Environmental research

1.0 Problem Zimbabwe Women s Bureau operates in Buhera district which is in ecological region four and five. Buhera is mostly located in low rainfall and infertile areas of about 450-650mm per annum. Most smallholder farmers in the area are vulnerable to the predicted climate change as they depend on rain fed agriculture which, by its very nature and contemporary climate regimes in their locales is too risky. More than 70% of the population living in Buhera depend on subsistence farming. The environmental and social consequences of climate change, especially for the poor, put their livelihoods at risky. Increases in temperature, shifting of cropping patterns all impact agriculture and food security. The serious problems of soil degradation and desertification in Mutiusinazita are likely to be worsened by climate change through accelerated erosion, fertility depletion, salinization and acidification. For the smallholder farmer, it represents a serious risk as they are less prepared to changes, owing to limited asset basis. Issues of food insecurity and poverty are therefore common and are likely to remain so within the current socio-economic conditions. Hence addressing the livelihood and food security issues as well as sustainable land use in Buhera is an immediate priority. 2.0 Project Goal Conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of the natural resource base and basic environmental processes to enhance environmental stability is the overall goal of the project. This is in line with the GEFSGP Country Programme Strategic Priorities and responds to the problems of land degradation, poverty and drought, which are in Mutiusinazita in Buhera. 3.0 Objectives 1. To reduce forest loss and promote efficient stoves and afforestation to mitigate land degradation and effects of climate change in Buhera district, Mutiusinazita ward by December 2011. 2. To increase community responsiveness to present and future drought impacts and associated risk and vulnerability of 200 Mutiusinazita households, their needs and priority to address drought impacts and climate related risks and vulnerability by December 2011. 3. To increase enteprenuership development to 200 households of Mutiusinazita, Buhera district, so as to realise economic empowerment of 200 households by December 2011. 4.0 Project Activities 1.1 Seedling Production and growing of Indigenous Trees 1.2 Beekeeping ,construction of beehives 1.4 Wood saving stoves 1.5 Organic farming 2.1 Climate change trainings 2.2 Beekeeping trainings 2.3 Wood saving stoves training. 2.4 Training on organic farming 2.5 Seedling production training 2.6Training for transformation 2.7 Business management 2.8 Community Income savings and lending methodology 2.9 Look and Learn 3.1 Business Management 3.2 Honey production 3.3 Vegetable production 5.0 Project Results -Increase in trees planted -Increase in plantations conserved -Honey production -reduction on deforestation -Women s burden of fetching firewood lessened -More time for other household chores and Income Generating Activities. -Increase in household food security -Expenditure reduction in acquiring inputs -Change in lifestyles in order to mitigate climate change -Honey production -reduction on deforestation -Women s burden of fetching firewood lessened -More time for other household chores and Income Generating Activities. -Expenditure reduction in acquiring inputs -Increase in trees planted -Increase in plantations conserved -Change in lifestyles in order to be self reliant. -Reduction on dependancy -Increase in income generating activities -Community save and meet basic needs -Replication of innovative ideas from other areas. -Increase in entrepreneurship skills -Increase in Income Generating Activities -Increase in disposable income - Reduction in poverty levels -Increase in disposable income -Food security -Increase in household food security -Expenditure reduction in acquiring inputs

Zimbabwe