Natural resource integrity: A resilient community on the degraded slopes of Mount Elgon takes on mending its broken landscape

The once beautiful foothills of Mount Elgon, in eastern Uganda are today seriously degraded, with excessive water run-offs and landslides becoming regular occurrences. Restoring the health and productive potential of the agroecosystem had become a dire need of those, mostly women, who stayed to farm it. By challenging the status quo and doing things differently, the Kapchorwa District Landcare Chapter (KADLACC) has been helping this farming community over the past fifteen years to manage its natural resources more sustainably, as well as more profitably. By building on the innovation skills of the community, by helping it address local challenges and by empowering the women of the community to manage their natural resources in sustainable ways, the platform has helped to restore much of what has been lost in recent decades. Before the platform was established, crops, properties, infrastructure and even lives were regularly destroyed. Trees and other vegetation were removed indiscriminately to make room for farms and settlements. Fragile soils were exposed to the agents of erosion. Heavily sloped land was tilled. Women, although providing up to 90% of the agricultural labour force, had little decision-making power. Household incomes and food security declined steeply, along with soil fertility and women’s engagement. With the establishment of KADLACC, twin journeys towards land restoration and women’s empowerment began. Community members were quick to support the entire process. Awareness of women’s rights was raised through consultative processes from village to sub-county levels, engaging individual farmers, farmer groups, local government officials and external actors. Community members, through farmer learning cycles, were linked to trained facilitators. This helped farmers and farmer groups consolidate their grassroots understanding of the challenges they faced and the options they could employ to address them. Livelihood goals were linked to conservation goals. Local-level policy reforms helped define and encourage women’s ownership and control over land. Over these 15 years, community by-laws supporting watershed management, land restoration and agroforestry practices have been developed and implemented. Women have been given greater priority in natural resource management decision-making. Some 300 women displaced from their land have been granted access to collective land for organic and horticultural farming. And by improving this community’s access to agricultural and information services, KADLACC has helped this farm community significantly improve its productivity, while restoring the integrity of its natural resource base

Indicators of soil quality: a South-South development of a methdological guide for linking local and technical knowledge

The increasing attention paid to local soil knowledge results from a greater recognition that farmer knowledge can offer many insights into the sustainable management of tropical soils and that the integration of local and technical knowledge systems helps extension workers and scientists work more closely with farmers. A participatory approach and a methodological guide were developed to identify and classify local indicators of soil quality and relate them to technical soil parameters, and thus develop a common language between farmers, extension workers and scientists. This methodological guide was initially developed and used in Latin America and the Caribbean-LAC (Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Dominican Republic), and was later improved during adaptation and use in eastern African (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia) through a South–South exchange of expertise and experiences. The aim of the methodological guide is to constitute an initial step in the empowerment of local communities to develop a local soil quality monitoring and decision-making system for better management of soil resources. This approach uses consensus building to develop practical solutions to soil management constraints identified, as well as to monitor the impact of management strategies implemented to address these constraints. The particular focus on local and technical indicators of agroecosystem change is useful for providing farmers with early warnings about unobservable changes in soil properties before they lead to more serious and visible forms of soil degradation. The methodological approach presented here constitutes one tool to incorporate local demands and perceptions of soil management constraints as an essential input to relevant research for development activities. The participatory process followed was effective in facilitating farmer consensus; for example, about which soil related constraints were most important and what potential soil management options could be used. Development of local capacities for consensus building constitute a critical step prior to collective action by farming communities resulting in the adoption of integrated soil fertility management strategies at the farm and landscape scale

Decision support tools for site-specific fertilizer recommendations and agricultural planning in selected countries in sub-Sahara Africa

Peer Revie

RPE PLaW

The paper documents experiences of Lushoto farmers' innovations on introduced technologies. It discusses methodology, farmer innovations so far, the benefits that farmers think they are gaining, mechanisms for sharing innovations, and the issues that arise and possible impact on the scaling out process from farm level to watershed level. Farmers seemed to innovate on introduced technologies to adapt and fit them into their farming systems, financial status, age and social circumstances, and whether they need collective action to implement innovations. However, the challenge remains: will the modified technologies spill over to more farmers

Scaling Sustainable Land Managment Innovations: The African Highland Initiative Devolution Model

Benefits accruing from using sustainable land management (SLM) innovations including technologies, approaches and methods specifically in eastern Africa highlands do not match the scale of their adoption among rural poor communities inhabiting critical ecosystems of global importance. The African Highlands Initiative (AHI), an ecological programme building on more than a decade legacy as an innovator towards development of innovative methods and approaches, unveils an AHI devolution model anchored in policy reforms involving transfer of functions to more localised institutions that empowers stakeholders towards scaling SLM innovations. This paper presents the model whose focus is on multi-stakeholder engagements embedded in a structured process comprising of drivers, facilitators, devolution governance, outcomes and feedback systems. The model capitalises on Innovation Platforms (IPs) to access a large consortium of actors, each playing important roles at multi-scales, and further take advantage of the benefits of decentralisations to leverage support and buy-in necessary for operationalising an effective scaling strategy. Towards operationalising the model, SLM scaling strategy developed and rolled out in Ethiopia and Uganda is described, unpacking its five components: (i) understanding local contexts; (ii) facilitating learning alliances; (iii) monitoring performance; (iv) implementing tangible action including creating enabling environment; and (v) continuous capacity building. Achievements attributed to the model specific to Ethiopia and Uganda include; a systematic strategy for 10 devolution structures (IPs) at multi-scales mainstreamed under decentralised local government authorities; enabling policy environment beyond capacity building; institutional strengthening and human resource development and increased allocation of resources to SLM by local government. Tangible results in Ethiopia include: 1.24 ha fenced for regeneration, seed bulking on 8 community nurseries; distribution of 62, 463 seedlings; 234 km of soil conservation structures; 2 bylaws with 608 households benefiting from Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) technologies. In Uganda results include distribution of 71,903 tree seedlings, nurturing 219 seedlings in 6 community nurseries, building capacity of 153 IP members in seed collection, two bylaws and ordinance; as well as 8,435 ha regenerated. Policy recommendations in support of the AHI devolution model include investment in creating enabling environment, including incentive packages; mainstreaming IPs in local government structures, ; and knowledge management; capacity building; advocacy and awareness building and a political will.Les bénéfices issus de l’utilisation des innovations de la gestion durables des terres (SLM) incluant les technologies, approches et méthodes spécialement dans les hautes terres de l’Afrique de l’Est, ne correspondent pas au niveau d’adoption parmi les communautés rurales pauvres habitant les écosystèmes critiques d’importance mondiale. L’initiative dénommée “African Highlands Initiative (AHI)”, un programme écologique se basant sur plus d’un leg d’une décennie comme un innovateur de développement de méthodes d’innovation et approches, dévoile un modèle de délégation d’AHI, ancré sur les réformes politiques impliquant le transfert des fonctions aux institutions plus localisées renforçant les partenaires dans l’application des innovations de SLM. Cet article présente le modèle focalisé sur des engagements multi-partenaires implantés dans un processus structuré comprenant les chaffeurs, facilitateurs, délégation de la gouvernance, les résultats et les systèmes de restitution. Le modèle s’appuie sur les plateformes d’innovation (IPs) pour accéder à un large consortium des acteurs, chacun jouant des rôles importants à des niveaux multiples, et prenant avantage des bénéfices de décentralisation pour gagner du soutien et du bay-in nécessaires afin d’opérationnaliser une stratégie efficace d’application. Vers une opérationnalisation du modèle, la stratégie d’application de SLM développée et largement appliquée en Ethiopie et Ouganda est décrite, révélant ses cing composants: (i) compréhension des contextes locaux; (ii) facilitation des alliances d’apprentissage; (iii) performance de suivi; (iv) exécution des actions tangibles incluant la création d’un environnement propice; and (v) renforcement continu de capacité. Des réalisations attribuées au modèle spécifique pour l’Ethiopie et l’Ouganda incluent une stratégie systématique pour la délégation des structures (IPs) à des niveaux multiples intégrées dans un gouvernement d’autoritv locale; permettant une politique d’environnement au-delà du renforcement de la capacité; renforcement institutionnel et le développement et développement des resources humaines et l’augmentation d’allocation des resources au SLM par le gouvernement local. Des résultats tangibles en Ethiopie incluent: 1.24 ha clôturés pour régénération, collectin des sémences sur 8 pépinières communautaires; distribution de 62, 463 plants; 234 km de structures de conservation du sol; 2 lois avec 608 ménages bénéficiant des technologies d’ intégration de la gestion des ressources naturelle. En Ouganda, les résultats incluent la distribution de 71,903 plants d’arbres, fournissant 219 plants dans 6 communautés, renforcement de la capacité de 153 IP membres dans la collection des semences, deux lois et ordonance aussi bien 8,435 ha régénérés. Les recommendations des politiques pour l’appui du modèle d’AHI de délégation incluent l’investissement dans la création d’environnement propice, incluant des paquets de motivation, l’intégration des IPs dans les structures des gouvernements locaux et la gestion des connaissances, renforcement des capacités; la promotion et la sensibilisation ainsi que la volonté politique

Integrated natural resource management in the Highlands of Eastern Africa: From concept to practice

This book documents a decade of research, methodological innovation, and lessons learned in an eco-regional research-for-development program operating in the eastern African highlands, the African Highlands Initiative (AHI). It does this through reflections of the protagonists themselves—AHI site teams and partners applying action research to development innovation as a means to enhance the impact of their research. This book summarizes the experiences of farmers, research and development workers, policy and decision-makers who have interacted within an innovation system with the common goal of implementing an integrated approach to natural resource management (NRM) in the humid highlands. This book demonstrates the crucial importance of “approach” in shaping the outcomes of research and development, and distils lessons learned on what works, where and why. It is enriched with examples and case studies from fiv e benchmark sites in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, whose variability provides the reader with an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of integrated NRM in agro-ecosystems that play an important role in the rural economy of the region. It is shown that the struggle to achieve sustainable agricultural development in challenging environments is a complex one, and can only be effectively achieved through combined efforts and commitment of individuals and institutions with complementary roles

Scaling sustainable land management innovations : the African highland Initiative Devolution Model

Includes abstract in FrenchKey challenges encountered while operationalizing the African Highlands Initiative (AHI) devolution model are linked to coordination management, with issues arising out of collaboration processes. Capacity at local government level is weak and characterized by high turnover of staff. Joint visioning, planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, are essential. Team building skills, leadership, and systems thinking are required. However, unless roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders are clearly defined, project implementation is dominated by regular disagreements translating into divisiveness and delays

FARMERS\u2019 PREFERENCE FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF ETHIOPIA

Land degradation is a major socio-economic and environmental concern in the Ethiopian highlands where the phenomenon has rendered vast areas of fertile land unproductive. To reverse this trend, the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices is crucial. However, failure by research and development organisations to take into consideration farmers preference for SWC practices have resulted into low adoption of these technologies. This paper presents the findings of a study that evaluated farmers\u2019 preferences of SWC practices, including the economic perspective; as a basis for enhancing adoption of the technologies in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Four soil and water conservation (SWC) practices; (i) soil bunds alone (SB), (ii) soil bunds with vetiver grass (SB+Vg), (iii) soil bunds with Susbania susban (SB+Ss) (iv) and soil bunds with elephant grass (SB+Eg), were evaluated in the Borodo Watershed in the central highlands of Ethiopia. These are the only SWC measures introduced and implemented in Borodo watershed. Data on these SWC practices were collected from farmers using focus group discussion. A multi-criteria analysis (MCA) approach was used to analyses the data. The criteria were weighted using pair-wise ranking and SWC practices were scored with a scale of 1(not good) to 5 (best) based on each criterion. The overall weighted scores were obtained using the Simple Additive Weighting Model. Farmers assigned highest relative weights to criteria related to economic criteria (0.58) than technical (0.29) and stability criteria (0.13). Based on the overall weighted scores obtained using MCA approach, farmers prefer different SWC practices in an order of SB+Eg> SB+Ss> SB+Vg> SB. In general, this paper argues that farmers\u2019 economic concerns should be accounted for or more seriously taken into account by research and development institutions. Therefore, there is a need to develop SWC practices which are technically effective and economically efficient.La degradation des terres est un probl\ue8me socio-\ue9conomique et environnemental majeur dans les hautes terres de l\u2019Ethiopie o\uf9 le phenomena a rendu improductifs des vates \ue9tendues dor\ue9navant fertiles. Pour inverser cette tendance, l\u2019adoption des pratiques relatives \ue0 la conservation de sol et des eaux (SWC) est cruciale. Par ailleurs, l\u2019\ue9chec des organisations de recherche et de d\ue9veloppement dans la prise en compte des pr\ue9f\ue9rences des fermiers en cette mati\ue8re ont r\ue9sult\ue9 en une faible adoption de ces technologies. Cet article pr\ue9sente les r\ue9sultats d\u2019une \ue9tude qui a \ue9valu\ue9 les pr\ue9f\ue9rences des fermiers concernant les pratiques de conservation de sol et des eaux, incluant la perspective \ue9conomique comme fondement d\u2019une adoption r\ue9ussie des technologies dans les hautes terres de l\u2019Ethiopie centrale. Quatre pratiques de conservation de sol et des eaux; (i) sol cultiv\ue9 en bandes seulement (SB), (ii) sol en bandes avec herbes en vetiver (SB+Vg), (iii) sol en bandes avec Susbania susban (SB+Ss) et sol en bandes avec Penisetum purpureum (SB+Eg) \ue9taient \ue9valu\ue9s dans le basin versant de Borodo dans les hautes terres du Centre de l\u2019Ethiopie.Celles-ci sont des pratiques de SWC introduites et ex\ue9cut\ue9es dans le basin versant de Borodo. Les donn\ue9es sur les pr\ue9f\ue9rences de fermiers eu \ue9gard \ue0 ces pratiques de SWC \ue9taient collect\ue9es chez les fermiers par l\u2019approche du Groupe focal de discussion. Une analyse par approche multi-crit\ue8res (MCA) \ue9tait utilis\ue9e pour analyser les donn\ue9es. Les crit\ue8res \ue9taient pond\ue9r\ue9s utilisant le test de pair-wise et les pratiques de SWC \ue9taient c\uf4t\ue9es avec une \ue9chelle de 1 (pas bon) \ue0 5 (meilleur) sur base de chaque crit\ue8re. Les totaux mesur\ue9s de toutes les c\uf4tes \ue9taient obtenus utilisant le Mod\ue8le Simple de pond\ue9ration additive. Les fermiers ont assign\ue9 les poids relatifs \ue9lev\ue9s aux crit\ue8res en relation avec les crit\ue8res \ue9conomiques (0.58) que techniques (0.29) et les crit\ue8res de stabilit\ue9 (0.13). Bas\ue9 sur les totaux des scores pond\ue9r\ue9s obtenus par l\u2019approche MCA, les fermiers pr\ue9f\ue8rent les pratiques SWC dans l\u2019ordre de SB+Eg> SB+Ss> SB+Vg> SB. En general, cet article montre que les problems \ue9conomiques des fermiers devront \ueatre consid\ue9r\ue9s par des institutions de recherche et de d\ue9veloppement. Ainsi, le d\ue9veloppement des pratiques de SWC qui sont techniquement efficaces et \ue9conomiquement profitables