During the animation process it came to the fore that; the local inhabitants of six cluster of communities in Tolon/Kumbungu District namely; Jekpahi-Bagon, Kukuo, Jakpon-Nayili, Donjind, Theyoahi and Balinkeng are predominantly peasant farmers using inappropriate and less rewarding farming methods brining in its wake significant land degradation and equal lost of biodiversity resources. In these areas; over grazing of range lands by livestock (local and migrant Fulani herdsmen) collection of fuel wood/ charcoal burning, hunting and wild bush fires, indiscriminate depletion of non-wood products / vegetative cover air and water pollution with uncertified agro-chemicals and other pollutants by local farmers and fishermen coupled with the ever increasing need for crop land, urbanization, in combination with unregulated increase in the number of livestock has brought about increased pressure on range/arable land prompting in significant changes in the management and usage of these lands in these areas. These increasing pressures have resulted in significant degradation of the resource base (soil and vegetation) due to overgrazing, annual wild uncontrolled bush fires, wood collection among others.
The cardinal objective and rationale of this intervention is to develop local capacities in the cluster of six communities in Tolon /Kumbungu District towards adopting Sustainable Land Management (SLM) and Biodiversity Conservation strategies to facilitate avenues for wealth creation, job placement, increased crop production, processing and marketing of tree/vegetative products towards food security, livelihoods improvement and reduce poverty in these areas by 2010 in context with GEF SGP country program OP4 and UN interventions on (CCD) and (CBD).

Specific objectives of this intervention which aims to achieve sustained management of land and enhanced resources base include:

a. To develop and sustain the capacities of 200 farmers in six communities in Tolon Kumbungu District to invest in sustainable land management and ecological resource conservation of 60ha of degraded lands through establishment of individual/community based woodlot fruit orchards, natural regeneration and enrichment planting of sacred areas and watershed to enhance water and soil fertility improvement to sustain productivity for food stability, wealth creation and livelihood improvement systems of local people by 2010.

b. To promote ZAFARMS “Api-Agro-Forestry” concept; facilitating the co-habitation of bees, food crops and trees; to enhance water and soil management, domesticate and protect bees for their continued existence and regeneration to produce qualitative organic honey for wealth creation, pollinate cultivated crops especially sunflower for increased yields for enhanced food security, improved livelihood and reduce poverty in contribution towards sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation in context with GEF/SGP (SLM) OP4 program.

c. To promote and sustain investment on land by supporting poor rural farmers diversify into business oriented approach to agricultural productivity through the commercial production and marketing of Sunflower, groundnuts, soya beans to ensure higher returns on investing on land and enhance agric-industry development initiatives to turn out value added tree/vegetative products; for processing into rich edible oils and industrial bio-fuels to reduce global warming in context with GEF/ (SLM) country strategy of investment in land under OP4 to enhance wealth creation and poverty reduction by 2010.

3.3 INTENDED RESULTS/OUTPUTS

An effective and successful implementation of the current project shall produce six specific outputs /outcomes from the three component objectives include:

1. Capacities of 200 farmers developed and supported in sustainable, land management; biodiversity conservation and small business enterprise development through acquired appropriate agro-forestry technologies.

2. Tree Seed Nursery established in one community to raise 100,000 seedlings of mango (Mangifera Indica), Neem (Azandrichta Indica) ), Acacia (Acacia Dudgeon) Teak (Tectona Grandis) for farmers to plant 60ha degraded lands by end of July 2009.

3. 100 farmers trained in widespread adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) through soil health initiative

4. 60 hectares of degraded community lands restored through established community based woodlots, enrichment planting of shrine grooves, protection of catchments areas landscaped and beautified access paths and village roads with mango and cashew by July 2010.

5. 100 farmers supported to acquire appropriate scientific skills in beekeeping and marketing, establishment and commercial processing of Sunflower, groundnuts and soya beans oil

6. ZAFARMS established sixty hectare Foundation Nucleus Sunflower Plantation, soya beans and groundnuts in order to initiate commercial and business oriented approach to becoming self-financing in development support strategies by ploughing back returns from investment to sustain development programs by mid 2010.

4.0 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES

For the realization of targeted outputs sets of activities below are planned

Output One:
100 farmers (38 male and 42 females) capacities developed and strengthened in sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation practices for sustainable development; through acquired appropriate agro-forestry methodologies.

Planned Activities under Output One (1):

1.1.1 Undertake baseline survey studies, for documentation of situation base data and pre implementation trends and issues to provide bases for referral and impact assessment within first quarter of project period; undertaken by Director and consultant,

1.1.2 Discuss and agree with project beneficiaries to enable them make input and agree on time schedule for training programmes to be effected in all six beneficiary communities latest by middle of second quarter to be undertaken by staff and beneficiaries.

1.1.3 Assessed and procured basic training materials and conduct workshops in all six communities groups to facilitate training process and enhance transfer of technology to sustain capacities of beneficiaries in agro-forestry practices within second and third quarters of implementation (2008) effected by ZAFARMS, supplier and beneficiaries.

1.1.4 Conduct training in agro-forestry methodologies and practices in all the six participating communities to equip beneficiaries with appropriate skills to undertake tree planting towards effective land management practices; implemented by MOFA/FSC, staff and beneficiaries second quarter of implementation

1.1.5 Organize three days training workshop on organic farming methodologies in all six Communities to portray the values and effectiveness of the practice to enhancing sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation practices towards achieving increased agricultural productivity; ensure food stability and improved livelihoods systems; effected by ZAFARMS, EPA, MOFA and participants.

Output Two (2) :
Tree Seed Nursery established in one community to raise 100,000 seedlings of mango (Mangifera Indica), Neem (Azandrichta Indica) ), Acacia (Acacia Dudgeon) Teak (Tectona Grandis) for farmers to plant 60ha degraded lands by end of July 2009.

Planned Activities

2.1.1 Procure and transport nursery production and planting materials, to site for established Seed Nursery at Wala; undertaken by ZAFARMS, Supplier and beneficiaries.

2.1.2 Prepare land and agronomic practices at Seed Nursery and raised from third quarter of year one to mid July 2009/2010; accomplished by beneficiaries/staff

2.1.3 Select and train Five Seed Nursery Supervisors by Forestry Commission for the daily routine works and management of nursery from second quarter of year one fifteen months on allowances June 2008 to August 2009 after which period; (replanting of casualty seedlings) the nursery shall go public and commercial and nursery managers may have to work and pay themselves; implemented by beneficiaries and staff.

Output 3
100 farmers trained in widespread adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) through soil health initiative:

Planned Activities

The ISFM strategy involves assessing local soil and water resources and considering how organic matter, fertilizers, farmer cropping systems, and farmer knowledge can work in concert to create highly productive and environmentally sustainable approaches to soil revitalization. The project will therefore undertake the following activities:

3.1.1 train farmers in the preparation of organic compost from crop residues, domestic waste and pesticides from neem preparation
3.1.2 Encourage groups to go into commercial production of compost and pesticides for sale at the village levels based on flexible terms to improve farmers’ access to appropriate and affordable manure.
3.1.3 Train farmers on application of manure, crop rotation with legumes that can increase the availability of soil nitrogen and introduction of improved seeds for production of food crops.
3.1.4 Introduce farmers to improved silos for the storage of grains, legumes and seeds
Output 4
Restored a total of 60 hectares of degraded lands; through established community based woodlots, enrichment planting of shrine grooves, protection of catchments areas landscaped and beautified access paths and village roads with mango and cashew by July 2010.

Planned Activities under output three (3)

4.1.1 Organize 3 days training workshop once yearly to equip 200 participants of the six communities with appropriate skills in Agro-Forestry systems and soil management practices to enable beneficiaries restore 100 hectares of degraded lands) effected by ZAFARMS,MOFA/FSC and beneficiaries.

4.1.2 Organize the communities into activity groups to restore 60 hectares of degraded lands by planting acacia / neem; then mango and teak and cashew under ally cropping as commercial non forest product of significant economic value within the allies of established plantations to ensure high survival and proper management between May-July of 2008- 2009; by beneficiaries/ staff.

4.1.3 Organize field train for beneficiary farmers on wildfire management for protection of 60ha established plantations to enhance sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation practices between September- October (2008-2010) implemented by GNFS./ beneficiaries / staff

4.1.4 Undertake intensive daily/weekly monitoring and field visits for six quarters (October 2008 to March 2010) to ensure proper management of agro-forestry plantations and enhanced the management capacities of the local beneficiaries for realization of full impact and replication of the intervention; staff/beneficiaries

4.1.5 Assist communities undertake early bush burning and constructed fire breaks around plantations and orchards/ alley crop (jethropha) and ensured adequate protection and proper management of plantations for better rewards from sustained land management by September – October 2008 effected by beneficiaries / staff.

Output 5 :
100 farmers acquired appropriate scientific beekeeping skills; supported with 200 improved hives have domesticated bees; harvested and marketed from level zero 1,800 high quality organic honey per year and beeswax, as at first quarter of 2009 and to double production after 2010 with increased incomes.

Activities Planned

5.1.1 Identify 100 interested farmers; develop and sustain their capacities in modern scientific beekeeping techniques to enable them domesticate and protect bees to produce honey and other bee products for sale to earn additional incomes to improve their lots starting second quarter of 2008 to project end period; executed by farmers and ZAFARMS
5.1.2 Identify credible supplier to manufacture and supply of 200 Top-Bar hives, protective clothing, and processing items as demonstration and start-up equipment by May-April (2008); to enable beekeepers successfully domesticate bees for production and enable trainees manage risk; undertaken by Supplier /ZAFARMS
5.1.3 Organize beekeeping training workshop (Theory ) for each of four beekeeping groups twice yearly; equipped them with appropriate scientific beekeeping skills for domesticating bees for their enhanced protection; then production and marketing of honey for sustainable incomes and improved livelihoods by third quarters of 2008-2009 undertaken by, beneficiaries and staff.
5.1.4 Identify and select four suitable apiaries sites, laid 200 hives and domesticate 200 honey bee colonies; facilitated their continued existence and regeneration for production of high quality organic honey; undertaken by beneficiaries and ZAFARMS facilitating process.
5.1.5 Allocate and transported 200 bee hives and other equipment to all four groups within two days which enabled trainees undertake on-the-job practical demonstration training sessions by September 2008; undertaken by trainees, Technicians and Technical Coordinator moderating process
5.1.6 Assist trainee beekeepers baited, mounted and colonized 200 honey bee colonies commencing production, harvesting, processing/ refining and marketing of organic pure honey from level zero to initial 1,800 liters and to double with good management practices from September 2008 on-going; taken by staff and trainees
5.1.7 Carry out (60) crucial follow-up monitoring, of apiary and colony management inspection twice weekly to sustain and widen scope of trainees from October 2008 to project end period and beyond undertaken by trainees, Beekeeping Technician and Technical Coordinator.
5.1.8 From March 2009, linked honey producers to available local markets and other for sale of their products for increased incomes and improved livelihood on sustainable bases; implemented by ZAFARMS, Trainees, and vendors.

Output 6 :

Sixty hectare Foundation Nucleus Sunflower Plantation, soya beans and groundnuts in order to initiate commercial and business oriented approach to becoming self-financing in development support strategies by ploughing back returns from investment to sustain development programs by mid 2010.

Planned Activities
6.1.1 Sixty hectares Foundation Nucleus Sunflower Plantation identified lands; demarcated and allocated to individuals and community groups at Wala, Kpalisogu-Kuraa and Gurugu-Yapalsi by April 2008.to enable ZAFARMS adopt business oriented approaches to become self-financing and supporting to sustain future development interventions; effected by ZAFARMS, MOFA and local people.

6.1.2 Procured crucial inputs; sun flower seeds, fertilizers, fungicides and insecticides and other Farming implements for planting of Nucleus farms implemented by ZAFARMS / Partners (TRAGIMACS.) MOFA and service providers

6.1.3 Support farmers to undertake agronomic practices; (land preparations 1&2, labour for seed planting, weeds controls(1&2), fertilizer, fungicide and insecticide applications, harvesting, winnowing, cleaning and transportation of sunflower seeds); implemented by ZAFARMS, TRAGIMACS. MOFA extension staff.

6.1.4 Established seed Out-Growers Scheme with eighty registered out-growers to boost the cultivation and marketing of sunflower in order to provide the local farmers increased and sustained incomes as ultimate reward for investment in land between April – May 2008/2009; implemented by registered farmers and ZAFARMS field staff.