The agricultural service provides farm-specific advice on choice of crop and the best combination of seeds (varieties), fertilizer, pesticides, cultivation and irrigation technology. The purpose of this building block is to provide the farmers with the best available knowledge to guide their decisions and practice.
Sometimes it may happen that the agronomist advises the farmers to apply a needed input at a certain time, but the farmers do not follow this advice, since at that time they either do not have the financial means for purchasing the recommended inputs or lack access to it. Thus, the provision of advice would not be effective.
The local agricultural extension service combines long-year experience in the specific region with knowledge on internationally available best practices. Further, the extension service collaborates closely with the agricultural departments in the respective districts and it is trusted by the farmers. The collaboration with the GIZ project allowed for the integration of additional state-of-the art technologies.
Agricultural extension needs to be tailored to the specific conditions of the local farmers and all advise has to take into consideration their needs and opportunities, while providing new knowledge and directly applicable suggestions.
Collecting Agirnutrition and Konwledge, Attitude and Practice Data
Reliable and recent data about the study community is a key contributor to the success of an intervention.
Data provides prior knowledge of the community and possible areas of collaboration with other exisiting projects, if any exist.
In our Vihiga project, results of the baseline survey informed us of the current situation (exisiting nutritional gaps). The results were also shared with the communities and it is from these findings that the communties based their deliberations and came up with possible ways of tackling the problems found.
For scaling up of the project in Turkana and Ethiopia, we will utilize agrinutrition data collected earlier in both areas.
Data collection in the mid and end will help determine the effectiveness or otherwise of the intervention
Selection of a representative sample
Accuracy in data collection, entry and analysis
Simplified dissemination of research findings to enable uderstanding by the community hence relevant intervention.
It is important to carry out a diagnostic study before any intervention plans in order to establish exisiting gaps
Our use of mixed methods in data collection helped in data verification
It is important to invest in the whole research process-data collection, cleaning and analysis for accurate representative results.
Collecting Agirnutrition and Konwledge, Attitude and Practice Data
Designing Community Action Plans
Partnerships and collaboration around nutritional security
Participatory process design and implementation
Training by application.
Mata Atlântica Project, GIZ Brazil
The starting-point was the agreement on the methodological steps (see BB 1) for the pilot project, including the involvement of key stakeholders and capacity development needs and measures. The upcoming revision of the management plan was an ideal entry-point for the integration of EbA and the work plan the key instrument. It defines that EbA should be treated in thematic meetings with different stakeholder groups and a workshop, in a specific chapter of the management plan and as part of an EbA Action Programme. Training of the core team was then followed by the collection of climate-related data and information which fed into the sessions with communities and a workshop.
Agreements with and support from staff responsible for approval of management plans.
Clearly defined and broadly accepted work plan.
The adaptation process should consider the ecosystem characteristics and the social and economic conditions within and beyond protected area boundaries. Therefore, a continuous and participatory process is needed, adressing the conservation priorities, climate and other risks as well as the needs and interest of stakeholders.
The more participatory the process is being conducted, the more likely the EbA approach is to be integrated into the management plan of the protected area.
There is a need do identify and involve all departments and levels of hierarchy of the organizations responsible for the protected area in order to ensure the integration of EbA. In our case, the final review by the superiors resulted in delays and observation, as some of them had not been involved previously.
It is important to involve professionals with experience in EbA and protected area management planning. First of all, the project had to qualify professionals and other stakeholders involved in the process in order to succeed with the integration of the EbA-approach into the management plan.
Discussion of main elements of the EbA Action Programme.
Mata Atlântica Project, GIZ Brazil
Through the elaboration of an EbA Action Program , the EbA approach was institutionally anchored in the protected area “Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe”. In addition, the methodological approach will be applied in eleven other protected areas in four federal states of the country through strategic partnerships with the Brazilian Environmental Ministry (MMA), the Brazilian Environmental Agenday (ICMBio) and others. The aspiration is that in the future, all protected area management plans consider EbA as a strategic response to climate change.
Agreements with and support from staff responsible for the elaboration and approval of management plans at central level of the protected area authority.
Partnerships with other projects and financiers are an important catalyst and trigger point for replication, up- and broad-scaling.
It requires time as well as financial and personal resources to develop ready-to-use methodological approaches and to advocate for their dissemination and integration.
There is a need to balance generalizable and context-specific issues.
Methodological approach for integrating climate change and EbA measures into protected area management planning
Spatial mapping of climate change impacts.
Mata Atlântica Project, GIZ Brazil
Spatial mapping of climate change impacts.
Mata Atlântica Project, GIZ Brazil
Spatial mapping of climate change impacts.
Mata Atlântica Project, GIZ Brazil
Methodological approach
GIZ
The methodological approach consists of the following steps (see also graphic in the gallery):
Collection of perceptions of involved professionals and other stakeholders with regard to key climate risks and spatial mapping of these risks.
Identification of key biophysical and socio-economic impacts of climate change in the region, in part by checking perceptions of stakeholders, in part by publicly available scientific data.
Assessment of ecosystem services relevant for human well-being and/or climate change adaptation with stakeholders during a workshop.
Definition of site-specific adaptation options and measures, including EbA.
Integration of results into the management plan.
Capacity development through courses and on-the-job training as a crucial accompanying measure.
Availability of both scientific and other types and sources of knowledge and information.
Participation and contributions from technical staff and citizens.
The first milestone was levelling knowledge about climate change concepts and issues among the participants. In this regard, the dynamic and participative format of the meetings and workshops was crucial for strengthening the understanding of main concepts and the appreciation and integration of stakeholder perspectives and knowledge into the management plan.
The risk assessment should go beyond the conservation site and address its whole area of influence (e.g. water basins as an orientation for the scope).
Participatory approaches and the integration of perceptions of climate change impacts can result in differing views. The responsible team needs to be prepared to deal with it.
Likewise, the collection of local knowledge and perceptions can be resource-intensive and needs to be well-prepared.
The integration of climate change risks and implementation of adaptation actions in conservation management is a rather new and complex task which is influenced by factors differing from site to site. Therefore, the adaptation process should be area-specific.
Promotion of income-generating activities and of improved stoves
examples of improved cookstoves
GIZ
Use of an improved cookstove
GIZ
The lack of fire and construction wood is a major challenge for the beneficiaries of the initiative. Therefore, we put into practice a holistic and inclusive approach:
Strengthening the beneficiaries’ capacities for setting up and managing a social community space, taking into account the necessary resources
The collection and processing of NTFPs from the restored plot, such as Neem seeds for oil production (income-generating activities)
Gender mainstreaming: construction of improved stoves that is carried out by two Trainers Coordinators: Woman/Man who supervises the activities, who will in turn train Relay Trainers in the target villages in construction, awareness and means of popularization of improved stoves and aware of the problem of wood energy. TwoTypes of improved stoves were used: "foyers améliorés 3 pierres", "foyers améliorés Bill-Bill". They increased their source of income, reduced the use of firewoods.
While the recently planted trees and plants are still growing, 35 women have received training to build improved stoves using clay and straw which are raw materials found in nature (zero cost). This improves the living conditions of the population and reduces the pressure on the remaining natural resources.
Effective participation of women
Availability of the raw material (clay and straw)
Two women form a neighbouring village (Doualaré), who themselves were trained by GIZ Wood-Energy Experts, trained the women of the project site regarding the construction and use of improved stoves. This kind of ‘farmer-to-farmer training’ empowers women and disseminates the techniques.
Micro-zoning of the selected plot according to the soil type, the topography and the identification of adapted local plant and tree species
Seedlings of selected local tree species for reforestation
GIZ
Seedlings of selected local tree species for reforestation
GIZ
Community members and experts developed a topographic map of the selected plot showing the different soil types and adapted local plant and tree species. Two main soil types have been identified:
The soils of the mountainsides: stony surfaces; horizon 1 (0 to 20 cm) is silty sandy with a mixture of stony grains; horizon 2 (20 to 40 cm) is dominated by large stones and a small proportion of soil and horizon 3: (40 to more) was not accessible. For this soil type, the appropriate species are: Acacia (Acacia nilotica, Acacia Sieberiana, Acacia seyal), Neem Azadirachta indica, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana), River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).
The site bed is dominated by vertisols (i.e. soils with a high content of expansive clay minerals) with local withdrawal slots: horizon 1 (0 to 40 cm) composed of silt and clay and horizon 2 (40 to more) a mixture of silt, clay and stony grains. Suitable species include: Khaya (Khaya senegalensis), Cassia (Cassia siamea), African black plum (Vitex doniana), River Red Gum(Eucalyptus camadulensis), Winter thorn (Faidherbia albida), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and other fruit trees.
Depending on these different soil types, a mini-zoning allowed to delimit 11 blocks occupied by eight selected species.
Full involvement of the designated local facilitators who are willing to follow-up on the activities on a daily basis
Participatory selection of the plant and tree species to guarantee a useful reforestation
Adoption of the micro-zoning approach
It is pivotal to take into account the physical characteristics of the plot for the success of the initiative including soil characteristics and topography by involving local experts. This allows to identify solutions for restoration that are sustainable and profitable in the short, medium and long term.
Promoting ownership of the social community-based restoration initiative and the participation of all social classes
Active participation of women and the youth in the village nursery protected by a live fence
GIZ
An initial meeting between the traditional and religious authorities of Mogazang was held to gather all useful information and raise awareness among the population. As a next step, a socio-economic study was carried out in order to understand the potential social, economic and environmental impacts and challenges of the restoration initiative. The elaboration of a map by the community members under the guidance of the advisory team allowed the demarcation of a plot of degraded land (10.74 ha) for restoration. The reforestation initiative aimed at providing firewood, fodder, food products and medicinal plants, among others. The government owns the selected plot, under the supervision of the Executive Bureau for Development of the village. However, it is managed ‘by the people, for the people’.
Always ensure that the population’s concerns are well understood and that the proposed solutions will indeed contribute to solve their problem
Involve representatives of all member groups of the society (particularly women and children)
Ensure that there is no conflict of interest or disputed land rights regarding the project site
Select qualified local people with sufficient education to write short activity reports and foresee their technical and managerial capacity building
Given the habits and customs of the Muslim community in the area where the initiative is implemented, it was challenging to actively involve women in the discussions.
Subsequently, we were able to demonstrate the benefits of incorporating the women’s perspective in the discussions and thus achieved their better integration. Indeed, women are those who, on a daily basis, travel long distances in search of firewood justifying the need to involve them in the activities of the initiative.
To achieve the feeling of ownership among the beneficiaries it is necessary to have administrative and traditional authorities to mobilise them.These authorities, however, tend to emphasize the monetary aspect, which can reduce the achievement of the objectives.
