Environmental research

1.0 Problem Threat of Climate Change to community livelihoods: Over the past decade successive droughts have devastated the livelihoods of many households, which do not have the means to cushion themselves against global warming. Land degradation: High population densities, overstocking and poor conservation practices have led to the development of numerous gullies especially Samakande, Chikata, Chifambe and Taibu villages. This problem needs to be arrested through afforestation, land rehabilitation and intensive catchment management. 2.0 Project Goal Communities that have been capacitated to adapt to climate change and to manage land resources sustainably, in Ward 2 of Nyanga District 3.0 Objectives a) Strengthening the capacity of communities to use Jatropha C. L for climate change mitigation and for diversifying livelihoods. b) Developing technologies that promote efficient utilization of bio-fuels as household energy resources. c) Strengthening community stewardship over the management of land in the Ward. 4.0 Project activities Establishing infrastructure for oil pressing facility; Purchasing and installing oil press; Training community members to operate the oil press and to make soap; Promoting household use of Jatropha oil as a bio-fuel by manufacturing and promoting lamps and stoves that use Jatropha oil; and Promoting and supporting catchment management, afforestation using Jatropha and other multipurpose trees, and rehabilitation of gullies. 5.0 Project Results Economic empowerment of women who own and run successful soap making units Increased employment opportunities for community members in the ward Markets for soap and other by-products of Jatropha are developed Community members accept and adopt JCL oil as a paraffin substitute for lighting and cooking. Information and knowledge is disseminated throughout the project membership Reduction in soil erosion Catchment committees are set up to spearhead NR management in the ward. Increase in vegetative cover. Change in attitudes towards trees.

Zimbabwe