Dawa Ogome is a small community located at Upper Manya Krobo in the Manya Krobo District of the eastern region of Ghana. The inhabitants are mostly resource-poor farmers who cultivate mainly maize and cassava. The community had in the past enjoyed a rich source of biodiversity and eco-systems which had sustained agriculture, wild life, water bodies and effective sustainable livelihoods to the extent that the Asesewa Market in the area became the major food basket of Ghana in the 1930’s to the 1970’s. However, these rich ecosystems and biodiversity had been lost within the past 20 years due to several factors including the slash and burn method of land preparation, increased bush burning, massive use of herbicides for weed control, increased charcoal burning, wanton destruction of the biodiversity, lack of knowledge on environmental conservation and management of these rich natural resources and the absence of alternative sustainable livelihood strategies for the rapidly increasing population. Herbicides are applied without regard to recommended concentrations and the use of appropriate protective clothing. The poor land management and conservation practices and mis-use of herbicides had negatively imparted on the eco-systems and the living standards of the inhabitants. The rainfall pattern has been negatively affected and farming is carried out mainly in only one season. Rivers that hitherto flowed and from which peopled derived their livelihoods have dried up and so are the medicinal plants and economic trees, which have been felled for charcoal making without replacements. Due to scarcity of land and the consequence of continuous cropping on the same small land holdings, the vegetation cover is gradually turning into grassland, the soils have been mined of their nutrients and so farm yields and incomes are poor. The bad land management strategies had also resulted in the sudden and serious infestation of the land by termites, threatening both natural vegetation and the inhabitants’ farm crops. Poverty is therefore very high among the inhabitants at Dawa Ogome.

The above challenges could be addressed if the poor inhabitants are properly educated on appropriate land management and use strategies and assisted to access simple alternative sustainable livelihood strategies. The overall performance goal of this project is to restore biodiversity of the environment and improve the incomes and standard of living of farmers in the Dawa Ogome community to reduce poverty in the area. Specifically the proposal seeks to promote gender sensitive soil conservation and land management systems for environmental sustainability, develop integrated and sustainable control of termites and diversify incomes by adopting alternative livelihood strategies in the context of the environment.

2.2 PROJECT GOAL

The goal of the project is to restore the biodiversity and ecosystem at Dawa Ogome through efficient and sustainable land management and conservation practices while providing alternative sustainable livelihood strategies for poverty reduction and wealth creation.

2.3.1 Objectives:

The objectives of the project are:

• To promote gender sensitive soil conservation and land management systems for environmental sustainability.
• To develop integrated control of termites to minimize their damage to crops and buildings
• To promote alternative livelihoods for income diversification including production of organic vegetables, woodlots and tree crops

EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

The main results expected with successful implementation, and will reflect the justification of the project as follows:

• Diagnostic study with 40 stakeholders conducted to assess critical constraints needs and appropriate interventions.

• Capacity of local community members in sustainable land management and termites control systems developed.

• 5 ha Neem wood lots established by the local farmers

• Alternative livelihood activities introduced to 50 farm families


4.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Output 1
Diagnostic study with 40 stakeholders conducted to assess critical constraints needs and appropriate interventions

Activities

- Constitute diagnostic study team made up of farmers from Dawa Ogome community, the Manya Krobo District Assembly (MKDA), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the district outfit of the Ghana National Fire Service and the Department of Community Development and University of Ghana

- Undertake field assessment to assess and document critical constraints, needs, and appropriate interventions.

- Conduct baseline studies to document the present landuse system and land management practices in Dawa Ogome community lands

- Develop manuals for integrated strategy for the control of termites e.g. digging of termite hills, early planting, good soil and water management, use of neem insecticide

- Hold workshop to share findings and recommendations of diagnostic study
Output 2:
Capacity of local community members in sustainable land management and termites control systems developed

Activities
- Hold forums with Traditional Authorities (T.A.s) and entire community on the projects project intervention, roles and responsibilities.

- Form, train, and empower Community Land Management Committees (CLMPC), for project implementation.

- Educate community on the dangers of the misapplication of herbicides.

- Train farmers in integrated strategy for the control of termites (e.g. digging of termite hills, early planting, good soil and water management,) neem insecticide preparation and use as insecticide for pest and disease control.

- Train farmers on appropriate soil conservation and land management strategies including zero tillage, preparation of compost and the use of other organic manures, mulching to conserve moisture in the soil, planting of windbreaks etc

Output 3
10ha Neem wood lots established by the local farmers

Activities
- Discuss with farmers interested in neem plantation establishment

- Acquire tools, equipment for community nursery establishment.

- Train selected farmers in establishment and maintenance of community nursery

- Establish community nursery at Dawa Ogame

- Assist farmers to establish at least 0.5h of neem woodlot

- Hold educational forums to educate and create awareness on the multiple use of neem

- Create task force to regulate use of herbicides and other bad farming practices

- Hold meetings with traditional Authorities and local community members, District Assemblies, Forestry, Environmental Protection Agency and other stakeholders to formulate and enforce local bye-laws on sustainable land management.