1. INTRODUCTION
In this issue of the SARD Newsletter we
highlight activities of a one-day seminar on SARD, held recently in Guyana and outline the
five themes under which case studies in the final project document will be grouped. Also
presented is another selection of web sites which have been added to our link page. The
three projects featured in this issue of the newsletter, as part of the series of
success stories in SARD, focus on crop production (organic and hydroponic farming)
and adding value to primary and waste products.
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. DIVERSIFIED SUGARCANE PRODUCTS AND IMPROVEMENT OF CRUZ VERDE
COMMUNITY
Since1993, the Cruz Verde community of
Monte Plata, Dominican Republic has developed production and industrialization
technologies for sugarcane and has promoted an organic agriculture scheme. The project,
which received financial support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, also involved
small producers from other Central American countries with experience in the manufacture
of sugarcane products and by-products.
The conceptualisation of this project and strategies employed for its implementation led
to the generation of a new model for community development. The model uses a participatory
community philosophy and promotes harmony between ecological and economic aspects in the
process of enhancing rural development. Participatory decision making and the
implementation of programmes in environmental and ecological education promoted greater
awareness among residents of their responsibility to protect the environment for future
generations. Training was also provided in the use of organic agriculture systems, and a
trade school was established to transfer skills in carpentry and cabinet-making.
In addition to the long-term benefits and increased capacity among members of the
community, residents were able to market a range of non-traditional sugarcane products,
such as organic sugar, bricks for ovens and stoves, paper, cardboard and juices. The sale
of these items contributed directly to an improved quality of life for 4,000 persons, 50%
of whom were women. This project has demonstrated that sustainability can be
fostered through private initiative and community participation, while simultaneously
attaining ecological harmony and economic benefits.
3. ORGANIC VEGETABLES -PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN COSTA RICA
During the 1990s, there has been a
hightened awareness of the dangers posed to consumers by the application of pesticides to
crops. This awareness created an increase in demand by consumers for organic foods, i.e.,
vegetables and fruits that are grown without the application of petroleum based
pesticides. In the San Rafael and Guadalupe communities in Alajuela, Costa Rica two
farming families (Panigua) were able to access organic farming technology from Japanese
producers and in 1993/1994 begin the production of organic vegetables, such as beetroot,
broccoli, mustard, spinach, lettuce (American), radish and parsley.
Production of organic vegetables is labour intensive and, in general, costs are higher
than for conventional vegetable production. In the short-term organic vegetable production
may not be an effective competitor with produce from high-input agricultural systems, if
suitable markets are not secured. The Panigua families, however, were competitive as they
had secured a ready market for their produce with the company Hortifruiti (which purchased
all of their produce). Their post-harvest losses were minimal since they used any produce
rejected by Hortifuriti to produce organic manure, which in turn was used for the
production of more vegetables. In addition, the farmers produced pesticides from plants
such as garlic, onions, tobacco and hot pepper. Plants with pesticidal properties were
also grown.
Through the adoption of technology which avoided the use of synthetic pesticides, farm
households improved their quality of life, created additional employment within the
community, produced wholesome vegetables (free of pesticide residues), reduced
post-harvest losses and managed the agro-environment in a sustainable way.
Although this project began through the initiative and dedication of only two farming
families, their efforts have resulted in their farms becoming demonstration sites for the
promotion of organic farming technology. In addition, the subsequent adoption of organic
farming systems by other farmers, who had been trained by the Panigua families led to
improved environmental management and the strengthening of rural and community development
organisations in San Raphael. Involvement of the farm families in designing, planning,
monitoring of the project, in the evaluation of organic farming technology and in its
subsequent transfer to other persons in the pubic and private sector were major
contributors to sustainability of organic vegetable production enterprises in Alajeula,
Costa Rica.
4. HYDROPONIC WOMEN FARMERS (PAVAS, COSTA RICA)
Is crop production restricted by factors such as: no access to land, low-fertility
soils, easily degraded soils? Many persons may respond “yes” to this question,
but a group of 35 women farmers in the urban community of Pavas, Costa Rica did not
consider that being landless was a constraint to crop production. Instead, since 1995
these women have been using hydroponics to produce medicinal plants and a range of
vegetables. Hydroponics, which involves use of a non-soil substrate to provide physical
support for the plants, uses water as a medium to deliver the nutrients for plant growth.
The 35-member group of women used a small area, approximately 15m2, to produce vegetables
such as peppers, onions, asparagus and in the process promoted agro-tourism in their
community. When necessary, organic pesticides were used by the women to control pests and
diseases. Their organic produce has been used by their families, and the surplus sold to
neighbours and institutions such as schools and hospitals in Pavas. From sales of excess
produce, the women created a revolving fund for the purchase of materials and nutrients
necessary for their hydroponic crop production system. The women farmers also shared their
knowledge through the training of other members of their community in the production of
vegetables using hydroponics.
Recycled plastic containers were used to hold the non-soil substrate, and through
recycling, the efficiency of water use improved. Less water was used for the cultivation
of vegetables grown in a hydroponic system than then amount required in conventional crop
production systems. In view of the World Bank’s prediction of a scarcity of water for
agriculture, it is exceedingly desirable to have a crop production system with reduced
water requirement.
The above factors together with the management of beneficial insects and reduced use of
chemical pesticides, were all essential elements which contributed to the success of the
project. The various activities have also resulted in improved self-esteem,
higher nutritional level of members of the community, increased household income, and
improved family integration.
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:
- Access to Reliable Information
- Effective Coordination
- Effective Communication
- Persistence and Flexibility
- Capacity Building (beneficiaries)
- Participatory Decision-making
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5. SARD PROJECT WEB SITE -Link Page Sites
Visitors to the SARD Project web
site can now access more than 40
related sites from the link page. Web sites on the link page are grouped according to the
type of information they contain, e.g., agriculture, rural development and sustainable
development. Additional web sites that can be reached from the SARD Project link page
include:
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http://susdev.eurofound.ie Website maintained by the European
Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. The site contains
information on food production, and its impact on health and safety, and forthcoming
conferences. This information is relevant to policy makers of public agencies and of NG0s
who want to promote sustainable development, both from a practical position and at the
level of practical implementation. |
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www.walkerswood.com Web site of Walkerswood
Caribbean Foods, a food processing company with the distinction of being the first
company to export Jerk Seasoning from Jamaica. Walkerswood factory, registered in 1978, is
an employee-owned enterprise which uses fresh produce from rural farms to prepare a range
of traditional cooking ingredients. This site would be of interest to community groups and
small companies seeking to develop niche markets.
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http://www.wye.ac.uk/PGDegrees/MScSARD.html
Part of the Wye of College, University of London web site. The site would be of
interest to persons seeking formal training courses in Sustainable Agriculture.
Information is available on the content of the course, which can be delivered by the
distance learning mode.
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5. SARD SEMINAR FOR DECISION MAKERS
The concept of sustainability in agricultural and
rural development projects is new to many decision makers involved in project formulation
and/or implementation. Under the auspices of the current SARD Project, efforts were made
to redress this in Guyana through the holding of a one-day seminar on Wednesday
September 01, 1999. A total of 27 persons from eight agricultural and rural development
agencies participated in the seminar.
Objectives of the seminar were:
- to identify some of the characteristics of sustainable
projects, through analysis of the process and criteria used for project formulation and/or
selection,
- to create an awareness of the concept of SARD, its
relevance to different types of projects and ways in which the SARD concept can be
incorporated into projects, even as early as project formulation.
Methodology
Identification and analyses were based on two case studies presented by two separate
panels. One case study examined the production and marketing of two agricultural
commodities (cassava and coffee) in Amerinidan communities in Guyana while the second
focused on development of the dairy sector through networking among public and private
sector institutions.
The process of identifying criteria for project sustainability involved participants
listening to the panel presentation of each case study then identifying concepts which in
their view would influence project sustainability.
Results
Issues identified by participants as affecting project sustainability were
based on lessons learned from the case studies presented, and included both strengths
(e.g. participatory community involvement and holistic systems approach) and weaknesses
(e.g., personal conflicts, unreliable entrepreneurs). Participants at the seminar
recognised that project sustainability was influenced not only by positive
actions/successes but also by mistakes made and other attitudes which threaten the
continuation of a project.
An evaluation of the seminar revealed that at least half of the participants found 70 to
90% of information presented at the seminar to contain new ideas and concepts.
Approximately 70% indicated that they will be able to use the material learned in their
work. The majority of participants also indicated a desire to receive additional training
in SARD, and suggested that Project Managers and Project Officers in the field should also
receive training in SARD.
Future
Readers of this newsletter are encouraged to have similar SARD awareness seminars
conducted in their respective countries or for their specific institutions. Please contact
the SARD Project Coordinator at IICA’s Guyana Office for additional information in
this regard.
6. PREPARATION OF CASE STUDIES
Recently, the SARD Management Committee agreed that five themes will be used as
the basis for preparation of case studies for the final project document, instead of
selecting individual projects. The proposed themes are:
(1) Export-oriented activities
(2) Services
(3) Natural Resources Management
(4) Youth
(5) Women
Future issues of this newsletter will update you on the
status of preparing the case studies.
7. PARTICIPATE IN SARD
NETWORK
JOIN OUR E_MAIL
DISCUSSION GROUP!!!!!!!
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