolving credit will be provided for 20 farmers. Among them, at least 6 farmers each will go for bee keeping poultry and small ruminants. The division will be done basically on interest of every farmer. The activity will be carried out in the 5th & 6th quarter with resource persons from NGSSI.
Output 3.0 Developed and sustained the capacities of 70% of local community members in natural resource management and land restoration.
Planned Activities
3.1 Establish a community nursery
A community nursery of 6,000-seedling capacity will be established in Gburumani by the community dam to supply seedlings to all communities involved in the project. A group of 5 people thus 2 men and 3 women will be trained in nursery management to look after the nursery. The nursery will generate income for the project from sale of seedlings. The activity will be done in the 5th and 6th quarter with resource persons from EPA, MOFA and FSD.
3.2 Establish a multipurpose woodlot and fodder Banks
To reduce the pressure on the forest as a source of fodder for livestock and energy, a 50-hectare multipurpose woodlot will be established to provide fodder for livestock and to supply wood fuel for the community. These will improve livestock production in the area. Fast growing trees will be supplied from the community nursery for propagation in the multipurpose woodlot. Seeds of improved forage species will also be broadcast to grow freely and serve as feed for livestock. The activity will be carried out within the 3rd quarter and resource persons will come from EPA, FSD, and MOFA.
3.3 Establish Agro forestry in farms of interested farmers
The project will encourage 50 interested farmers to establish Agro forestry in their farms to reduce pressure on the forest as well as improve soil fertility. The activity will cover 50 hectares. The activity will be carried out by 6th quarter and resource persons will come from MOFA, FSD, and SARI.
3.4 Prepare participatory land use plan
All the (5) communities involved in the project will be helped to draw a participatory land use plan for land use for the project. Resource persons will come from Town and Country Planning and Survey Department. The activity will be carried out by the end of 2nd quarter.
3.5 Reinstate Burrowed Pits
At least 60% of the 135 burrowed pits in the project area will be reinstated. Carefully prepared compost will be prepared on site of each burrowed pit and this will be spread to 300mm thick. The ecology of the area will be improved with fast growing resilient and economic plants such as Pumpkin, Jatropha, Moringa, Mahogany, Dawadawa, Cashew, Mango and Cassia. In future, the rest of the burrowed could be developed into fishponds according to the collective planning wishes of the communities. The activity will be carried out throughout the project period of eight (8) quarters with resource persons from MOFA.
In the past the land was very fertile and the bulk of the population relied on it for a their daily sustenance. The land could regenerate itself after damage because there were no large numbers of burrowed pits created in the name of re-graveling and reshaping of roads. Farming activities were at a smallholder level and not mechanized. Economic trees such as Shea, Dawadawa, Mango and many others were not felled for wood fuel. The biodiversity situation was one of the best and it was easy to get non-forest wood products such as indigenous fruits, medicinal herbs, material for basket weaving and grasses to roof homes. The secret that sustained these activities was steadfastness of the people to traditional laws and norms, which has broken down of late due to modernity.
Currently, the land is degraded at a speedy rate with wildfires at the top of the list. None of the roads on the project area is tarred as such it calls for regraveling and reshaping annually. This has raised the number of borrowed pits from 30 to 235 within four years. All of which are left unattended. Subsistence farming has given way to mechanized farming and over 1,000 trees are uprooted annually to expand rice farms. The situation is worsened by the fact that economic trees are used for wood fuel with impunity. If actions are not taken immediately to safeguard the situation, most of the land would be degraded in future.
To forestall this problem the Gburumani Community Based Land Restoration Project was initiated with the goal to promote community involvement in land restoration and sustainable management of natural resources for the socio-economic well being of the people. This project is in line with GEF?s effort to restore a large mass of geographic area of degraded land and promote sustainable use of natural resources for the Improvement of the socio ?economic well being of the people. Moreover, it is in line with the Ministry of Lands and Forestry?s programme to restore degraded land to improve its fertility to reduce poverty. This is because over 60% of Ghanaian depends directly on the land for their living. Besides, the Northern Regional Coordinating Council in conjunction with EPA and the degraded districts such as Tolon / Kumbungu district have launch a serious campaign against land degradation especially with wildfire. This is to improve the Soil fertility level of the Region. This project hopes to support these measures put in place to reverse land degradation.
2.2 MAIN OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this project is to promote community involvement in land restoration and sustainable management of natural resources for the socio ?economic well being of the people of Gburumani and its environs.
2.3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of the project are:
- To restore degraded lands through improved soil fertility techniques, wildfires prevention, natural regeneration establishment and enrichment planting.
- To promote sustainable livelihood support for production for honey, poultry and small ruminants.
- To develop and sustain the capacities of local communities in natural resource management.
2.3 INTENDED OUTPUTS
The intended outputs of the project are:
? At least 70% of degraded land in Gbrumani traditional area restored through wildfire prevention, natural regeneration establishment, enrichment planting and improved soil fertility techniques.
? At least 60% of affected farmers introduced to sustainable livelihood support for production of honey, poultry and small ruminants.
? Capacities of 70% of local community in natural resource management developed and sustained.
3. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
Output 1.0 At least 70% of degraded land restored through wildfire prevention, Natural regeneration establishment, enrichment planting and improved Soil fertility techniques
Planned Activities
1.1 Introduce weekly environmental awareness programmes on local FM Stations.
The project will promote weekly environmental education programmes on Radio Savannah and Radio Justice. These FM Stations have wide coverage, which includes the project location. Resource persons will come from EPA, MOFA, FSD, GNFS and GDCP (NGO). The activity will be carried out throughout the project period.
1.2 Organize community fora in 5 communities in the project area.
The community fora will promote environmental awareness programmes in 5 communities to be covered by the project to develop awareness, change attitudes and behaviours of the people to be able to contain environmental problems. Resource persons will come from EPA, MOFA, FSD,GNFS and GDCP. The activity will come off within the 1st quarter of the project.
1.3 Organize two (2) natural resource management workshops for 20 farmers.
Two (2) workshops will be organized for 40 farmers on natural resource management. These will serve as trainer of trainers for the other community members in Gburumani and its environs. These workshops will help the farmers acquire skills and knowledge on judicious use of natural resources for sustainability. Resource persons will come from EPA, SARI, FSD and MOFA and the activity will come on within the early part of the second quarter of the project.
1.4 Introduce improved soil fertility technologies to trained farmers.
Four (4) hands ? on ? training will be organized for 50 farmers to acquire improved soil fertility technologies. These farmers after the training will train the rest of the community on the same programme. Resource persons will comes from SARI and MOFA. The activity will come on the 3rd quarter of the project.
1.5 Embark on intensive wildfire prevention and management.
A hundred (100) members anti ? wildfire volunteers squad will be formed and trained to serve as watchdog committee to ensure responsible environmental behaviour. Twenty (20) each will come from each of the 5 communities. They will be trained in fire fighting and first aid techniques. After the training they will be issued with identification cards and Wellington boots. The squad will also help the communities to formulate their own environmental rules and regulations to govern the environment. Resources persons will come from GNFS and EPA. The activity will take place in second quarter of project.
1.6 Demarcate 100 acres degraded area and put them under natural regeneration and organize enrichment planting.
A 100 acre degraded land would be demarcated and put under natural regeneration within the 3rd quarter of the project period. The chiefs and people of Gburumani have committed land for the project. Seedlings will be supplied from a local nursery attendant in the community to undertake enrichment planting in the reserve for the 1st year. The reserve will be protected from wild fires and encroachers from the public by a security / anti ? wildfire volunteer squad to be put in place. Resource persons will come from Survey Department, GNFS and FSD.
Output 2.0 At least 60% of affected farmers introduced to sustainable livelihood support for production of honey, poultry and small ruminants.
Planned Activities
2.1 Identify and train 60 farmers in the production of honey, poultry and small ruminants.
A training programme in beekeeping, poultry and small ruminants will be organized for 60 interested community members and interested members of the adjourning communities to serve as alternative income source. Thus reducing the burden on the Savanna forest and therefore promoting natural regeneration. The training would be carried out within the 4th and 5th quarters. MOFA staff will be used as Resource persons.
2.2 Identify market sources for honey, poultry and small ruminants for trained farmers.
Market sources will be sought for honey, poultry products and small ruminants. The markets shops, which sell honey on their selves, would be contacted for market for honey. Hotels, restaurants and chop bars will be contacted for market for poultry products and small ruminants. The activity will take place by the 7th quarter. Staff of CASLID will be responsible.
2.3 Provide revolving credit scheme for farmers on alternative livelihood support.
A revolving credit will be provided for 20 farmers. Among them, at least 6 farmers each will go for bee keeping poultry and small ruminants. The division will be done basically on interest of every farmer. The activity will be carried out in the 5th & 6th quarter with resource persons from NGSSI.
Output 3.0 Developed and sustained the capacities of 70% of local community members in natural resource management and land restoration.
Planned Activities
3.1 Establish a community nursery
A community nursery of 6,000-seedling capacity will be established in Gburumani by the community dam to supply seedlings to all communities involved in the project. A group of 5 people thus 2 men and 3 women will be trained in nursery management to look after the nursery. The nursery will generate income for the project from sale of seedlings. The activity will be done in the 5th and 6th quarter with resource persons from EPA, MOFA and FSD.
3.2 Establish a multipurpose woodlot and fodder Banks
To reduce the pressure on the forest as a source of fodder for livestock and energy, a 50-hectare multipurpose woodlot will be established to provide fodder for livestock and to supply wood fuel for the community. These will improve livestock production in the area. Fast growing trees will be supplied from the community nursery for propagation in the multipurpose woodlot. Seeds of improved forage species will also be broadcast to grow freely and serve as feed for livestock. The activity will be carried out within the 3rd quarter and resource persons will come from EPA, FSD, and MOFA.
3.3 Establish Agro forestry in farms of interested farmers
The project will encourage 50 interested farmers to establish Agro forestry in their farms to reduce pressure on the forest as well as improve soil fertility. The activity will cover 50 hectares. The activity will be carried out by 6th quarter and resource persons will come from MOFA, FSD, and SARI.
3.4 Prepare participatory land use plan
All the (5) communities involved in the project will be helped to draw a participatory land use plan for land use for the project. Resource persons will come from Town and Country Planning and Survey Department. The activity will be carried out by the end of 2nd quarter.
3.5 Reinstate Burrowed Pits
At least 60% of the 135 burrowed pits in the project area will be reinstated. Carefully prepared compost will be prepared on site of each burrowed pit and this will be spread to 300mm thick. The ecology of the area will be improved with fast growing resilient and economic plants such as Pumpkin, Jatropha, Moringa, Mahogany, Dawadawa, Cashew, Mango and Cassia. In future, the rest of the burrowed could be developed into fishponds according to the collective planning wishes of the communities. The activity will be carried out throughout the project period of eight (8) quarters with resource persons from MOFA.
Project Snapshot
Grantee:
CENTER FOR AFRICAN SURVIVAL AND LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Country:
Ghana
Area Of Work:
Land Degradation
Grant Amount:
US$ 20,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
US$ 4,700.00
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 7,700.00
Project Number:
GHA/05/083
Status:
Satisfactorily Completed
Project Characteristics and Results
Capacity - Building Component
A hundred (100) members anti ? wildfire volunteers squad will be formed and trained to serve as watchdog committee to ensure responsible environmental behaviour. Twenty (20) each will come from each of the 5 communities. They will be trained in fire fighting and first aid techniques. After the training they will be issued with identification cards and Wellington boots. The squad will also help the communities to formulate their own environmental rules and regulations to govern the environment. Resources persons will come from GNFS and EPA
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
A training programme in beekeeping, poultry and small ruminants will be organized for 60 interested community members and interested members of the adjourning communities to serve as alternative income source. Thus reducing the burden on the Savanna forest and therefore promoting natural regeneration.
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SGP Country office contact
Dr. George Buabin Ortsin
Phone:
233-242-977980
Email:
Ms. Lois Sarpong
Phone:
+233 505740909
Email:
Address
UNDP, Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme P.O. Box 1423
Accra, Greater Accra, 233-302
Accra, Greater Accra, 233-302
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