Securing the genetic resource base of Indigenous plants species: A Community Biodiversity Conservation Initiative
Securing the genetic resource base of Indigenous plants species: A Community Biodiversity Conservation Initiative
Restoration of Chilghoza forest ecosystem in Suleman range, Balochistan province, Pakistan
Participative dispute management
Out of several other potential solutions, the one that really worked was embedded deep in the community norms and culture. In order to solve longstanding communal conflicts that hindered the restoration of land and protection of the Chilgoza forest ecosystem, the programme seek consultation and advice from representatives and heads of the involved communities. Starting with a smaller group of forest owner families in conflict over an abandoned piece of communal agricultural land, the programme was able to set an successful example for a dispute settlement approach in the region that enabled further landscape restoration activities.
Trust of local community, participation of community leaders and government support.
The programmes facilitation to use local knowledge for identification of a solution supporting their culture and norms was crucial.
Open-grazing and over-cutting in dryland areas reduces vegetative cover, making them prone to erosion and causing downstream flooding.
DryDev introduced FMNR as a low-cost community-led approach that build consensus on how to manage and govern open-grazing areas through local by-laws (including fines for non-compliance). FMNR uses selective pruning to assist recovering trees and stumps. In denuded areas where root stocks are not present, enrichment planting was undertaken to maximize vegetative cover in the protected areas.
Physical structures were also used, such as terraces, trenches, half-moons, check-dams and gully reclamation structures.
Biological and physical structures in open grazing areas (now protected) led to rapid vegetative recovery, recovery of springs and the rise of groundwater. Smallholders improved their water access for household needs, for small crops and fruit trees, and for animals.
Community visioning was needed to remind the community what the landscape once looked like, and to imagine the restored state.
Testing new ideas, such as FMNR, in small plots was useful to members who were unsure of the benefits. Bringing farmers to existing FMNR sites and to talk with other farmers convinced them of the benefits. Bringing government on board also assisted with uptake.
Water harvesting proved to assist greatly with the speed of vegetative recovery.
Solutions like FMNR are low-cost, scalable and replicable with spontaneous adoption observed in neighbouring sub-watersheds.
Actions that link smallholders with markets and financial services
Beekeeping as a complimentary value chain in recovering landscapes
World Vision
Honey sales from beekeeping
World Vision
Value chain development and integrated market systems development were essential tools to link environmental restoration with economic resilience. Farmers were mobilized and organized into groups, associations and cooperatives; groups organized around selected value chains, with groups enabled to sign contracts and share resources and capacities. Improved bargaining was made possible due to the confidence in producing a harvest, thanks to sufficient water.
Sufficient water led farmers to have confidence to engage with markets and with financial services.
Organizational development was needed to assist in groups as they matured and faced new problems.
Multi-stakeholder platforms were formed around certain value chains to bring all players together and resolve market bottlenecks. Farmers, suppliers and buyers often all benefited from these discussions.
Leadership development is critical in landscape restoration. Similarly, governance and oversight or accountability mechanisms (such as via government bodies) also are essential in smooth handling of potential problems along the way.
Actions that boost on-farm productivity through relevant training to enhance capacities
Savings groups receiving coaching during their monthly meeting
World Vision
The technical capacities of smallholder farmers need to be strengthened in ways that are suitable to their situation and of relevance to their context. DryDev did this by focusing on skills needed to improve productivity in dryland environments, such as climate-smart agriculture, on-farm water-harvesting, and small-scale irrigation.
Similarly, newly formed groups need capacity development in governance, organization and management skills, problem-solving, and coaching on how to best link with external players and government actors.
Alignment with government priorities proved to be an strong enabling factor in provision of capacity training.
Matching smallholder farmers needs with training was essential.
Community should be able to select what they would like training in, while options may also be presented. Training needs to be practical and relevant to the local context. Local government counterparts may be unaware of national government policies, and themselves may be in need of refresher training on current legislation and updated sector strategies.
