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drip irrigation
UNDP/GEF supported CBA Community Based Adaptation Project Pilot Sites: Onamulunga School Garden Project
Submitted by andrea on Mon, 2011-09-26 07:09
Project:
Summary:
The Community-Based Adaptation Programme (CBA) is a five-year United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global initiative funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). UNDP works with a number of partners including the United Nations Volunteers and the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). Initial CBA investments have been made in 20 communities in the northern parts of Namibia (i.e. Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kavango Regions). Climate models suggest that these areas are particularly vulnerable and face significant climate change risks, both at present and in future. To facilitate uptake of CBA strategies the Onamulunga Combined School project is focused on integrating adaptation to climate change into school curriculum. The pilot programme at Onamulunga Combined School in the Oshikoto region involves training grade 9 and 10students in adaptation farming methods such as conservation tilling, water harvesting, and micro-drip irrigation and planting drought resistant crops. These methods are subsequently taken up by the students’ native communities. This project directly contributes towards Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2 and 7 and, through a special focus on the inclusion of young women and girls, to MDG 3.The project also indirectly contributes to the realization of other MDGs.
Adaptation Experience:
There are various Community Based Adaptation projects in Namibia. The particular project discussed here is implemented by an NGO called Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES) that applies CBA measures through self-help groups. At the Onamulunga Combined School in the Oshikoto region, grade 9 and 10 students receive practical lessons in how to implement improved farming methods for a future affected by climate change.
Results and Learning:
According to a recent field visit by an independent assessor, the Onamulunga Garden project has achieved many of the intended results. Various sites at the school have been prepared for crop agriculture using the latest conservation tilling methods for dry land crops and micro-drip irrigation for vegetables. The project coordinator is Agriculture and Life Science teacher, Johannes Nelongo, who has provided inspirational leadership for 87 grade 9 and 10 students to put the theory they learn in the classroom in practice in the field, growing maize, sunflowers, cow peas, spinach, carrots, onions and other vegetables.They apply conservation furrowing and ripping, water saving techniques, mulching, application of organic and chemical fertilising, crop rotation and alternative growing methods. As such, the project provides learners with practical adaptation techniques. “Practical exercises make it easier for learners to interpret theoretical information. It thus gives them wisdom and insight and teaches them how to apply these methods at home,” says Nelongo.[Refer to the attached document for further details.]
Sustainability:
The project has built adaptive capacity for almost ninety learners, with the intention that they take these skills forward and apply them in the decades to come. Already a multiplier effect is noticeable in the children and teachers’ home communities. The project focuses on establishing a strong foundation for the application of adaptation mechanisms in farming practices rather than creating dependency through aid. “Because the programme demonstrates tangible benefits for the communities involved, it is sustainable,” says Marie Johansson from CES. “It will continue even if donor support stops tomorrow. It is important to start with educating kids. Young people, especially girls, pick the skills up quickly. From there on it is easier to integrate the community. Later on, many kids will migrate to urban areas and unfortunately fall in the trap of unemployment. But with the skills they learn here, there is an alternative way to make a living off the two hectares or so near their homestead. In this way even small farmers can become commercial farmers.”
Replication:
The project has been so successful that it has grabbed the attention of other schools. Four nearby schools are interested and have been invited to participate. As such, Onamulunga can become a centre of learning for the community. This is compounded by the multiplier effect already mentioned, with children introducing the new methods to their parents and villagers coming to the school to see the improved cropping system with their own eyes. “As a school we need to involve communities and share the skills and knowledge that we have,” says Onamulunga principal Immanuel Namupolo. “Now the community helps us to look after the project when the school is closed. We also give parents our surplus maize, so they can sell it. In doing so, the project reaches out to parents. We give them a role to play, so that they are involved in the process of adaptation.”The experiment teaches children to adapt to a situation where fertile land and water are becoming increasingly scarce resources. But the initiative also has a wider effect within the surrounding communities, with children applying their newly acquired skills in the household farm setting. Enthused by the Onamulunga success story, parents and teachers have also started their own gardens. “The proceeds from the garden save people a lot of money. Sometimes you don’t even have to go to the market for a whole month,” one teacher remarks.
Image(s):
Funding Source:
Onamulunga School Garden Project
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Project details
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Program:
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
Onamulunga Combined School; Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES). Other stakeholders include: the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Namibia Agronomic Board, GEF through its Strategic Priority on Adaptation (SPA) programme, UNDP; Small Grants Programme and all its delivery partners.Summary:
The Community-Based Adaptation Programme (CBA) is a five-year United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global initiative funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). UNDP works with a number of partners including the United Nations Volunteers and the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). Initial CBA investments have been made in 20 communities in the northern parts of Namibia (i.e. Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Kavango Regions). Climate models suggest that these areas are particularly vulnerable and face significant climate change risks, both at present and in future.
Project Components:
There are various Community Based Adaptation projects in Namibia. The particular project discussed here is implemented by an NGO called Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES) that applies CBA measures through self-help groups. At the Onamulunga Combined School in the Oshikoto region, grade 9 and 10 students receive practical lessons in how to implement improved farming methods for a future affected by climate change. Through equipping the students with relevant agricultural adaptation skills, the pilot programme is designed to sow the seeds for uptake and wider spread of adaptation measures throughout the community.
Expected Outputs:
- Outcome 1: Enhanced adaptive capacity allows communities to reduce their vulnerability to adverse impacts of future climate hazards.
- Outcome 2: National policies and programmes promote replication of best practices derived from CBA projects.
- Outcome 3: Cooperation among member countries promotes innovation in adaptation to climate change including variability.
Contacts:
SGP-CBA: Contact Nickey //Gaseb
E-mail: NickeyG@unops.orgCES: Contact Marie Johansson
E-mail: info@ces.org.naOnamulunga Combined School: Mr. Nelongo: +264 81 69 66700
AAP-NAM: Contact Ernst Mbangula
Email: embangula@met.na
Project Status:
Under ImplementationPrimary Beneficiaries:
Major stakeholders are: the Onamulunga Combined School; Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES). Primary beneficiaries are the grade 9 and 10 students, their families and the communities living within the pilot areas, as well as other schools in the wider area.
Adaptation of farmers’ agricultural practices in response to intensified climate aridization in Akmola Oblast
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Project details
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Program:
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
UNDP, “Akbota” Public Fund (PF)Summary:
Background
Contacts:
CBA Project Management Unit:
Charles Nyandiga at charles.nyandiga@undp.org
Anna Lisa Jose at annalisa.jose@undpaffiliates.org
220 East 42nd St, 21st Floor
NY, NY 10017
646-781-4402SGP National Coordinator, Kazakhstan
Katerina Yushenko at Katerina.Yushenko@undp.org
Project Status:
Satisfactorily CompletedPrimary Beneficiaries:
Arnasay village residents
Climate Change Adaptation in Africa (CCAA) - Adaptation Stories
Submitted by ayesha on Sat, 2011-04-02 09:38Year:
Summary:
This publication describes real-life testimonies of communities adapting to climate change and formulates strategies to reduce their social, economic and cultural vulnerability.
Akbota Project: Adaptation of farming practices to increasing temperatures and aridity in Akmola Oblast
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Project details
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Program:
Implementing Agency and Partnering Organizations:
UNDP, Akbota Public Organization (local CBO)Summary:
The project will focus on the village of Arnasai, 50 km southeast of Astana (Kazakhstan’s capital), on the banks of the Ishim River. The village, with a population of 1100, is located near Astana’s main reservoir, and most of the local people live from subsistence agriculture and summer-season irrigated horticulture. Climate is extremely continental and dry, with long winters and hot summers. Only precipitation that falls in the winter is considered agriculturally useful as the melting snow is able to seep into the soil and contribute to the soil moisture.
Project Components:
Reduction of land degradation through capacity-building for improved agricultural techniques, while developing adaptive measures to enable farming to use less water. Methods to be piloted include more efficient horticultural irrigation, as well as winter-grain farming, using the spring snowmelt moisture rather than summer irrigation. The Project will also develop a short film and manual aimed at farmers and extension services nationally.
Expected Outputs:
Outputs include:
- 1.) Baseline land degradation problems addressed through introduction of improved agronomic technologies;
- 2.) Community Awareness raised on efficient watering methods;
- 3.) Capacity of communities and national stakeholders to implement/support adaptation measures raised;
- 4.)Alternative irrigation systems and new farming technologies for cereal crops piloted to offset lowered water availability driven by climate change.
Contacts:
CBA Project Management Unit:
- Charles Nyandiga at charles.nyandiga@undp.org
- Anna Lisa Jose at annalisa.jose@undpaffiliates.org
- 220 East 42nd St, 21st Floor
- NY, NY 10017
- 646-781-4402
- Ms. Katerina Yushenko
- National Coordinator UNDP Small Grants Programme
- 7-3272 582646 / 582643
- katerina.yushenko@undp.org
Project Status:
ImplementationPrimary Beneficiaries:
Akbota Public Foundation for the Village of Arsenai
