COMMUNITY-BASED FORESTRY PROJECT (COBAF)

Transcription

1 COMMUNITY-BASED FORESTRY PROJECT (COBAF) ANNUAL REPORT: JULY 27 - JUNE 28 Prepared By W Trent Bunderson, Zwide Jere & Paul Garside TOTAL LANDCARE July 28 A Program Implemented by Washington State University and Total Landcare with Sponsorship from Philip Morris International, Philip Morris USA, Imperial Tobacco Company & Tobacco Exporters Association of Malawi

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...1 OBJECTIVES...1 TLC S EXTENSION APPROACH...1 SUMMARY OF KEY RESULTS...2 JULY 27 JUNE 28 WORKPLAN RESULTS...4 CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES...1 PROJECT IMPACTS...11 CONCLUSIONS...11 SUCCESS STORIES...13 Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report i

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Community-based Forestry Project (COBAF) is being implemented by Washington State University (WSU) and Total Landcare (TLC) through a memorandum of agreement with financial assistance from the Tobacco Exporters Association of Malawi (TEAM), Philip Morris International (PMI), Philip Morris, USA (PMUSA) and Imperial Tobacco Company. The project which began in October 23 was for 5 years and has just completed its fifth year. This year marks the last year of the project in terms of phase I. In May 28, TEAM communicated that it is no longer able to continue support towards COBAF. Funding from Imperial was committed for a period of 3 years up to 27/8, with no clear indication of future participation in the program. Based on discussions held between PMI, WSU and TLC on May 19, 28 in Lausanne, Switzerland, a decision was reached to make COBAF part of the Enhancing Rural Livelihoods Project (ENRL) starting in the 28/9 workplan. This is meant to accord COBAF farmers with opportunities to benefit from other livelihood interventions promoted under ENRL. It will also streamline the planning of field activities and production of reports and workplans. The proposed change will not cause any programmatic disruptions as both ENRL and COBAF follow the same approach. Furthermore, all COBAF interventions are promoted under ENRL. OBJECTIVES The overall goal of the program is to increase the capacity of targeted rural communities to sustainably use and manage forest resources leading to reduced environmental degradation and increased market opportunities to generate income. The premise of this goal is two-fold: There is growing recognition among rural communities to maintain and improve the resource base upon which their livelihoods depend. The market for natural resource products is huge and growing - every household and every sector of the economy requires wood for energy, building material, and many other uses. Achieving this goal is being accomplished through the following objectives: 1. Increased planting of trees and bamboo on individual and communal lands (a) to satisfy local building and energy needs and (b) to generate income through improved market opportunities to produce, process and sell products from tree and bamboo based enterprises. 2. Managing and enriching indigenous woodlands and riverine/stream bank habitats to preserve the ecological integrity, productivity and biodiversity of the rural environment for the benefit of the community. Key examples include: reduced loss of valuable top soil; improved water infiltration; increased ground and surface water supplies; increased availability/diversity of tree-based products such as fruits, timber, forage, medicines, oils, resins, dyes, etc. 3. Promoting measures to reduce wood use, focusing on (a) planting local bamboo as a practical alternative to wood from trees, and (b) introducing improved woodstoves. TLC S EXTENSION APPROACH The project uses an integrated approach to empower communities to take responsibility for improving their livelihoods. The appeal of this approach lies in the multi-purpose uses of trees and their role in maintaining the soil, water and vegetative base. In this context, communities and households benefit directly through increased crop and wood yields, more productive use of labor, and opportunities to increase incomes by developing enterprises based on natural resource products. TLC s principles focus on 1) empowering people to become self sufficient by transferring knowledge, skills and tools; and 2) building capacity and sustainability based on a policy of payment for goods and services. Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 1

4 SUMMARY OF KEY RESULTS The change in the work calendar which now starts in July rather than October gives enough lead time to facilitate tree nursery establishment which needs to start in August to allow for timely tree outplanting in December/January. Since it normally takes 2 months for PMI to approve each workplan, funding of start-up activities for 27/8 was not much of a constraint as compared to previous years. 1. One field co-ordinator fell sick prior to the start of the 27/8 season. However, a replacement field officer was found and activities at the site resumed unhindered. 2. Below are the main field results across the project sites during the last twelve months with highlights shown in Table 1 and details in Table 2. Figure 1 gives a graphical overview of cumulative results from October 23 June 28. o o o o o 27,538 participating households in 2,162 villages 2,18 nurseries with 8,656,668 tree and 91,55 bamboo seedlings 7,764,96 trees planted covering an area of approximately 1,553 hectares 536 ha of natural forest under management with regenerating trees 4,983 households using improved kitchen stoves in 591 villages Table 1: Summary of July 27 - June 28 Field Results Results Participation Districts (#) 6 Villages (#) 2,162 Participating Households (#) 27,538 Participating Beneficiaries (#) 137,69 Forestry Program Nurseries (#) 2,18 Bamboo Seedlings (#) 91,55 Tree Seedlings (#) 8,656,668 Tree Outplanting Trees Planted (# all types) 7,764,96 Total Area under Planted Trees (ha) 1,553 Bamboo Planting (#) 7,474 Fruit Trees (#) 33 Live Barns (# ) 12 Sustainable Management of Natural Trees and Woodlands Natural Woodlands Under Management (ha) 536 Improved stoves Villages (#) 591 Households (#) 4,983 Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 2

5 Area Natural Regeneration (Ha) No. Fruit Trees & Bamboo No. of Trees Planted (All Types) No. Villages No. Households No. Villages No. Households No. of Nurseries No. of Tree Seedlings Figure 1: Graphic Overview of Cumulative Results: October 23 June 28 2,5 2, 1,5 1, Number of Participating Villages and Households Per Annum (Not Cumulative) 5 23/4 24/5 25/6 26/7 27/8 No. of Villages No. of Households 5, 45, 4, 35, 3, 25, 2, 15, 1, 5, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Cumulative Number of Nurseries and Tree Seedlings Raised 23/4 24/5 25/6 26/7 27/8 # of Nurseries # of Tree Seedlings Raised 35,, 3,, 25,, 2,, 15,, 1,, 5,, Cumulative Planting of Trees and Bamboo Improved Kitchen Mud Stoves 4, 3,, 8 14, 35, 25,, 3, 2,, 25, 2, 15,, 15, 1,, 1, 5,, 5, 23/4 24/5 25/6 26/7 27/8 # Fruit Trees # Bamboo Seedlings /4 24/5 25/6 26/7 27/8 12, 1, 8, 6, 4, 2, # Trees (All Types) # Villages # Households Cumulative Natural Tree Regeneration (Ha) 1,8 1,6 1,4 1,2 1, /4 24/5 25/6 26/7 27/8 Note: Columns relate to the Y axis on the left, line graphs to the right Notes on Cumulative Results: There has been a steady increase in the number of villages participating although this has not led to a corresponding increase in number of households. Cumulatively, many farmers have been reached but an assessment is needed to distinguish new farmers from old ones to establish the actual total number of farmers involved over the life of the project. Since the start of the project, over 29 million trees and 433, bamboo seedlings were raised in 7,761 nurseries. Of these, over 26 million trees and 354, bamboo seedlings were outplanted. Survival rates are generally high across project sites averaging 85%. Adoption of improved kitchen stoves has increased from 418 households in 23/4 to 4,983 in 27/8. Cumulative adoption over the 5 year period is 11,781 households. Natural tree regeneration has covered a total area of 1,613 ha across all district sites since initiating the intervention in 24/5. This is proving to be an important and popular intervention as it helps to restore the original biodiversity of the natural landscape. Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 3

6 JULY 27 JUNE 28 WORKPLAN RESULTS Introduction This section describes activities carried out between July 27 and June 28. The section is structured as follows: General: describes project set up, procurement, project sites and activities carried to achieve the project objectives. Field Results: reviews results achieved over the reporting period. Project Organization and Management Trent Bunderson, Zwide Jere, and Paul Garside oversee and manage the program. At the field level, program activities are implemented through a network of field coordinators based in the districts where they operate. Funds are managed by an accountant with oversight from the Finance and Administration Officer, M/s Victoria Kambalame. The project is reaping the benefits of 16 volunteers that were recruited and trained last season. Their role is to assist field coordinators with their extension services, and results have proved positive. Use of this approach will continue in the next workplan. Procurement A detailed breakdown of procurements is shown in Table A. Table A: Procurement Status Against Targets for 27/8 27/8 Workplan PMI/PMUSA TEAM IMPERIAL Item Unit Target Status Target Status Target Status Capital Items Mountain Bikes # 5 5 N/A N/A N/A N/A Motor Cycles # 1 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A Forestry Materials Sets of Nursery Tools # 1,37 1, Seed kg 1,253 1, Polythene Tubes # 5,5, 5,5, 1,, 1,, 9, 9, Grafted Mother Fruit Trees # N/A = Not applicable for this season Project Sites The program covers nine district sites as follows: Kasungu: Lisasadzi Extension Planning Area (EPA) Dowa: Mvera EPA Ntchisi: Kasakula EPA Mchinji: Kapiri EPA Lilongwe: Chiwamba, Chigonthi, Mitundu and Nathenje EPAs Blantyre: Chipande EPA Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 4

7 Implementation Activities Activities to achieve project outputs are summarized under each result area as follows: 1. Increased planting of trees and bamboo on individual and communal lands (a) to satisfy local building and energy needs and (b) to generate income through improved market opportunities to produce, process and sell products from tree and bamboo based enterprises: Sensitizing and mobilizing communities, including setting up village committees to spearhead the implementation of the program Site verification for establishing tree nurseries Delivery of field supplies and inputs for tree nurseries Training community members in tree nursery management, tree outplanting and management 2. Managing and enriching indigenous woodlands and riverine/stream bank habitats to preserve the ecological integrity, productivity and biodiversity of the rural environment for the benefit of the community: Facilitating in the identification and demarcation of village forest areas. Training communities in management practices which include harvesting dead wood, selective thinning of scrubby or malformed trees to give space for the development of the better stronger trees, and trimming shoots of young regenerating trees to promote vertical growth. Training in the formulation of bye-laws to regulate the use of resources from the village forest areas. 3. Promoting measures to reduce wood use, focusing on (a) planting local bamboo as a practical alternative to wood from trees, and (b) introducing improved woodstoves: Training communities in propagation of bamboo using seed and in outplanting techniques Facilitating in construction of improved wood stoves FIELD RESULTS Results are presented below with a breakdown in Table 2 against targets. Village and Household Participation A total of 2,162 villages were identified and mobilized to initiate project activities benefiting 27,538 households (see Table 2). A total of 137,69 households benefited from project interventions. Although there has been an increase in the number of participating villages, the total number of households registered was lower than the target of 35,. As reported in the 26/7 annual report, the increase in the number of villages is due to the fact that some villages split into more than one while the number of participating households remained more or less the same. Some households drop out as they reach the limit in terms of area available for tree planting. A further problem is the need to distinguish between new participating households from old ones. Cumulative numbers cannot be provided until the distinction is made to avoid double counting from one year to the next. This issue is being rectified through the development of a comprehensive database to register each farmer in each village and to record the interventions he or she is undertaking. Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 5

8 Training Practical training courses and sensitization meetings for communities at selected villages were organized by field staff in all district sites. Topics covered included a) leadership skills and group dynamics; b) development of village-based action plans; c) nursery management and outplanting; d) conservation of village forest areas and e) construction of kitchen mud stoves. A total of 856 courses were organized benefiting 25,724 farmers. In addition, 576 sensitization meetings were held with 32,446 villagers. Farmer courses were complemented with field days and demonstrations which totalled 22 and 1,634 respectively. Field days and demonstrations reached 4,22 and 35,26 farmers, respectively. Forestry Program Results have been impressive, particularly on tree outplanting, natural regeneration and adoption of the improved stove (see Table 2). Results on planting of local bamboo were below the target for reasons described below. 1. Tree/Bamboo Nurseries The main activity was to sensitize, mobilize and train communities on nursery establishment and management. A total of 8,656,668 tree seedlings and 91,55 bamboo seedlings were raised in 2,18 nurseries across all project sites. The number of tree seedlings raised was above the target. However, the number of bamboo seedlings was much lower than planned (47% achievement) due to seed viability problems. As reported in the 26/7 annual report, the local bamboo species flowered 3-4 years ago and is not expected to flower again until after 17-2 years from now. The remaining bamboo seed is currently undergoing a germination test to determine its viability for use in the following planting season. In addition, TLC will continue to investigate other sources of bamboo seed either from within Africa or Asia. A communal tree nursery with healthy seedlings Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 6

9 2. Tree Outplanting and Management Impressive results were achieved during the year as shown in Table 2. A total of 7,649,66 trees were planted versus a target of 7,,, representing a 111% achievement. Trees were planted in different forms: homesteads and boundaries, communal woodlots, live fencing, roadsides and streambanks. Some trees were also planted to improve soil fertility on farm land, which mainly involved Faidherbia albida (winter thorn). Survival rates are generally high, averaging 85% across district sites. This is above the national average of 65% reported by the Department of Forestry. The high survival rate is attributable to use healthy seedlings, timely and proper outplanting with the first rains, and good tending of young seedlings after outplanting. 3. Planting of Local Bamboo 4-year old Senna spectabilis planted along a farm boundary 91,55 seedlings were raised from seed of which 7,474 were outplanted. Only 47% of the targeted seedlings were produced and 43% planted due to the reasons stated above. 4. Fruit Tree Planting Only 33 fruit trees were distributed and planted representing 7% of the target. The reason for the low achievement is due to a change in policy regarding fruit tree extension. The new approach delivers quality seedlings to selected individuals in the communities, who will then be trained in propagation techniques for further expansion and commercialization of the program. Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 7

10 The new approach is more sustainable and will provide community members with a business opportunity and source of income. Fruits targeted were citrus, mango, paw-paw and guava. 5. Natural Tree Regeneration This practice has enormous potential to increase the number and diversity of trees in rural areas due to the high inherent propensity for natural trees to regenerate. The advantages of this practice are: a) there is no need to undergo the high cost and effort of raising and outplanting tree seedlings; b) it provides an opportunity to restore the natural biodiversity of the area which is not possible with tree planting, and c) high rates of survival and growth are assured due to well-established root systems of species well-adapted to the environment. Activities involved identifying, demarcating, and managing village and individual forest areas. Management practices include harvesting dead wood, selective thinning of scrubby or malformed trees to give space for the development of the better stronger trees, and trimming shoots of young regenerating trees to promote vertical growth. Communities were also taught in the formulation bye-laws to regulate the use of resources from the village forest areas. A total of 536 ha were demarcated against a target of 375. The number of regenerating trees in these areas was not assessed. This will be done later using proven ecological inventory methods. The majority of villagers continue to show keen interest in this practice due to the multiple uses and benefits derived from natural woodlands. Hence, many more areas are to be designated for this purpose during the coming workplan. Management of Village Forest Area to promote natural regeneration Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 8

11 6. Improved Wood Stoves The main focus was to identify new villages, conduct awareness campaigns on the benefit of the fuel efficient stoves and to train households in their construction and use. A total of 4,983 households are using the improved wood stoves in 591 villages. This represents 83% and 118% of the original target, respectively. Once again, the increased number of villages is due to the fact that some villages split into more than one while the number of new households participating remained more or less similar to last year s results. 7. Live Barns This practice involves planting trees to replace poles in building tobacco curing and grading barns. Use of live trees in this manner significantly reduces the need for poles, and hence reduces deforestation. Success depends on selecting fast-growing species with the ability to coppice well as the trees must be pruned regularly at the level of the roof. Species targeted include Albizia lebbeck, A. procera, Gmelina arborea, Senna siamea and S. spectabilis. By the end of June 28, a total of 12 live barns were established. Improved wood stove in use Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 9

12 A women group demonstrating portable ceramic stoves at a field day CONSTRAINTS AND CHALLENGES The following were some of the key constraints and challenges that influenced project results: Contrary to TLC s principles, certain NGOs and donor-funded projects, sometimes under the influence of some government extension agents, give out free handouts to attract participation from farmers. Efforts have been made to approach such organizations with the aim of minimizing programmatic conflicts. As has been the case before, demands from farmers are ever increasing, while human and financial resources remain the same. In addition, food security, income, potable water and sanitation remain major concerns for the majority of households in the COBAF sites. The limited range of interventions under the project precludes these households from addressing their various needs. In some instances, more than one organization is operating within the same area and implementing similar activities with different approaches. This creates conflicts and duplicates efforts. TLC always conducts a stakeholders analysis of the target areas with the aim to relocate staff where other organizations have similar activities. Unfortunately, the converse is not true, which has caused the problems stated. Communal planting is affected by limited availability of communal land. Individuals with adequate land are instead being encouraged to establish their own woodlots. TLC sites have become models to government, NGOs and others to the extent that some organizations claim ownership of TLC achievements made through the project. Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 1

13 PROJECT IMPACTS The project has had far reaching impacts on the livelihoods of the people in the target district sites over the last 5 years as follows: The project has benefited over 45, households or 215,755 individuals. This is a conservative figure to ensure that there is no double counting of households from year to year. A full enumeration is planned using a farmer database under the new project which will integrate COBAF with ENRL. Empowerment of communities has been a major achievement through hands-on training in nursery establishment, tree outplanting/management, conservation of natural woodlands and energy saving technologies. Knowledge and skills transfer is key to sustaining programs among rural communities. The results will leave lasting impacts on the communities as they will be able to continue addressing the challenges with limited external support. Environmental awareness campaigns have generated public interest and debate about the need to conserve our environment. This is manifested in the increasing interest by the public to preserve natural woodlands. TLC has used radio to increase outreach through a memorandum of understanding with Zodiac Broadcasting Station (ZBS), a local, privatelyowned radio station. Over 26 million trees have been planted across project sites. This is no mean achievement given the size of the project in relation to bigger organizations that do not match up to TLC s achievements. The Department of Forestry recognizes this success and its significant contribution to the national tree planting efforts. The majority of households who started participating in project activities during the first and second years of the project are reaping the benefits from tree products in terms of income generation, firewood and construction material for dwelling huts, tobacco curing sheds and other structures. The use of fuel-efficient stoves has added value to the project. The impacts are viewed in terms of energy and labour saving. Equally important is the positive impact on the health of household members who are normally at high risk from respiratory diseases caused by inhaling smoke, a risk associated with conventional systems of cooking. Impacts on the environment are high. The trees grown are contributing towards limiting the global impacts due to climate change. The number of trees grown although localized would satisfy requirements to qualify for carbon trading. In addition, impacts are visible in terms of reduction on run-off and soil erosion and also in terms of improvement in soil fertility. CONCLUSIONS As earlier stated, the overall approach being promoted by TLC has proved to be one of the best among the partners to the extent that the Department of Forestry has recognized TLC as a model organization in the implementation of community-based forestry initiatives. During the 27/8 season, TLC facilitated the planting of 19 million trees across its projects, with COBAF contributing over 7 million or 37% of the total planted under TLC. Tree planting under TLC projects represents 25% of the national 6 million trees planted during the 27/8 season. TLC s model, when extended to similar projects, will have a major impact on bringing back the lost forests. The impacts on the livelihoods of the rural communities would be great and farreaching on the local environments currently under threat from global warming. Communities may also benefit by accessing funds under initiatives such as carbon trading to limit the global impacts of climate change through the Carbon Development Mechanism (CDM) and other bilateral arrangements. Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 11

14 Table 2: July 27 - June 28 Field Results by Program 7/8 RESULTS BY FUNDING SOURCE % Target PMI TEAM IMPERIAL TOTAL Achieved Participation Districts (#) % Villages (#) 2,1 1, ,162 18% Participating households (#) 35, 21,815 4,167 1,556 27,538 79% Participating Beneficiaries (#) 175, 19,75 2,835 7,78 137,69 79% % Female participation 43% 43% 56% 4% 47% 18% Forestry Program Nurseries (#) 2,155 1, ,18 98% Bamboo Seedlings (#) 195, 59,55 32, 91,55 47% Tree seedlings (#) 7,, 6,32,841 1,453,827 9, 8,656, % Tree Outplanting Trees Planted (# all types) 7,, 5,72,876 1,21, ,917 7,764,96 111% Homesteads/Farms/Boundaries (# trees) 2,472,834 76, ,475 3,63,158 Communal Lands (# trees) 2,443,77 236, ,18 3,57,65 Live Fencing (# trees) 98,916 2,892 11,88 Roadside Planting (# trees) 17, ,922 21, ,556 Stream Banks and Soil Fertility (# trees ) 133,155 4,623 16,574 19,352 Total Area under Planted Trees (ha) 1,4 1, , % Bamboo Planting (#) 165,75 42,474 28, 7,474 43% Fruit Trees (#) 5, % Live Barns (# ) Sustainable Management of Natural Trees and Woodlands Natural Woodlands Under Management (ha) % Improved stoves Villages (#) % Households (#) 6, 3, ,983 83% Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 12

15 SUCCESS STORIES Success Story 1 Mapelera hill is a hill in the Blantyre District in Southern Malawi. Prior to 26, uncontrolled cutting of natural vegetation and trees from the surrounding communities resulted in bare, unprotected hill slopes prone to high degrees of erosion from wind and rain. Together with the COBAF project, the communities surrounding Mapelera hill collaborated with each other to promote natural tree regeneration and to replant the hill slopes with trees. After the communities had formed a committee and a set of by-laws to govern the reforestation of the hill, COBAF provided training and materials for the proposed planting. 1,5 trees were planted on the hill slopes in the first year and 4, were planted during the last planting season. Now with trees in their second year of growth, management of the new woodlands is underway. With training from Total Landcare, villagers have put in place management procedures to maintain the woodlot and the naturally regenerated trees. Local villagers have already started seeing the benefits from the program. The hill looks more beautiful and has attracted the attention of neighbouring communities. In the future, the committee hopes to use the area to hang bee hives for honey production as a source of revenue. Mapelera hill in the background with a natural regenerating forest Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 13

16 Success Story 2 Kalimbila village women s group in Dowa District were trained on fuel saving mud stoves under the COBAF project. Each individual who built a stove in their household noticed a marked decrease in the amount of wood and time required for cooking. They were so pleased with the results that they now travel to neighbouring villages and communities to volunteer training and helping fellow women to construct and use stoves. They have currently extended their services to 5 villages in the area and have helped with the construction of 125 stoves in 125 households. And they do it all for free. They understand the difference this stove will make to the lives of their neighbours as they have experienced it first-hand themselves. Community-based Forestry Project: July 7-June 8 Annual Report 14