Empower Small Scale Bhutanese Farmers to Increase Crop Yields and Sustainable Livelihoods through Climate Smart Agriculture Approaches.
PROJECT OVERVIEW AND RATIONALE (RED PLUS PHASE IV)- FEBRUARY -MAY 2020
Chhukha and Zhemgang Districts are one of the important working areas of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) since 2012, and are chosen to implement the REDD+ Phase-IV program on need based. Chhukha District in the South West covers an area of 1,882.38 sq. km with elevations ranging from 200 to 3500m above sea level. It has a total arable land of 4.63 percent of the total land. The average landholding is 5.6 acres per household. Majority of the people are dependent on livestock and subsistence agricultural farming. Mandarin, potato and cardamom are the principal cash crops in the District. Despite having sufficient landholdings, farmers are poor and agricultural productivity is low due to lack of agricultural knowledge, rugged terrain, water shortage, climate change, human-wildlife conflicts and limited infrastructure for market access. While Zhemgang District in the Central has a total land area of 2421.74 sq. km. Zhemgang is considered as one of the least developed districts in the country and the livelihood for the people depends on agriculture and livestock farming. In recent years, vegetable and orange cultivation as a source of cash income has been quite encouraging. However, the existing problems include wide-spread poverty and food insecurity due to climate change, shortage of skilled and unskilled manpower, limited arable land, limited accessibility to market and out-migration of young and educated population causing high levels of illiteracy, infant and maternal mortality. In addition, solid waste management due to increase in purchasing power and change in consumption habits of the communities, and poor access to sufficient clean water both for drinking and irrigation are major issues in both the Districts. For the implementation intervention of the proposed project activities, Bayul-kuenza village (new site) in Chhukha District (55 farmers and 25 students), Tali, Kikar, Berti and Takabi villages in Zhemgang District (80 farmers) are selected.
OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
To promote Climate Smart Agriculture and generate awareness on REDD+ and climate change related issues in Chhukha and Zhemgang Districts, Bhutan.
PROJECT SITES
- Bayul-kuenza
- Bongo Gewog
- Chhukha
- Tali and Kikhar under Nangkor Gewog
- Berti and Takabi under Trong Gewog, Zhemgang.
DONOR
PROJECT IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Increase knowledge of the farmers and students on impacts of climate change, REDD+, waste and water management enhanced through awareness and advocacy programs. Livelihood of the farmers enhance through implementation and practice of agro-ecological farming techniques. Capacity and technical skills of the farmers on climate smart agriculture enhance through training. Food production increases due to the practice of climate smart agriculture techniques. Improve the status of the local environment through water and natural resources management programs.
Major interventions/Expected outputs
- To create awareness on Climate Change, REDD+, Waste and Water Management for effective mitigation and adaptation,
- To build capacity of the farmers on climate resilient agro-ecological farming approaches through training (seed production, soil fertility and pest management, organic farming approaches and natural resource management).
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS/OUTPUTS
- Supported associated agriculture items (seeds, tools & greenhouse) to project beneficiary of Zhemgang (Dakpay, Kikhar, Tali, Berti) and Chhukha (Bykunza and Gedhaphu).
- Created Awareness on REDD+, waste management and climate change impacts, and Trained on organic farming approaches to farmers of Chhukha and Zhemgang.
- Installed Green-House and Water Sprinkles at Kikhar in Zhemgang and Bayul-kuenza in Chhukha as a climate smart demonstration garden for nursery raising.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
At RSPN, we believe a single grain of sand can tip the scale. You can be the grain that tips the scale towards improved environmental conditions and conservation efforts in Bhutan. RSPN has set a target to raise US$ 1.5 million for next 10 years.