As part of strengthening park management capacity, SCERA also provided equipment and materials including field gear (jungle boots, life jackets, raincoats, torch lights and water bottles), fuel and food rations to support forest patrols in 2024. The Conservator of Parks, Okomu National Park, Lawrence Osaze, expressed deep appreciation for SCERA’s support, noting that the equipment would significantly enhance their capacity to manage the park effectively.

Capacity building for rangers on SMART and GFW, with human rights consideration, the development of a law enforcement strategy focused on crime prevention, the update of the ranger codes of ethics and standard operating procedures for Okomu National Park, and support  with equipment, fuel and rations to deploy the technology in the field all culminate in achieving significant improvement in the capacity of the park in preventive law enforcement, anti-poaching activities and combating illegal logging. Data collection and analysis has been made easier and more efficient, making planning, deployment of resources and response to threats more effective

14 carpenters from six communities (Udo community, Iguowan community, Ofunama Community, Okomu Ijaw community and Iguoriakhi community, which is not a SZC) were trained on beehive construction, 31 community people from 6 communities (Udo community, Ugolo community, Iguowan community, Ofunama Community, Inikorogha Community and Okomu Ijaw community), 1 person from Iguoriakhi community were involved in the beekeeping training and benefited from the disbursement of beekeeping equipment. 11 communities (Udo community, Ugolo community, Iguowan community, Iguafole community, Maroghinoba community, Ikoka community, Ugbo Community, Ofunama Community, Inikorogha Community, Ajakurama community and Okomu Ijaw community) were also trained in agroforestry and Plant Propagation and Nursery Management, and benefited from the disbursement of nursery maintenance equipments and tree seedlings.

Park-adjacent communities, local, state and federal government and non-government stakeholders are actively working together in the revision and implementation of a collaborative management plan for the Okomu National Park (ONP).

With financial support from the BIOPAMA AC Medium Grant and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), SCERA has supported the conservation efforts of Okomu National Park for almost two years. In January 2024, SCERA commenced activities during the first OBSP meeting in 2024 to support the Okomu National Park in the development of a participatory management plan. Subsequently, a workshop brought together local stakeholders to provide their inputs and agree on a roadmap for the development of the management plan. 

The solar powered bio-fermenter automatizes the fermentation process for preparation of biological inputs for natural farming. The system comprises two tanks (for fermentation and filtration), a battery-powered motor, and a time controller. The fermenter operates entirely on solar energy and features an automatic slurry stirrer that stirs the mixture six times a day, supplying oxygen at regular intervals to support microbial activity and consistent fermentation. The filtration process allows the output to be used in different application methods: as slurry for soil application, as a filtered solution for foliar spraying, or through drip irrigation systems.

The biofermenter can be adopted at the individual farm level or as part of a shared model. In the community-based approach, one farmer becomes a service provider, preparing natural inputs and supplying them to nearby farmers for a fee. This model supports local entrepreneurship and facilitates broader access to high-quality biological inputs, even for farmers who may not have the time or capacity to operate the fermenter themselves.

Despite the long-term cost-saving potential of the solar-powered bio-fermenters, uptake of the technology is significantly constrained by the initial investment cost, which are often prohibitive especially for smallholder farmers. To enable wider access, GIC established a revolving financing model through its partnering Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) KPM and CVA, which now serve as enablers for uptake by smallholder farmers in the region.

The FPOs secured a 10-year loan to fund the solar-powered bio-fermenters for their member farmers. Rather than distributing equipment for free or requiring full upfront payments, the FPOs implemented an internal repayment system, allowing farmers to repay the cost gradually over a one-year period.

Each year, a new group of farmers is supported using the repayments collected from the previous cycle. This system allows the same funds to circulate annually, effectively reaching a greater number of beneficiaries without the need for repeated external financing. Since the model’s implementation in 2021, already xxxxx farmers have benefitted from access to financing through the participating FPOs and are now able to produce organic inputs on-farm, significantly lowering their input costs. Over the full 10-year cycle, the FPOs plan to reach more than xxxxxx farmers.

The model reduces financial pressure on individual farmers, encourages responsible repayment, and strengthens the FPOs’ role as financial facilitators for their members. It also ensures that access to equipment is not limited to those who can afford high upfront costs or navigate formal credit systems, making the model far more inclusive and scalable.

Successfully establishing and scaling a social enterprise like a pad factory requires careful coordination with government authorities and strict compliance with legal requirements. This building block focuses on creating a strong foundation by building trust, ensuring legality, and protecting the enterprise from future risks.

The first step involves informing local and national government bodies about your project plans and activities. Regular communication not only builds transparency and trust but also makes it easier to gain support when needed. It ensures that the enterprise is seen as a responsible and contributing part of the community's development.

Secondly, it is crucial to coordinate with local or provincial offices to confirm that the factory is located appropriately and meets all zoning, operational, and environmental requirements. Early consultation helps avoid future legal complications and promotes smoother project implementation.

Before any physical construction begins, the enterprise must complete all legal steps, such as securing land use permits, building approvals, and environmental clearances. This process prevents future disputes and ensures that the factory is legally protected at every stage.

If the enterprise plans to import machinery or raw materials from abroad (for example, from India and Chaina), it is essential to follow all import rules, including documentation and tax payments. Compliance with import regulations helps avoid customs delays, penalties, and additional operational costs.

Further, to operate legally in the market, the enterprise must register officially and gain approval to sell its products, such as sanitary pads. Official registration enhances the company’s credibility among customers, partners, and regulatory bodies, opening doors to wider distribution opportunities.

Finally, it is critical to insure the factory, machinery, and assets against potential risks like fire, natural disasters, burglary, or other damages. Having appropriate insurance coverage provides financial protection and ensures business continuity even during unforeseen events.

By following these structured steps, the enterprise not only secures its legal standing but also strengthens its reputation, improves sustainability, and creates a solid platform for growth and social impact.

The model does not only enhance income opportunities for the women entrepreneurs around whom it is centered, but also creates a variety of additional jobs with different qualification levels across the value chain. By addressing all steps from raw produce to the market, the intervention generates employment in transport, processing, logistics, equipment maintenance, and quality control. According to S4S Technologies, more than 200 jobs were created through the project in Maharashtra and Karnataka alone, including field executives, production supervisors, technicians, drivers, porters, machine operators, and factory staff. In addition, 14% of the surveyed women entrepreneurs reported having created at least one job at their solar drying unit.

The simplest and cheapest pollination measure is the protection of bees and other pollinators in orchards, as these insects play an essential role in pollinating fruit trees. To this end, GIC promoted a dual approach which combines protective farming practices with the creation of on-farm habitats for pollinators.

Farmers were introduced to integrated pest management (IPM), which emphasizes alternatives to chemical pesticides as well as techniques such as scouting and pruning to reduce pest incidence. They were also encouraged to adopt bee-friendly practices such as avoiding pesticide use during flowering, applying only when necessary, with the right techniques and appropriate dosages, maintaining floral diversity throughout the year, and to closely coordinate with beekeepers. These measures help reduce harm to pollinators, cut input costs, and minimize chemical residues.

Complementing these practices, farmers installed simple, locally made nesting structures such as mud hives and bee hotels to support indigenous honeybees and wild pollinators. These native species are well adapted to local conditions and often remain active under cooler temperatures, making them especially valuable during critical flowering periods.

In addition to supporting farmers’ access to cold storages and value added services, the GIC project conducted awarenessraising trainings for farmers covering not only the operation of the technology itself, but also broader insights on how to avoid post-harvest losses. These trainings were designed as a replicable training module to benefit farmers on a broader scale. The module enables other practitioners and organisations in the enabling environment to learn about the approach and to pass practical knowledge on to farmers, empowering them to appropriately manage their produce and thereby maximising income.

The module includes a variety of topics aimed at giving farmers a comprehensive and actionable overview of the need for cold storage, the technologies and methods available, and how to adopt them effectively, including information on funding and government programs enabling their access. 

In addition to raising awareness, GIC aimed at strengthening farmers’ capacity to make use of cold storages systems in practice and covered topics such as system operation and crop-specific storage needs.

District forestry officers interacted with traditional leaders and communities that live around the targeted forest area. 

FLR is a long-term investment and local communities desire short term benefits to support their households and change behaviour. The support from National Bank enabled communities to get jobs for the completion of silvicultural tasks.