In an effort to prevent land degradation in areas where FISD is implementing irrigation development projects,this project is aimed at stimulating community action towards natural resources management. The project, which is primarily developed to alleviate the environmental problems affecting agriculture in Chiwamba EPA in Lilongwe district, introduces and supports establishment of tree nurseries, afforestation of catchment areas of water sources, river bank protection, prevention mechanisms of forest fires, promotion of organic manures and use of fuel efficient stoves in 6 Group Village Head Areas which shall be worked on to serve as models to neighbouring villages for increased adoption of environmental management practices. In each of the targeted GVH areas, the project will build the capacity of their Village Development Committees (VDC) on natural resources management (NRM), facilitate formation of village level Natural Resources Management Committees (NRMCs), support them to implement some NRM practices with maximum community participation, and each village shall be given an assignment to replicate what shall have been implemented in their areas to at least two neighbouring villages. The initial villages, through the VDCs and NRMCs, shall host field days on which neighbouring villages shall come to see what their friends are doing as concerns natural resources management, and shall be supported to mentor two villages until they too have observable natural resources management structures. The project shall introduce yearly trophies for best performing villages on following and influencing others to adopt NRM practices. The new villages shall also follow suit. Each of the villages shall need to have the following before it qualifies to be a model to host field days and take up the mentoring responsibility to other villages:

? Have a community tree nursery
? Establish a village forestry with a minimum of 500 trees
? Have started afforestation of river catchment areas
? At least 10% of its households using locally made fuel efficient stoves
? At least 10% of its households adopt the use of organic manure

Overall Objective of the Project
The main objective is to build the capacity of rural communities to implement and spread improved natural resources management practices among smallholder farmers of Chiwamba EPA in T.A Chimutu in Lilongwe district. The specific objectives of this project are:

1. To ensure establishment of village level natural resources management committees and improve knowledge of VDCs and NRMCs on natural resources management so as to capacitate them in spearheading natural resources management issues in the project areas.
2. To promote and scale-up of sustainable soil, water and forest resources management practices.
3. To facilitate the exchange of information on best practices of sustainable natural resources management among the farmers.
4. To advocate for conservation of catchment areas of rivers and othjer marginal areas.

Implementation Strategy
1. Sensitization and training of communities and government frontline staff on natural resources conservation and sustainable agricultural practices
2. Promotion of vegetative cover through tree planting and management of existing trees and forests
3. Participatory learning and action
4. Promoting involvement of women anmd youth in community decision making processes
5. Working with and through government extension system and existing community structures

Key Project Outcomes
1. Increased public awarenesson conservation and sustainable land and agricultural practices
2. Increased vegetative cover on land.
3. Increased usage of efficient household energy devices and practices

Sustainability of Project Results
1. Sensitization and training of rural communities on conservation will have long lasting impacts.
2. Involvement of rural communities through participatory approaches in all stages of project planning and implementation will ensure community ownership to a large extent
3. Use of existing local level development structures and and locally available resources such as influencial village leaders and extension workers
4. Establishing partnerships with other development stakeholders to generate interest in supporting piloted activities.
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