The goal of this project is to see a thriving socio-ecological production landscape where the local communities are actively involved in the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources for increased production, the restoration of biodiversity, wealth and continuous flow of ecosystem services.

Objectives
The project will achieve the following objectives by the end of the project period, to:
i. Train/assist Kpale, and Kpale Xorse communities to carry out various activities that would help conserve the landscape for resilience within carrying capacity
ii. Train and support various groups and individuals to identify innovative procedures and opportunities to invest in sustainable land management.
iii. Support five rural enterprises to develop sustainable trade initiatives and markets in commercial yam production, cocoa, fruit trees and vegetables cultivation.
iv. Build the capacity of 10 organizations and develop systems and best practices in the resource use and sustainable land management in the landscape based on the COMDEK/SATOYAMA approach and document them for dissemination.

Based on the SATOYAMA initiative, the objective is to promote activities that encourage cyclical use of resource for the well being of the people in the landscape.

Purpose
The project intends to achieve resilience in the Weto system in the form of : a sustained livelihood and wellbeing of beneficiaries, a conserved natural and semi-natural habitats and ecosystems services; and strengthened institutional capacity at landscape level to realize the goal of integrating conservation and production in the management of Socio-ecological production landscape, as well as a sustainable agricultural practices implemented across the landscape, to ensure harmony in the ecosystem and reduction in poverty induced resource degradation.

RATIONALE OF THE PROJECT

The rationale for this project is to halt the degradation of Weto landscape resources with COMDEK/GEF grants and community resources. The need to promote sustainable resource management and utilization underpins this project .Also community institution to promote prudent natural resource management are lacking hence the need for this project to build capacity of existing groups and form new ones where possible to promote diverse ideas sharing for accelerated management.
Livelihood activities in the Weto range are diverse but have not really seen modernization for increased income, hence the need for this project. Disappearing forests and dry river sources needed to be protected and agricultural practices harnessed, for increased health of the natural endowments and income. The lacking extension services in the landscape will be addressed through this project. This objective coincides with COMDEK/SGP ecosystems protection, sustainable land management and climate change issues and sustainable agricultural practices. The project is in line with governments efforts towards decentralization of environmental management activities through the District Assemblies. Ghana Biodiversity strategy, REDD+, 1994 forest and wildlife Policy etc. The programme also satisfies Agenda 21 and the Kyoto Protocol. Several International NGOs such as SNV, DFID are supporting group to carry out similar activities in several communities in the country

Expected Project Output

The project is expected to produce the following output.
i. 100 people trained to invest in sustainable land management as well as 6 institutions received capacity building to participate in natural resources management.
ii. 200 ha of degraded Weto landscape restored through bushfire management, agroforestry, and integrated forest management activities including natural regeneration. In all 20,000 seedlings would be planted.
iii. 100 persons trained in sustainable cocoa production, yam and vegetable production, rice, ginger production and fruits trees cultivation.

FIRST QUARTER REPORT
i. 15 persons from Kpale Ga and 13 persons from Xorse have been trained on firefighting, Land use planning, Natural regeneration, and landscape management.
ii. 200,000 seedlings of cocoa, Ofram, Mahogany and other spices have been nursed.
iii.Environmental school club has been formed in Kpale Xorse Junior Secondary School to involve the students in tree planting and other social activities in relation to the environment
iv. An 8 acre land has been ploughed to be used as a demonstration farm to train farmers in modern SMART Organic Agriculture.


2nd Quarter

1.23 cocoa farmers from Kpale and 25 Rice and vegetable farmers from KpaleXorse have been trained respectively in sustainable agricultural practices and modern farming methods.

2. Demonstration farm has been established in four crops, maize, rice and vegetables with the support of the agricultural extension service officer in the Ho west District.

3.Tree species as ofram, mahogany has been acquired from FORIG in Kumasi but unfortunately, these seeds were nursed but none could germinate, though farmers were trained to acquire knowledge in agro forestry cultivation and benefits.

4.Regular bi-monthly community extension education is ongoing in our project communities, with landowners in participatory land use planning to ensure technical landscape management.