DRAFT REPORT ON INCEPTION MEETING ON. Promoting Climate Resilient Community Based Regeneration of Indigenous Forests in Zambia s Central Province

Transcription

1 DRAFT REPORT ON INCEPTION MEETING ON Promoting Climate Resilient Community Based Regeneration of Indigenous Forests in Zambia s Central Province HELD AT PROTEA LUSAKA August 2014

2 0.1 Acronyms... 0 Synopsis Opening session Presentations highlights Terms of Reference highlights PIF document Stakeholders contributions Assisted Natural Regeneration and Agro forestry (ANR) Participants feedback Fire observations and impact on forest management ZEMA presentation Miombo Integrated Fire Management Biocarbon partners Site selection Crosscutting concerns Closing session Appendix: List of Participants... 7

3 Report on Inception meeting on Promoting Climate Resilient Community Based Regeneration of Indigenous Forests in Zambia s Central Province 0.1 Acronyms AF ANR FD GEF ILUA MAL NGO NAPA PIF TDAU UNDP UNZA VAG s ZEMA Agroforestry Assisted Natural Regeneration Forestry Department Global Environment Facility Integrated Land Use Assessment Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Non Governmental Organisation National Adaptation Plan of Action Project Identification Form Technology Development Advisory Unit United Nation Development Programme University of Zambia Village action Group Zambia Environmental Management Agency

4 Synopsis This synthesis report represents summary of proceedings of inception meeting held at Protea Tower in Lusaka that discussed Climate Resilient Community Based Regeneration of Indigenous Forests in Zambia inception process of project development. The meeting was important top provide guidance and input to the Project development of this important national initiative. The meeting discussed critical elements relevant to elaborate the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) and Agroforestry discourse as well as fire management in supporting Climate Resilient Community Based Regeneration of Indigenous Forests in Zambia. The meeting informed the work of Consultants with valuable contribution necessary to inform the development of project document. 1.0 Opening session The opening session constituted of self introduction of participants after which key opening remarks by the UN system representative and the Director of Forests. The opening remarks delivered by the Director of Forester who served as a guest of Honour to the meeting welcomed all participants to the meeting. In his submission he appreciated the broad representation of stakeholders to that were in attendance to the inception meeting. He noted however that representation of communities and traditional leaders had been missed and encouraged organizers that in future meetings these key constituencies should be included as they formed important in stakeholder that should be involved in elaborating the roadmap particularly that they were directly impacted by not only climate change but were also the key target aspired under the initiative. He observed that Central province was an active region involved in agriculture and charcoal production. He elaborated that Central province possessed huge farming blocks, while at the same time had witnessed extensive charcoal production which both presented significance to the project. He commended the consultants for delivering inception report way in advance to the inception meeting which provide reasonable time for review of the documents. Participants were encouraged to fully participate and analyse critically the document prepared by Consultants and raise issues where necessary in order to provide feed back, improve the quality of the process and final document. 1

5 UNDP remarks were shared by the Mrs. Musonda in which she articulated importance of the initiative in addressing the NAPA country priorities. She elaborated the genesis of the development of the project under NAPA framework. She observed its importance as a second NAPA priority focal area after the agriculture sector for immediate adaptation actions for Zambia. She reminded the meeting that the initiative will provide double wins to the county in meeting both adaptation and mitigation aspirations because of the role that forests played in not only increasing adaptive capacity but also sequestration capacities. It was noted that impacts of climate change threatened integrity and resilience of Miombo forests systems and hence the need for assisted natural regeneration. Further she highlighted the purpose of the inception meeting which was centred on providing stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute and improve the work that Consultants had so far elaborated as road map and highlights of initial key activities proposed for consideration under the project preparation phase. It was underlined that stakeholder should ensure that the work of Consultant was responsive to the aspiration of stakeholders in line with the approach of GEF guidelines. She underpinned the innovation of linkages between Natural Resources and livelihood as well as incomes for local communities. 2.0 Presentations summary 2.1 Terms of Reference highlights The Local Consultant (Prof Matakala) shared the ToR that will guide Consultants in the project document development. Complementary to the preparation he shared initial impressions that Consultant had acquired following their field visit to selected districts which underlined among other things that over the years standard forest good practices appeared to have collapsed and thereby affected the state of the overall state and integrity of Miombo forest system. Impact of charcoal production appered to present significant Pressures on Forests need to identify alternative Livelihoods, Employment and Revenues in the Forestry sector. Additional issues observed noted how to harmonise the different policies in implementation as well as what had caused the low adoption of technologies such as improved stoves among communities. The consultants informed the stakeholders that there was no analysis done yet and the 2

6 presentation was merely initial impressions that Consultants had obtained. 2.2 PIF document highlights The International Consultant (Dr Ingrid Hartman) highlighted elements of the PIF Document. In the submission she highlighted key elements that will constitute the project document. She further introduced some preliminary scope of activities guided by the log frame. The presentaion also introduced key Cross-Cutting issues as mapped by Consultants. 2.3 Stakeholders contributions Participants observed that the value of ecosystems study under Forestry Department through ILUA II which is not yet completed, but initial data exists would be of relevance to the scope of the initiative. It was observed that improved charcoal kilns may not solve the charcoal problem but rather added value to other forest products since incomes are the real issues for communities. With this consideration it was important to consider dealing with local communities rather than individuals may not be appropriate. Consultants were pointed to consult Technology Development Advisory Unit (TDAU) of the University of Zambia (UNZA) who had done notable studies on charcoal and improved technologies relevant to the initiative It was underlined that there was need to interrogate the broader charcoal value chain in order to appreciate what was at play beyond the producer. The meeting advised Consultants that Village Action Groups (VAGs) may not be applicable but rather use of other existing structures such as Village Resource Management Committees where they existed. The Provincial Extension Officer cautioned on the statistics to be used which should be segregated to establish volumes of charcoal being produced in central province from that being attributed as mere transit route from Copperbelt and Muchinga provinces. The discussions observed that there was various leadership structures in the communities associated with forestry resources management which could be explored, strengthened, integrated to avoid duplication or creating new structures. 3

7 3.0 Assisted Natural Regeneration and Agro forestry (ANR) The presentation observed important Assisted Natural Regeneration techniques, advantages and disadvantage, definition and Justification of Agroforestry practices. In addition it discussed institutional issues bearing on Agroforestry. The presentations expressed concern on low attention that Agroforestry had attained following the emergence of Conservation Agriculture. The presentation highlighted how Agroforestry AF was a good concept that had realised low adoption at community level due to various reasons including the farmer s mindset. The assumption that it was slower than fertilizer to deliver results was cited as a possible constraining factor Participants feedback Limitations observed by communities included the lack seeds for AF species including species selected. It was noted that there were opportunities for Strategic positioning of AF technologies to improve its adoption rates by addressing some of the limitations. The discussions reflected on technical misunderstanding that Crop forecasts being commonly advanced that indicated that AF has extremely low yields, and how can communities be sensitized and empowered with correct version. The issue of length of time for farmers to realise the benefits slows the adoption rate of AF was observed as a factor. Other submissions included that AF practices should look further than maize production but also Assisted Natural Regeneration. What AF techniques are appropriate for central province should be clearly addressed. The meeting lamented that there was inclination towards Conservation Farming rather than AF which could offer a much comprehensive resilience technologies to communities. The meeting called for more experiences on Zambian scenarios rather than international ones. It was noted that Kasisi training centre needs to be incorporated for stakeholders as it had strong practical AF practice and information There meeting observed the need for Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) & Forestry Department to have increased interaction and inform analysis of what land size and practices was required to meet food security and generation of income. Other participants observations made included the need to strengthen and provide clarity on some of the methodological propositions that Consultants were elaborating as well as local experiences. 4

8 It was observed that there was the need to expand the partnership constituency to bring on board other stakeholders such as Kasisi Agriculture Institute as an important stakeholder. 4.0 Fire observations and impact on forest management 4.1 ZEMA presentation The presentation by Gift Sikaundi centred on the GIS fire capture technology being used to document local fire incidences. Importantly how the knowledge system would work closely with the initiative to Promoting Climate Resilient Community Based Regeneration of Indigenous Forests in Zambia s Central Province by appreciating the extent and intensity of fire. He highlighted how remotely sensed data could be used to monitor and manage wild fires in Zambia. Other aspects covered in the presentation include the thrust of the AMESD Project, SADC-Thema: Agriculture & Environmental Monitoring, MESA Services, overview of GEONETCast/EUMETCast and AFIS Receiving Station. Annual burnt areas by landcover type ( , Fire frequency between 2008 & 2012, VCI Difference between 1 st & 3 rd Decads of Sept and Fire intensity in Zambia (MODIS 2007 Active Fires) formed part of the presentation with experiences of Fires in Kafue National Park (2013). The meeting cautioned that there was need to ensure that the activities reflected the capacity applicability of the technology by local communities rather than high tech models that would be difficult to actualize at local level. 4.2 Miombo Integrated Fire Management The International Consulatnts complemented the presnetaion by ZEMA by underpinningfires in Miombo forests, its consequences. She also underlined the intergrated fire management system components necessary. She observed the value of ZEMA fire monitoring system to support district fire management. Important aspects presented covered fire prevention mechnaisms which included, technical actions, role of Legislation and Institutions for Law Enforcement, institutions, awareness raising and fire Suppression. Equipment and Manpower was also highlighted. 5

9 5.0 Biocarbon partners The presentation covered key practical highlights of private sector business model working with communities in efficient production of charcoal. It noted that the initiative was still in the learning phase that had demonstrated important challenges and complexities bearing on charcoal production which required a holistic approach. The presentation covered works being carried out on sustainable eco-charcoal project in Rufunsa project area that highlighted sustainable harvesting plan, improved forest Management, Sustainable Cutting practices, improved (Higher Efficiency)Kilns, higher payments to producers and overall business development approach. The presentation stimulated discussions from participants who enquired on various aspects ranging from sustainability to community benefits and its effects on reducing deforestation. 6.0 Site selection The Local Consultant (Prof Matakala) shared the proposed initial Matrix for Multi- Criteria Assessment for Site Selection with a view of obtaining in put. Options and criteria for guiding site selection were discussed. The meeting agreed that it was necessary that the process was transparent fair and objective and hence it should be informed beyond simple statistical tools. Consultants were requested to strengthen the site selection criteria with the inputs that had been received from the stakeholder and make them available for final adoption by stakeholder at a later meeting. 7.0 Crosscutting concerns Under the crosscutting issues the International Consultant elaborated arrays of elements that included Poverty reduction, general social inequality, land issues, Gender inequality, Research and innovation, Community Involvement, Valuation of Forest Ecosystem Services, Partnerships with NGOs and Private Sector, Capacity Gaps in the Forestry Sector. The submission reiterated need for partnerships with NGOs and Private Sector Capacity gaps in the Forestry Sector with particular reference to indequateof staff for forest monitoring etc.. How can this gap be filled by the project 8.0 Closing session The meeting was closed by the Provincial Extension Officer of Central province (Mr Musonda) who appreciated the constructive contribution of stakeholders. He noted that 6

10 the various inputs will be useful to sharpen the project document development by the Consultants and the spirit of constructive constitution should be upheld. 9.0 Appendix: List of Participants 7