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Securing learning plots for the production of tree crops

GEF-IUCN-MRU Mano River Ecosystem Conservation and IWRM Project

By IW:LEARN

December 23^rd, 2020

Also published in: http://mru.int/guinea-gef-mano-project-securing-the-learning-plots-for-the-production-of-tree-crops

Four countries, namely Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, benefit from the Mano River Union (MRU) Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resources Management Project funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). This project aims to promote comprehensive approaches to integrated ecosystem management and to design participatory and community strategies that will lead to conservation and sustainable use of soil, water and biota in river basins and on their watersheds. For the integrated management of ecosystems, the project intends to ensure the restoration of the productivity of tree-based systems and to promote the use of best practices.

In Guinea, the Project is executed by the Center Forestier de N’zérékoré as the National Executing Agency (NEA) and the intervention site for integrated ecosystem management is located on the outskirts of the protected areas of Ziama, Nimba and Diecké, hence the project identified and set up learning plots to support and strengthen the various tree components in existing farming systems.

Identifying farmers and learning plots

The objective of this mission was to assess and revitalize the village planning committees initially set up by the Forest Center in 1995 around the Ziama reserve and the classified forest of Diecké.

The Mano River Ecosystem Conservation and IWRM Project commenced by identifying farmers using a participatory and inclusive process to guarantee its legality and legitimacy.

New local advisory committees were then installed in Ziama on 28-29 May 2018; in Nimba on 30-31 May 2018 and in Diecké on 1-2 June 2018. The membership in the new committees reflect an increased representation of women, comprising 45.73% of the composition, as compared to 25% in the 1995 committees in the Ziama reserve and classified forest of Diecké.

Another mission was organized on 22-26 January 2020 to inform and raise awareness among local communities. This mission covered eight districts, including four in Ziama (Sedimaï, Kpoda, Yézou and Noborotono), two in Diecké (Dourapa and Gbeleye), and two in Nimba (Gbaah and Gbènèmou), which were selected to benefit school fields.

The national coordination unit and the NEA, in collaboration with the consultant, the Agronomic Research Institute of Guinea / Regional Agronomic Research Center of Forest Guinea (IRAG/CRRA-GF), held a meeting on 07 February 2020 to start nursery installation activities and topographical surveys of learning plots in the eight districts. As a result, 513 farmers, including 277 women were trained in nursery installation techniques, monitoring, and the creation of learning or demonstration plots. Farmers were encouraged to replicate the techniques learned in their own fields.

The tree and forest species that each community needs have been listed and ranked in order of importance. Some communities suggested that they be allowed to supervise memberships and ensure that every previously identified peasant is included and that everyone’s living conditions are improved. The list of peasants by village was given to the partner responsible for implementing the activity and the selection of sites followed immediately.

Securing learning plots

The elders and customary chiefs, landowners and custodians of local knowledge of various villages involved have made the areas available for the establishment of learning plots. Discussions with stakeholders resulted in the production of a donation certificate template for the communities. This approach can help avoid conflicts over land use and future claims, especially between landowners and the communities, in particular in the use of income from each learning plot. To date, donation certificates for the eight learning plots have been signed by the administrative and political authorities, customary chiefs and notables. These plots have been geo-referenced and maps will be produced to locate them.

On 16 March to 10 April 2020, the NEA and IRAG/CRRA-GF officially signed donation certificates. The certificate states that: "The products or any other benefits resulting from this field are owned by the entire community, under the management of the local authorities (local advisory committee) legally established and recognized by the community concerned."

Prior to the certificate signing, a campaign was launched to mobilize and engage communities in the eight (08) districts. This included an interactive process explaining the scope of the activities and commitments involved to establish a common understanding among the key stakeholders -- the village communities as well as the administrative and traditional authorities, and strengthen their involvement in managing the national forest ecosystem.

Securing learning plots for the production of tree crops

The participating communities, authorities and beneficiaries expressed their deep gratitude for the activities initiated through the GEF project. The signed donation certificates clearly signify the communities’ commitment to participate in the sustainability of the GEF project in the area of the MRU, especially in the Guinea Forest.

Consultation with the village community to gather their commitment. Photo: NEA Guinea.

View of a plot owned by a village community. Photo: NEA Guinea.

Signature of a certificate by a landowner. Photo: NEA Guinea.

Through this activity, the project hopes to achieve one of its goals, which is to help sustain ecological benefits and improve the livelihoods of communities adjacent to forests, aimed at promoting increased forest cover and its associated benefits both at local and subregional levels.

About the GEF Mano Project

The GEF-funded “Mano River Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resources Management (IWRM)” Project is implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and executed by the Mano River Union (MRU). It targets the conservation and sustainable use of the transboundary water basins and their biodiversity resources within the Mano River Union member states, with coverage in the Upper Guinea forest covering Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire. These resources are of highest importance for the sub-region, seriously affected by socio-political problems with displaced and suffering populations, and demand support under these very difficult contexts. The project seeks to promote holistic approaches to integrated ecosystem management and to design participatory and community–based strategies, which will lead to in-situ conservation and sustainable use of soil, water and biota in the river basins and watersheds.

For more information on the project, please contact the Project Manager, Abdoulaye Doumbia (doumbia1959@gmail.com) or the Communications Specialist, Rabe G. Florent (gnapiflorent@gmail.com), and visit the project website and the project page on iwlearn.net.