CATS CARPHA UAS flying and mapping methods training course St. Lucia, November 2018
GIZ
CATS CARPHA UAS flying and mapping methods training course St. Lucia, November 2018
GIZ
CATS CARPHA UAS flying and mapping methods training course St. Lucia, November 2018
GIZ
CATS CARPHA UAS flying and mapping methods training course Grenada, December 2018
GIZ
Demonstrating UAS Site Results: Beausejour Wetlands
GIZ
Mushroom Cultivation Training: Inoculating substrate, St. Lucia, 2017
GIZ
Mushroom Cultivation Training: Trainee collects sample for pure culture, St. Lucia, 2017
GIZ
Soufriere Primary School Tree Planting and Farming initiative, St. Lucia.
Caribbean SEA/Waterways
Soufriere Primary School Tree planting by students with the assistance of Grounds Crewl
Caribbean SEA/Waterways
World Food Day Exhibition of Soufriere Primary School
Caribbean SEA/Waterways
The CATS Programme was based on the acknowledgement that good practices within the terrestrial zone augur well for the health of the coasts and marine spaces. Thus, it worked with practitioners (farmers, foresters, agroprocessors) within this space by teaching and reinforcing good practices that could be incorporated within their operations. A small group was also taught the specialised skills for mushroom cultivation as an alternative to traditional crop production. This niche area was anticipated to increase food production diversity as it aligned with the practices of good resource management, recycling of byproducts and resilience. For practitioners at the management level, the Programme supported the training of various persons in the practical application of Unmanned Aerial Systems for natural resource management and monitoring. Since CATS Programme’s introduction of this, several other organisations both private and public sector have embarked on similar trainings for their officers.
Resource management was an area of much focus by various actors within the stakeholder community. Thus, the challenge of obtaining buy-in and interest was minimal. Partners already had at least a basic understanding of the importance and relevance of effective resource management and the interconnection between the terrestrial and marine spaces. Further, given there were several other actors in the technical support and grant sectors with whom it was possible to collaborate to maximise results. Support from the ministries of agriculture in the various islands was also an enabling factor. Their technical expertise helped facilitate the implementation of the various initiatives. The ministries were the principal source of technical support for all terrestrial interventions under the programme. With regard to the management level, the actors, particularly in the forestry sector, saw the technology as a very relevant intervention as they were keenly aware of their monitoring limitations and saw the tool as an opportunity to improve the scope and efficiency of their monitoring.
The incorporation, within farming practice, of non-synthetic inputs for fertility and control of pests and weeds, though widely practiced many decades ago, is now alien to the majority of farmers. Modern farmers rely on their crop for their livelihoods and have clearly expressed that they are not willing to experiment on their sale crops by incorporating improved practices. They expressed concern about the risk of diminished crop quality, a situation which would reduce their revenue. They were unconvinced that they would be able to sustain their livelihoods if they were to change their farming practice to be more environmentally friendly. Thus, and future iterations of projects seeking to improve farm practices would have to incorporate significant investment and focus on demonstration plot establishment, research and development and start-ups. Despite having gone through a very rigorous process of participant selection for the mushroom cultivation training, it was recognised that the personal economic challenges and ambitions of the participants was an inhibiting factor; although all the trainees were keenly interested in pursuing the business start-up, they were challenged by the need to have secure revenue, and found it easier to continue their modus operandi prior to the training, as opposed to making the sacrifice needed to start the new businesses. All this was despite the project incorporating in its design access to raw materials needed for production during the initial months of production. The high-risk aversion of persons being encouraged to start up new businesses needs to be overcome by incorporating even more support mechanisms. The Programme failed to complete the second phase of the remote sensing training, thus pilots trained and their organisations failed to attain the full support needed to confidently incorporate remote sensing in their operations. Future such interventions should ensure completion of all necessary phases of support to ensure sustainability.
National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan 2017-2027
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National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan 2017-2027 provides for establishment of National and County Mangrove Management Committees to serve as advisory organ to inform Kenya Forest Service on the technical issues regarding mangrove management. The committees at national and in the five counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu, have been established and operationalized. Their membership comprise of technical experts for mangrove ecosystem relevant disciplines, including; Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife, Water, Land, and Climate, and representatives of communities and Civil Society/Non-governmental organizations.
The National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan was developed through a participatory process and adopted by Government.
Inclusive participation of Government, community, Civil Society/Non-governmental organizations
Government policy that provides for establishment of the committees to coordinate mangrove management
