1. INTRODUCTION
In this final issue of the
SARD Newsletter published through the G77 SARD Project, three projects are featured as
part of the series of success stories in SARD. Two of the projects led to improvements in
coffee production by hillside farmers in Haiti and the production of organic milk in
Dominican Republic. In the third project, management of endangered natural resources is
combined with agrarian reform for environmental enhancement.
Also presented are outlines of three web sites which contain information relevant to the
sustainability of agricultural and rural development. An update is provided on the status
of preparation and finalization of the case studies to be presented in the final project
document.
Please print
and photocopy this
newsletter and circulate to persons
working with (or interested in)
agricultural and/or rural
development projects. |
SUCCESS STORIES IN AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
2. COFFEE REVITALIZATION PROJECT (PROJE PLANTE KAFE, PPK)
Prior to 1990, many hillside coffee
farmers in Haiti were resigned to low yields and low income from coffee production.
Following implementation of a project supported by the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on
Agriculture (IICA), more than 20,000 persons (25% women) have obtained higher returns from
coffee farms on the hillsides of Haiti. At the center of this change were improved
technologies in coffee production and improved facilities for coffee processing. In
addition, there were improvements in marketing, organisation of farmer’s groups and
access to credit. These improvements resulted in increased coffee production, enhanced
returns from marketing and reduced environmental damage in and around hillside communities
in Haiti.
Haiti’s hillside coffee farmers were directly involved in decision making during the
early stages of the project and their organisational base was strengthened through the
establishment of hundreds of farmers’ associations. These efforts stemmed from a
recognition that poorly organised farmers’ associations are prey to political and
economic manipulations as sound business principles are sacrificed at the altar of
self-interest. Institutional strengthening of community groups yielded a rich harvest as
key elected officials assumed autonomous roles in their associations and the coffee
producers federation, with respect to operations, business management and planning for
expansion and improvement. Through direct involvement, farmers received higher prices, for
their coffee and were no longer subject to the exploitative marketing relationship of
Haiti’s traditional coffee export houses.
The experience in Haiti has demonstrated the importance of two key components of
productive projects- the strengthening of farmers’ associations and the establishment
of direct market linkages. Through the creation and strengthening of these mechanisms, the
benefits of higher prices for improved quality of coffee were channeled directly to
farmers. Further, the introduction of new and improved coffee varieties and techniques for
increasing production was carefully designed to build upon traditional multi-cropping
farming systems. New techniques, therefore, should fit established farming systems, not
vice versa.
3. INVESTMENT FUND FOR NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
The Investment Fund for Natural Resources
Management (FIRENA) in Dominican Republic promotes community participation, sustainable
management of endangered natural resources and agrarian reform. Voluntary agrarian reform
began in 1989 under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID).
As part of this innovative project, large land owners voluntarily handed over sections of
their land to peasant farmers who, in turn, received infrastructure for irrigation and
technical assistance for the management of their lands from the San José de Ocoa
Development Association. Work for many of the sub-projects was done through management
committees formed by the producers themselves.
In several rural communities of San José de Ocoa, approximately 35,000 persons (including
15,000 women and 5,000 youths) benefited from the changed land ownership. This led to
improved management and conservation of soil and water resources in hillside areas.
Through the provision of credit, improvements in health care and easier access to water,
these rural communities led the way in management and conservation of their natural
resources, especially endangered resources.
4. ORGANIC MILK FROM COWS FED ORGANIC FORAGE
In 1995, Costa Rican farmer, Anselmo Rodriguez, sought to eliminate the use of
petroleum-derived fertilisers in his crop production system and to reduce milk production
costs by 20%. The farmer and his family used crop residues and livestock excrement to
produce organic manure which was applied to forage. Through this project, not only did the
farmer and his family benefit, but consumers were supplied with wholesome, high-quality
milk, produced without the use of petroleum based agro-chemicals. In addition, the use of
organic manure, produced on the farm, eliminated the need for inorganic fertilisers. The
milk production system is based on the production of compost (organic fertiliser) using
Californian worms, which degrade the waste produced by the cows to a higher quality
fertiliser. Residual waters produced from the washing of the milking parlour are also used
as organic fertilisers.
In general, milk production systems require high levels of nitrogenous fertilisers, which
are highly degradable and poorly utilised by plants. The unused nitrogen is then diluted
by irrigation water and eventually flows into rivers which become polluted. Use of organic
manure in forage production, therefore, not only eliminates the use of inorganic
fertiliser and improves soil fertility but has the added advantage of protecting waterways
from accumulating high levels of nitrogen which can lead to eutrophication.
Farmer Rodriquez’s use of farm residues for forage production has implications not
only for ensuring profitability of his farming enterprise, but also for its
sustainability, through the minimising of waste and the reduced pollution of waterways.
For
additional information, contact:
|
| Coordinator, G77 SARD Project |
| Tel: |
592-2-68835/68347 |
| Fax: |
592-2-58358 |
| E-mail: |
sard@solutions2000.net |
SARD
|
For Sustainability, Agricultural & Rural Development Projects require:
- Mutual Respect & Trust.
- Financial & Technical support.
- Effective Marketing Strategies.
- Access to Reliable Information
- Effective Coordination
- Effective Communication
- Persistence and Flexibility
- Capacity Building (beneficiaries)
- Participatory Decision-making
|
5. PREPARATION OF CASE STUDIES
As indicated in the October 1999 issue of
the SARD Newsletter, the five themes under which case studies will be prepared for the
final document of this SARD Project are:
| 1. |
Export-oriented activities. |
| 2. |
Women. |
| 3. |
Natural Resources
Management. |
| 4. |
Youths in Development |
| 5. |
Services. |
The October issue of this newsletter
highlighted projects on women and export-oriented activities. In this final issue, the
projects for the remaining three themes are presented.
Natural Resources Management projects to be used for the case study in
the final document are:
| (1) |
Marine Management
in Soufriere, St Lucia.
|
| (2) |
Treatment of
Industrial Waste and Production of Livestock Feed in Costa Rica.
|
| (3) |
Agroforestry-forestry
and micro-enterprise in Dominican Republic.
|
The theme youths in development is highlighted by two projects which are
based in the Dominican Republic, namely:
| (1) |
Youth Producers of
Salcedo
|
| (2) |
Income and
Employment Generation for Youths of the Southern Region.
|
Natural Resources Management projects
to be used for the case study in the final document are:
| (1) |
Revolving Credit
Fund for Rural Dwellers in Haiti.
|
| (2) |
Production of
Certified Seeds for Guyana’s Rice Industry.
|
Each case study shall contain background
information, organisational structure and capacity building associated with the respective
project. An analysis will also be made of each case study, in the context of criteria for
project sustainability.
6. SARD PROJECT WEB SITE -Link Page Sites
Visitors to the SARD Project web
site can continue to peruse
the profiles of many of the 65 projects which were sent by respondents in 17 countries in
the Caribbean and Latin America. In addition, using the questionnaire link on the Home
Page, questionnaires (Formats A and B) can be completed and submitted to the SARD Project,
of sustainable/innovative projects.
The G77 SARD Project concludes with 74 related sites which can be accessed from the link
page. Although the SARD Project web site will no longer be maintained through the G77 SARD
Project, the Agricultural Project Cycle Unit of Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture will
provide continued updates. Until February 29, 2000, contact can be made with the SARD
Project Coordinator, via e-mail at sard@solutions2000.net
or sard@internetworks.org. Thereafter,
information on SARD can be obtained from Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture web site (www.agrinetguyana.org.gy) or by e-mail at guyagri@hotmail.com.
 |
http://agprogram.tamu.edu/agropolis/
AGropolis is the web site of the Texas A & M University. The site contains information
on how to grow gardens and crops; take care of pets and livestock; become more
environmentally responsible; prepare nutritious meals safely; and other information which
can help a family cope with daily challenges of life. In addition, AGropolis contains
academic information for potential students of agriculture, natural resources or life
sciences.
|
|
http://ianrwww.unl.edu/ianr/csas/aboutctr.htm
Web site of the Center for Sustainable Agricultural Systems within the Institute of
Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The overall
goal of the Center is to enhance the capability of the UNL to design and evaluate
sustainable production systems which will improve productivity and resource use
efficiency, reduce environmental degradation, and promote short- and long-term economic
viability. This site, which contains information on procedures for evaluating alternative
farming systems and technology exchange, will be useful to persons desirous of adopting
sustainable practices in their community and to students and teachers of agriculture and
natural resources management. |
|
www.iaf.gov
Web site of the Inter-American Foundation (IAF). Among the various roles of the IAF are to
work primarily in cooperation with private, regional, and international organizations, to
support self-help efforts designed to enlarge the opportunities for individual development
and to stimulate and assist effective and ever wider participation of the people in the
development process. IAF provides grants directly to local organizations and also enters
into partnerships with public- and private-sector entities for increased support and
mobilization of local, national, and international resources for grassroots development.
|
7. APPRECIATION!!!!
Thank you for your support and
participation in this
SARD Network during the past 14 months.
Until February 29, 2000, the SARD Project can be contacted via e-mail at sard@networksgy.com and sard@solutions2000.net.
Thereafter, from Guyana’s Ministry of Agriculture (guyagri@hotmail.com/).
|
