The people of Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya communities with a combined total population of 4000 are facing serious land degradation emanating from persistent bushfires, sand wining and unsustainable farming practices. These trends have worsened the poverty situation of the people thereby rendering most of the inhabitants vulnerable and voiceless in the society. The three target communities shared common boundaries at the southern end of Yendi Township. The activities of the inhabitants with regards to efficient land management systems are nothing to write home about. As a result, the area is gradually turning into desert as the lands continue to degrade year after year. No single crop can withstand the poor soil condition of the area except okro. Most of the farmers who could not afford the high cost of fertilizers and other agro-chemicals ended up by not getting enough food to feed their families and hence, food insecurity. The farmers are lacking the capacity to use or adopt composting and application of animal manure as organic substitute to other chemicals or inorganic materials used.

3.5.1: Causes and Effects

RAREA has identified or otherwise diagnosed the persistent land degradation to have been caused by:
? Uncontrolled Sand Wining by road contractors and other real estate developers. This trend emanated as a result of weak enforcement of the district Assembly environmental byelaws in relation to sand wining, which can further be linked to inadequate commitments on the part of policy makers and other major stakeholders. As a result, the multiple effects include physical destruction on the environment and lost of fertile farmlands occurred.
? Bushfires – Another interesting area that contributes significantly to the persistent land degradation is the indiscriminate bush burning carryout by some unscrupulous community members, Fulani Herdsmen, and careless farmers. This is also as a result of inadequate clear regulatory framework, policies and commitments by all stakeholders. The effects to that canker are lost of soil fertility, lost of biodiversity, declined in ecotourism, erosion, soil depletion, environmental degradation and lost of revenue as properties and natural resources are constantly subjected to destructions by wildfires.
? Unsustainable Farming Practices – Very important factor that also contributes greatly to our persistent land degradations are unsustainable farming practices by most farmers in the project communities as natural vegetations are slashed and burnt and the use of agro-chemicals instead of compost and other animal manure. These are as a result of lack of farming policies, inadequate information on alternative farming methods, ignorance on the part of policy makers, lack commitment on the part Chiefs, landowners and the community as a whole. The effects of the trend also negatively, impacted on the significant lost in soil fertility, resulting in high cost of production poor farm yield that lead to food insecurity. Through lost of natural vegetation also lead to global warming that also lead to significant changed in temperatures which should be blamed for strong wins, hurricanes and floods which are known to be respite for disasters.

2.2 Goal and Objectives of the project

The development objective of the project is to contribute to sustainable land management in the Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya through capacity building of farmers on innovative strategies for sustainable land management, introducing farmers to sustainable agriculture practices, and promote and support sustainable livelihoods.

The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

3.2.1 To promote sustainable agricultural practices among farmers in the Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya to enable them restore the degraded lands through integrated water and soil management, community based forest woodlot/agro-forestry, wildfires management, natural regeneration establishment and enrichment planting;

3.2.2 To support sustainable small ruminant rearing, guinea fowl keeping and groundnut cultivation as an integrated activity to producing organic manure for sustainable land management and a livelihood supplement and supporting farmers to access fair and ready markets for their produce.

3.2.3 To build and sustain capacities of farmers to enable them identify innovative strategies, approaches and models in linking trade and livelihoods to sustainable land management.

2.3 Project Outputs and Planned Activities

Project out puts

• 150 ha of degraded lands in Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya demarcated and put under sustainable land management through contour ploughing, stone bonding, drip irrigation, natural regeneration and enrichment planting, woodlot plantation.

• 80 rural farmers from Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya communities trained and supported to identify innovative strategies, procedures and opportunities to invest in sustainable land management

• Two (2) rural enterprises supported to develop sustainable trade initiatives and markets through small ruminants rearing and honey production.

• Models, systems and best practices in sustainable land management in the target communities in the Yendi District of the Northern Region of Ghana documented and disseminated.

Project Output 1:

150 ha of degraded lands in Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya demarcated and put under sustainable land management through contour ploughing, stone bonding, drip irrigation, natural regeneration and enrichment planting, woodlot plantation

Planned Activities:

2.3.1.1 Prepare participatory land-use plans

The local people in Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya would be assisted to prepare land-use plans using participatory tools such as resource mapping, community mapping, transect diagram and group discussions. The focus of the land-use plans would delineate clearly agricultural lands from grazing lands, woodlot plantations, settlement lands and lands for natural regeneration.

2.3.1.2 Demarcate 150 ha of degraded area and place it under natural regeneration and enrichment planting

The project has already organized community meeting where discussions were held between the chiefs and people about this activity. The chiefs and people indicated their willingness and commitment to the implementation of the activity to rejuvenate the already degraded lands. A 150ha of degraded lands along the sides of the hills would be demarcated and place under natural regeneration. Tree species like neem and cassia seedlings would be nursed and distributed to the farmers to be planted along the hills. The communities have agreed to protect the demarcated area from annual wildfires and encroachment by farmers for farming activities. The activity would be implemented with technical assistance by the Forestry Service Department, Ghana National Fire Service and the MOFA

2.3.1.3 Establish Agro forestry on farms of indigenous farmers

In order to protect the surface soil from annual gully erosion, the project will support the indigenous farmers in the three areas to establish 50ha agro forestry on their farms using moringa, lucena and other nitrogen fixing plants. The idea is to protect soils erosion and provide economic value to the farmers as well and so the moringa and mango plants would be encouraged for the activity. The moringa plants would reduce malnutrition among children and increase incomes among farmers. Resource persons will come from MOFA and FSD

2.3.1.4 Provide support to farmers to undertake soil and water management practices.

The project would provide technical support to farmers to use stones to make bonding, trenches, and burrow on their farms to conserve water and reduce erosion on their farms. Because of the undulating nature of the land, this activity is necessary to reduce the impact of run-offs. The project would place 30 ha of degraded lands in the Traditional Area under stone bonding. The MOFA and the RAREA would provide resource persons to implement this activity.

2.3.1.5 Assist farmer to do contour ploughing

Under this activity, the project would assist farmers to identify contours on 20ha of degraded farmlands and taught to plough across those contours in order to conserve water and reduce gully erosion on their farms. Resource persons would come from the MOFA and the RAREA to implement the activity.

2.3.1.6 Establish multipurpose woodlot plantations

This activity is necessary to reduce the pressure on the remaining natural forest on the mountains. The project would demarcate a 5ha of the degraded lands and place it under multipurpose woodlot plantations where households would harvest fuel wood and allow the natural mountain forest to rejuvenate. The activity would be implemented by the FSD and the RAREA

3.3.7 Establish community nursery

A community nursery of 100,000-seedling capacity will be established under the project by the community groups to supply seedlings to all communities involved in the project. A group of 5 people (2 men and 3 women) would be trained as nursery managers to look after the nursery. The nursery will generate additional income for the project from the sale of fruit seedlings. The project will assist local level entrepreneurs with training, materials, simple tools and equipment to operate their own nurseries to produce the needed planting material. The project would support the introduction of improved planting materials. The activity will be done with resource persons from EPA, MOFA and FSD.

Project Output 2:

80 rural farmers from Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya communities trained and supported to identify innovative strategies, procedures and opportunities to invest in sustainable land management
Planned Activities:

3.3.2.1 Facilitate the formation of sustainable land management committee

To ensure a successful implementation of the project and a total ownership of the project by the people of the three communities, a seven member land management committee would be formed in each community. The committee would be trained and empowered to organize periodic community fora to promote environmental awareness, change attitudes and behaviours of the people to address environmental problems. 60% of membership of the committee would be women while the remaining 40% of membership represents men. The committee would organize at least one community fora in each of the sections of the Traditional Area to introduce innovative strategies, approaches and models in sustainable land management to the people. Resources persons would come from EPA and FSD

3.3.2.2 Train farmers in the cultivation of tradable savannah agricultural products

The project would organize practical hands-on-training workshops for 80 indigenous farmers on natural resource management, agro forestry and cultivation of sesame seeds, sorghum, millets, groundnuts and other tradable products under drip irrigation.

3.3.2.3 Organize hands on training for farmers on soil fertility improvement technologies

The project would organize a number of hands-on-training for the 100 farmers selected to improve their knowledge and skills in improved soil fertility technologies and organic farming practices. Each farmer would be taught integrated soil management practices such compost preparations and usage. Each farmer would be encouraged to establish at least 1ha of farm and applying the technology for improved crop yield. The RAREA would draw resource persons from the MOFA to implement the activity.

3.3.2.4 Train farmers on stone bonding techniques

At least 100 indigenous farmers would be trained on the use of stones to make bonding on their farms to conserve water and reduce soil erosion. They would be taught how to construct trenches and burrows on farms to retain water and planting of nitrogen fixing plants like muccuna for green. Resource persons would come from MOFA.

3.3.2.5 Train farmers on contour identification and ploughing techniques

The project would also organize hands-on-training workshop for the 100 farmers selected to pass some skills and knowledge on how to identify contours running through their farms and to plough across those contours in order to reduce erosion and also conserve water for the crops. Resource persons from the MOFA would assist in the implementation of this activity.

3.3.2.6 Organize training for farmers on intensive wildfire prevention and management

A Fifty member wildfire management volunteers’ squad will be formed and trained to serve as watchdog committee to ensure responsible environmental behaviour. At least twenty-five will be trained in each section of the Traditional Area. 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 squads will also help the Traditional Area to formulate their own environmental rules and regulations to govern the environment. Resource persons will come from the GNFS and EPA.

3.3.2.7 Identify and select 60 women to be trained as soil fertility improvement techniques

The project would identify and select 60 women who have the potential to be trainers. The women would be selected from the three villages in consultation with the Traditional Leaders. Train and assist the women Farmers to Adopt Improved Technologies in Soil Fertility and Reduction of Farm Erosion: Some of the technologies to be adopted and promoted included preparation and application of composting, soil bonding, crop rotation, mulching, preservation and development of indigenous and threatened crop and tree varieties and adoption of agro forestry farming techniques. Resource persons will come from MOFA, FSD & EPA..

3.3.2.8 Organize training for 20 women as artisans to promote construction of improved stoves

A two hands-on-training workshop would be organized for the 20 women. These trainings would help the women to acquire skills and knowledge in the construction and usage of the improved wood fuel cooking stove. The training would also include maintenance of the cooking stoves so that generation yet unborn would benefit from the technology. Resource persons would be identified to assist in the implementation of this activity.


Project Output 3:

Two (2) rural enterprises will be supported to develop and expand sustainable trade initiatives and market access through integrated livestock/small ruminant rearing and honey production.

Planned Activities:

3.3.3.1 Form farmer trust groups and animate

The project would identify select indigenous farmers and put them into farmer trust groups based on the existing social capital within the Traditional Area. Each farmer trust group would range from 8 to 10 members. Every farmer trust group will have a chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer. Resource persons will come from the RAREA.

3.3.3.2 Provide revolving groundnut seed scheme to farmers

A revolving groundnut seed credit will be provided to 70 farmers to plant. In the first year of the project, 60 interested farmers will be reached and each farmer will be given one bag of groundnut seed for planting. The beneficiaries are expected to repay a bag and a half to enable the project extends assistance to other farmers next on the line. Resource persons will come from the MOFA and RAREA.

3.3.3.3 Support farmers in production of honey and small ruminant rearing

identify and Train 75 Farmers in the Production of honey and Small Ruminants: A training programmes for 75 interested community members in Gbungbalga, Zugu and Banchiya communities shall be offered support to serve as alternative income source. These will help reduce the burden on savannah woodlands and therefore, promoting natural regeneration. The training will be carried out in the 4th quarter. MOFA and veterinary service staff will be used as resource persons..

3.3.3.4 Train farmers on simple book-keeping

Since most of the farmers are illiterates coupled with the fact that all they lack business enterprise development skills, the project will organize 2 hands-on-training workshops targeting at least 140 farmers to upgrade their skills and knowledge of simple booking practices such as keeping data and making entries, calculating profits etc. The two operators will be taught the various records to be kept and how to keep those records properly. The project will get resource persons from the NBSSI

3.3.3.5 Support and train farmers groups with animal traction

100 indigenous trained farmers would be introduced to animal traction, soil fertility and improvement management, organic farming and agro forestry farming technologies with supply of donkeys with ploughs and carts. Out of 100, 60% would be female beneficiaries. A family nominated by the groups would be made responsible for managing the traction on behalf of the group. A roaster on the usage of the traction would be kept by every group to ensure fairness in the usage of the facility. MOFA and RAREA will implement the activity.

3.3.3.6 Provide Revolving Credit to Farmers on Alternative Livelihood

Provide Revolving Credit Scheme for 75 Farmers on Alternative Livelihood support: The project has planned amongst its activities to provide logistics and material revolving loan support to 75 community members in bee keeping and small ruminants rearing in a sustainable basis. At least, 50 women will be supported to manage small ruminants. The small ruminants rearing will be based on Pass-on-the-gift and Pass-back-the-gift concept of community support. Under this system, the farmers mostly women will be grouped into three and then supported with the animals of at least 4 females one male to be handled by one of the group members until such a time that they produces offspring’s of equal number of the gift given her to be passed on to the next beneficiaries in that same group. The 2nd beneficiary will also pass-on the gift to the 3rd and the 3rd to 4th and in that order until all members in the group received equal number of the gift through their offspring only.

3.3.3.7 Link farmer trust groups to fair and ready markets

Identify Market Source for Honey and Small Ruminants Producers: Market source will be sought for honey and small ruminants and other products to be supported by the project
The market shops, which sales honey on their selves, would be contacted for market for honey. Hotels, restaurants and chop-bars will be contacted for market for small ruminants. The project would assist farmers to source for better markets for their produce. Market surveys would be conducted and fair market options identified to provide ready market to farmers produce that would increase their incomes to sustain their livelihoods. Such markets should be easily accessible to the farmers. Resource persons would come from the RAREA and NBSSI

Output 4
Models, systems and best practices in sustainable land management in the target communities in the Yendi District of the Northern Region of Ghana documented and disseminated

Planned activity

4.1.1 Document the outcome of the project through print and electronic medium

The project will identify coordinating mechanism between GEF/SGP National Coordinator and Steering Committee with major stakeholders and through increase interactions. The project document and disseminated knowledge on best practices and lessons learned to inform policy-making policies at national, regional, and international level. It will also build synergies to facilitate replication and up scaling of successfully projects and policy dialogue at national levels.