Environmental policy and administrative management

Land degradation is a serious problem in Lesotho, with negative implications for socio-economic development, particularly the rural poor. The consequences of land degradation are serious, ranging from reduced productivity, food insecurity, loss of income and livelihoods, destruction of important ecosystems, loss of biodiversity through changes to habitats, increased vulnerability to natural hazards (e.g. droughts and storms), and human health problems. The Setleketseng area is faced with similar challenges. The problem of land degradation is exacerbated by poor farming practices such as mono-cropping, lack of agricultural inputs, draught power and farm equipment in general. The proposed sustainable land management and capacity building project will enable 209 vulnerable households in eight villages to develop their capacity to reverse land degradation in their community. This project is in line with the land degradation GEF focal area and covers reduction in degradation of land, the build-up of soil fertility, as well as the improvement of per capita food production and related income through the sustainable use of natural resources. The primary objective of the proposed project is to improve land resource management practices leading to sustained livelihoods of 209 households in Setleketseng by 2015. The project will address land degradation in four areas: social development; forest management; range management; and soil, water conservation and wetlands conservation. The training provided will enable farmers to restore degraded land, improve soil fertility, integrate environment and livelihood benefits, and reduce erosion in the future. Farmer linkages with Extension Service will be strengthened. This will lead to higher agricultural and livestock yields and result in better food security and increased household income. The Project will take place over a period of 24 months. This will enable group members to adopt and implement the new skills and practices in land management, as well as link them with local authorities and the Agricultural Resources Centre, ensuring greater sustainability. The project will make sure families can increase food production, whilst at the same time conserve and regenerate natual resources of water, trees and soil fertility for future generations. Long-term community structures, such as Peer Farmer Trainers and group committees, will be established so that support is available beyond the project. Linking communities with ARCs and local authorities will enable members to access on-going technical support from the government beyond SACL support. The holistic approach of this project which includes; group capacity building, social development issues, technical training on sustainable integrated crop and livestock farming, and natural resource management, will greatly increase the chances of long term success. They commit to passing on the knowledge they gain through training by adhering to SACL s Passing on the Gift cornerstone. When group members see and appreciate the benefits of the new approaches to agriculture and livestock they will encourage each other to share these practices with neighbours. This will help new approaches to soil conservation become embedded in the community as the majority of farmers will be adopting and using them. The exchange visits between groups will further reinforce these practices and encourage wider learning and adoption of new techniques. Since each group is encouraged and supported to design its own exit strategy within the context of sustainable livelihoods, the specifics of this will vary from one group to another. However, SACL will assist this process so that groups are able to develop their own plans which are appropriate to their circumstances, capitalise on all training inputs received.

Lesotho