Biomass energy inefficiency, unsustainable land use practices and food insecurity what do rural communities in Swaziland have to say?

Transcription

1 Biomass energy inefficiency, unsustainable land use practices and food insecurity what do rural communities in Swaziland have to say? LYNN KOTA SWAZILAND WATER AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE LOWER USUTHU SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT PROJECT

2 What are the energy issues Deforestation as a result of the need for fuel wood in rural areas in Swaziland Degradation of forest resources and its adverse effects on the rural economy Acceptability of fuel efficient devises to combat deforestation and in turn improve the rural economy 2

3 What are the food production issues Use of unsustainable land management practices and its adverse effects on the environment and in turn on the rural economy Land degradation and its resultant effects on agriculture and in turn on the rural economy Acceptability of a variety of sustainable land management practices to combat land degradation and to increase agricultural productivity 3

4 Household survey 1 Interview of 1217 randomly selected households in specific Chiefdoms (fuel efficiency) Structured questionnaire used to conduct survey to investigate following issues Household demographics Household income and main expenditure Energy source and use Household cooking pattern Knowledge of fuel efficient cook stoves and perceptions thereof Knowledge of biogas use and perceptions theror Data analysis focusing on the following: Household profiles Fuel use and preferences Current cook stoves being used Knowledge and acceptability of fuel efficient cook stoves Knowledge and acceptability of biogas 4

5 Household survey 2 Interview of 500 randomly selected households that have been trained in conservation agriculture and permaculture gardening Structured questionnaire used to conduct survey to investigate following issues Household demographics Household income and main expenditure Technologies in use for arable farming Changes, if any, in the use of the technologies in the past 10 years and why Knowledge of new farming technologies and perception thereof Data analysis focusing on the following: Household profiles Preferences of farming technologies Knowledge and acceptability of conservation agriculture and permaculture gardening 5

6 Conclusion There is potential for a wide uptake of fuel efficient cookstoves. A majority of respondents that have livestock highlighted that they prefer to use biogas, but need some training on it. Uptake of fuel efficient and and biogas devices will be driven by the reality and extent of land degradation as a result of deforestation, Uptake will also be driven by the degradation of forest products, particularly for the production of honey 6

7 Conclusions Communities are aware of the changing climatic patterns and the need to change their farming patterns thereof There is potential for the uptake of sustainable land management practices as communities are currently experiencing the adverse effects of climate change Adaptation will be driven mainly by the reducing agricultural productivity and the effects of that on the rural economy Nutritional issues, particularly in the face of HIV and AIDS will also drive climate change adaptation initiatives at the community level 7

8 Main Recommendation Awareness raising on the need for and importance of energy conservation, sustainable land management and related issues. Demonstration and correct use of fuel efficient and biogas devices. Demonstration and continued training on conservation agriculture and permaculture gardening. Identification and capacitation of lead farmers to mentor other farmers Provision of incentives to use fuel efficient and biogas devises Provision of incentives to practice conservation agriculture and permaculture gardening 8

9 Institutional fuel efficient stove 9

10 Conservation agriculture 10

11 Permaculture gardening 11

12 Roof top water harvesting 12

13 Land rehabilitation 13

14 Lets not blow it- good planets are hard to find.