- Livelihood activities implemented, and planting materials provided serve as an economic stream and an alternative source of income generation. 159 farmers have been trained, farm equipment provided, 4 demonstration farms established (1200 plantain and 2500 cassava crops) on over 1.5hectars. Propagators for plantain and Eru multiplication established (Eru propagator capacity 900 and plantain 2500). 3000 bush mango nurseries equally established and distributed. Eru demonstration farm of a capacity of 50 plant established. This has greatly diversified their source of income and enhanced their production capacity.
- The productive rate of cassava stands at an average of 6.6kg, 9.9 tubers and 103.8 cuttings per stand and an income stream is 3,344,705 FCFA(1$ = 500 CFA frs) this has tremendously increased household income and supported families meet up with alternative need out of farm supplies. As community member intensify the production of cassava they generate more and fast income and readily food supplies as opposed to relying solely on cocoa farming. This addresses food security and poverty level of participating households.
- For solar panel management and maintenance 2 women have been trained. Their connection with the community reduces the susceptibility of migrating to cities. For support other 13 animators (9women and 4 men) from within the community. This managing body currently manages the solar systems of the learning center but will have a bigger responsibility when support is obtained for the provision of panels.
- A local project committee in created and their capacity strengthened to oversees and manage the overall project activities, mobilize community and manage community conflict within the context of this project. Currently they provide support to groups managing demonstration farms, learning centers and the damages caused within the community as a result of the noncompliance of our funding partners for the provision of panels.
- Mobilisation and Sensitisation meetings, public talks and radio talks will be carried out to raise awareness on climate change.
- Training workshop will be organized to train community members on environmental conservation and sustainable forest management.
- T-shirt, flyer, paper bags and training manuals will be printed to show the impact of the project in mitigating climate change.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Establishment of demonstration farm that would serve as a source of income for the community. This will include
- Cassava and plantains planted on 2 hectares of land. Products from this farms wilI be sold and funds put in the community project fund for community use and sucker and cuttings distributed to households to planting in their respective farms.
- Eru and bush mango planted of 2 hectares of land. This on the other hand will serve as a long term source of income to the community.
Gender Focus
It utilizes a gender based approach (inclusive participation for both men and women) thus recognizes the important role women play in community development and engages them as key mechanism for the implementation of the project. This project engages women in the following way
- Build the capacity of two (2) women as solar engineers. These women shall be between the ages of 35 -50 with deep roots in their communities with very little probability of relocating to other areas. On return, 4 more women and 2 men will be trained in the installation, maintenance and repairs of panels throughout the project
- A local solar committee of 5 shall be established to monitor and manage the project at the level of the community. 2/3 of this committee will be made up of women. Same as to all the committees like plantain and cassava farms and eru and bush mango nursery committees.
- Women shall comprise of over 50% of participants of the various trainings organized.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
The indigenous population of these community shall be engaged in the following way :
- Participation in based line survey to identify the community?s customs that will act as strength and opportunities to the project as well as define the threats and weakness that might likely affect the project.
- They shall be effectively involved in all decision making processes throughout the project, taking in to account their heritage and local customs.
- They shall actively participate in all workshops, contribute in meeting and hold key positions in the local committees established.
- Be primary beneficiaries of all material distributed (cassava, plantain, bush mango and Eru).
Notable Community Participation
The project follows a participatory approach as such engages the community from the initial stage of planning to implementation and evaluation.
At the level of planning and design the community shall be involved in the following way
- Need assessment and definition of community profile. That is assessing the economic, social, environmental situation and geographical location of these communities. Also, this baseline survey will define their poverty level and level of empowerment of beneficiaries that would serve as a base to measure results at the end of the project.
- Decision on women to attend training in India and training at home by women on return. Thus engaging the community to participate effectively in the identification and selection of women.
- The establishment of a management committee to oversee the running of the project at community level liaising and working hand in hand with implementing organisation
- Formation of committees to manage demonstration farms of cassava and plantain, the nursery for Eru and Bush mango. Engaging members in the establishment of a constitution to define ways to effectively run, manage and maintain committee facilitated by implementing organisation.
- Providing a building to host the workshop and land for the tree nurseries, demonstration and multiplication farms.
At the level of Project implementation
- Tow (2) grandmothers selected from the community shall be trained as solar engineers at Barefoot College Tilonia India on Solar Electrification and roof top rainwater har. They have as responsibility on their return with the support of 6 assistants to install panels on household, health and learning center and shall cater for their maintenance.
- The community solar management committee is established to manage the project as the community level. This committee shall be responsible for managing payment for repairs and maintenance on need base, payment of engineers and assistances and all available resource to ensure continuity of the project. Also, they shall establish a list of participating families and coordinate the identification of a building to serve as workshops for women solar engineers.
- The communities shall be responsible for the clearance and transportation of panels from the Douala international seaport to their communities
- It shall be the responsibility of the community to ensure the installation of panels to all houses and provision of needs like acid for the effective functioning of panels.
- Community shall provide Bush mango seeds and Eru cuttings for the establishment of a Bush mango nursery and Eru propagator.
- Benefiting households will be required to pay on need bases for the maintenance and repairs of panels in case of any problem.
At the level of project Monitoring and Evaluation
- The local community management committees (solar committee, plantain and cassava farm management committee and Eru and Bush mango nursery committee) shall be required to provide verbal reports to implementing organisation (RUWDEC) on monthly basis on the progress or difficulties encountered during the implementation of the project.
- Beneficiary feedback shall be obtained during monitoring visits, midterm and end of project evaluation providing important details to assess the outcome/results of the project, enabling the implementing organisation to make informed decisions in case plans have to be reviewed.
- The community shall be involved in the planning and organisation of a final evaluation meeting to communicate project results,
Policy Impact
The project will
- Improve bilateral relationship between Cameroon government and Indian Government
- Encourage civil society participate in community development and in take leading role in providing solutions to the challenges facing grass root communities in Cameroon.
- Give room for collaboration with local government administrations and elites. Hence strengthen collaboration between the government, the civil society and community leaders.
- Enhance collaboration between national and international organization in their commitment to promote the adaptation of renewable energy by removing barriers and reducing implementation cost.
- It provides a platform for local communities to work together and play leading roles in their development.
Capacity - Building Component
This project will
- Train two grandmother?s on solar engineering at Barefoot College Tilonia India.
- 4 other women and 2 young men will be trained on solar electrification installation and maintenance by the 2 grandmothers on their return from India.
- Train 50 farmers on the rapid multiplication of Cassava and plantain
- Organise workshop on Eru and bush mango production, training 50 farmers
- Mobilise and sensitise community of environmental conservation and sustainable forest management
- Train 50 locals of the community on best practices on envirionmental conservation and sustainable forest management.
- Some selected community members will be trained on proper management of specific project component (domentration sites of eru, plantain, bushmango and cassava as well as solar electrification component.
- A learning centered shall be established and powered with electricity to provide a platform for youths to learn and hold evening classes.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
To ensure the sustainability of the project, community participation shall be an integral part and key arm in the implementation of the project. In this regards
- Solar engineers shall be trained from within the community. This shall be women between the ages of 35 -50 with beep roots in their communities with very little probability of relocating to other areas. On their return, 4 more women and 2 men will be trained to carry out the installation, maintenance and repairs of panels throughout the project
- A local solar committee of 5 shall be established to monitor and manage the project at the level of the community. They shall be trained by the implementing organisation and provided with the necessary resources and support to carry out their work. In return, they shall report to implementing organization on continuous bases on the progress of the project. This committee shall be responsible for managing monthly payment, payment of engineers and assistances and all available resource to ensure continuity of the project.
- Other committees shall be established to manage the Bush mango and Eru nursery, plantain and cassava farm and the implementing organisation shall empower them with the necessary tools to manage the farm and nursery. It shall be responsible to manage the outputs from the farms and nursery for the benefit of the community. Interestingly, the committees shall provide marginalised households with cuttings and suckers from the demonstration farms to ensure sustainability of the improved materials.
- The output from the farms like the cassava tuber and plantain bunches shall be sold at affordable prices and the revenue ploughed into the community funds to handle need of the project at community level.
- Benefiting households will be required to pay on need bases for the maintenance and repairs of panels in case of any problem. This will serve as reward for services rendered by solar women engineers (a price list will be established to this regard).
- The community shall provide a building for a local solar workshop which will be equipped with 2 years spare parts. This will provide replacements parts, facilitate repairs of equipment and provide a platform for the women to work.
Project Results
* Baselines survey carried out and report being established, MOU established and signed;
* 2 scholarships awarded by the India governments for studies at Barefoot college Tilonia India, 2 Women identified and trained in India;
* 2 management committees established and trained in Eshobi and Eyang Ntui;
* 73 farmers trained on rapid multiplication of improved planting materials of cassava and plantains and Training manuals available;
* Cassava demonstration farm of 5000 cuttings established. Cassava cutting nursery established - plantain explants propagator established (118 plantain explants propagated to produce over 10.000 seedling);
***Assessment of the community current situation and carryout analysis depending on their needs, willingness to pay and ability to sustain the technology. This activity was carried out from January through to February 2015. The result of this activity was the production of a baseline survey which characterizes the physical, socio economic, cultural and political settings of both participating communities. It documents their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, communal practices; institutions established highlighting current development ventures, projected projects to improve on the livelihood of the households as well as the willingness of the people to embrace the solar project. (See report on baseline survey).
In addition to this survey, series of community meeting were organized to mobilize and sensitize the community on the Solar project. This platform was used to engage effective community participation in the implementation of the project. Community members were schooled on their responsibility towards the project, two (2) local project committees established in Eshobi and Eyang-Ntui governed by an elected executive representing both communities. A two day training workshop was organized from the 18-19th of February 2015to build the capacity of committee members and enlighten the community members on key project activities.
Through these mobilization meetings, the community identified the two (2) women trained in India as well as the young men and women to serve as animators.
A total of four (4) trips made, Six (6) community meetings organized, a two (2)day workshop organized, 469 people reached as opposed to 200 (community meeting-219, survey questionnaires ? 250), two (2) MOU?s signed and 300 households identified.
*** Training of 2 women on solar electrification in India. With the support and sponsorship of the Indian Government and Barefoot College Tilonia India, two women in the persons of Mengot Lucy and Esther Ebai Enow from Eshobi and Eyang-Ntui respectively attended a 6 months course (September 2014 to March 2015) on ITEC Solar Engineering in India. This training was meant to build on their capacities as grandma solar engineers as it serves as a crucial component to effectively engage women and enforce community participation at all levels of the project to ensure sustainability and community ownership.
The women on return were given a grand welcome reception which was marked by their reception at the governor?s office of the South West Region, the Mamfe council and local community. At the community level, they were welcomed as royalties with members of both communities lined up on each side of the road screaming and waving palms fronds while the traditional dance groups kept the entertainment going.
As oppose to 100 households required by the Barefoot model as a limit to be handle by both women (50 households each), they both have a target of 300 homes (current number of households in their communities) to handle.
*** Training of 4 other women and young men. Starting from the month of June following the return of the grandma solar engineers to their communities, 31/2 months of training have been organized foreight (8) women and five (5) young men who will serve as animators and a support staff to the women. To make this activity effective, a meeting was held with the grandma engineers and selected animators from both communities to develop a suitable schedule. Currently trainings are held twice a week, on Monday?s and Friday?s as they alternate between communities.
For increase learning and sharing of knowledge, we organized the first visit of the pioneer grandma solar engineers from Munyange trouble in the name of Francisa Moki and Nchange Helen Ayuk who spent three (3) days providing support to the other grandma support engineers, exchanging ideas and effectively participating in the training of animators.
As of now, only one (1) visit has been carried out. Two(2) more are projected after the provision of panels.
Animators of Eyang- Ntui: Agbor Erick Bawak, Enowto Helen, Ebai Yvonne, Lang Amosco, Apah-Apah Marvellous.
Animators for Eshobi: Ebai Nicoline, Hana Judith Salle Eyongechaw, Tabe Solange, Ayuk Nelson Tabot, Tabot Emmanuel, Agbor Susan, Enow Margret, Enow Felipia.
*** The rapid multiplication of improved planting material o cassava and plantains.
A four (4) day training workshop was organized from the 7th to 10th of April 2015 on ?Rapid multiplication of improved planting materials of cassava and plantains? bringing together 73 farmers from Eshobi and Eyang- Ntui communities. This training had as objective to educate farmers and encourage investment in the production and multiplication of cassava and plantain planting materials with key focus on the commercial benefits and its potential to raise household income (serve as alternative source of income). It also focused on providing practical exercises demonstrating the methods and techniques of multiplying cutting and suckers, cumulating with the establishment of a demonstration farm for impact assessment.
On cassava multiplication 41 participants were trained on the varieties types of cassava, the importance of cassava tubers and stems, principles of rapid multiplication, field maintenance and harvesting. On the other hand the training on plantain suckers multiplication brought together 32 participants who were schooled on the mass production of plantain and banana suckers using the PIF methods, techniques of planting and production of plantlets.
At the end of training, 2 demonstration farms of 5000 cassava stem cuttings and 1200 plantain suckers was established in these communities (2500 cassava cuttings and 600 plantains suckers in each community). A propagator for production of plantain explants with 200plantlets and cassava mini-sets nursery beds of one and two board mini-sets was established.
This training projected to train 50participants reached its target and beyond due to the increase interest manifested among the inhabitants of both communities.
*** Establishment of multiplication/demonstration farms for cassava and plantains. Following the training workshop participants were provided with 5000 cassava cuttings and 1200 plantain suckers for the establishment of demonstration plots as well as a plantain propagator and a cassava nursery for multiplication.
Using the knowledge and techniques thought in the workshop, participants have effectively establishments demonstration plots estimated to over 1/4 hectares in both communities. Though some plants were lost due to dehydration and lack rain fall, over 95% of all plants planted have survived.
The multiplication of plantain plantlets from the plantain propagator has been successful as 85% of the ex-plants have been weaned, planted in polythene bags and transplanted to the demonstration farm at Eyang ? Ntui. An additional, 170 plantain plantlets have been reactivated, weaned and planted in polythene bags. Likewise, an additional 3034 cassava mini-sets of two eyes cuttings and one eye cuttings have been re-established at the nursery plots. Focused groups have been established in for each livelihood activities for follow up and maintenance of demonstrations farms.
*** Training on sustainable Bush mango and Eru production. A three (3) day training workshop on ?sustainable Bush mango/Eru domestication and improved propagation techniques for non-timber products (NTFPs)was held from the 8th -10th of June 2015 at Eshobi village bringing together 62 participants from both Eshobi and Eyang ? Ntui communities. This was organized following the project objective to mitigate climate change through the planting of non- timber forest product which in effect would serve as an alternative source of income for the local inhabitants of these communities.
The training focused on enhancing the knowledge, capacity and skills of farmers on improved techniques of producing non- timber forest products like propagation, macotting, budding and grafting. It utilized practical exercises to demonstration these various techniques for effectively understanding by participants. For Eru domestication, demonstrations were given on the methods and techniques of propagation, shade and routine maintenance operations and a non ? mist propagator constructed. On the other hand, the techniques for producing Bush mango include; planting by seeds, macotting, grafting and budding.
While 34 participants participated in the training on Eru domestication and where trained on the construction of a propagator, collection and preparation of Eru cuttings, setting cuttings in propagator, maintenance of a propagator, weaning and acclimatizing rooted cuttings and planting Eru seedlings in the farm, 28 participants were trained on the importance of non-timber forest products, and the various types of vegetative propagation techniques such as grafting, macotting, and budding.
As opposed to training 50 participants, 62 farmers from both communities were trained.
Establishment of Bush mango nursery and Eru propagator. Following the training workshop on sustainable Bush mango and Eru production a non- mist Eru propagator was constructed with two chambers containing 352 Eru cuttings while 5000 polythene bags were provided for the establishment of a bush mango nursery with each community receiving 2500 polythene bags.
These plants are projected to cover 20 hectares of land and serve as an alternative source of income to the inhabitants of both communities.
So far, the Eru propagator is been operated properly and has recorded 100% success, 300 cuttings weaned and propagator re-activated. On the other hand, only 50% of polythene bags required to establish a bush mango nursery has been filled. Community currently mobilizing effects to obtain seeds and complete the rest.
*** Two major mobilization and sensitization visits were effected in November 2015 and March 2016 to increase awareness on environmental conservation and protection, forest management and climate change. It was aimed primarily at censuring communities understanding of environmental conservation, forest management and Climate change (focusing on what they know/think and how they manage it). Also assess the communities level of understanding and consciousness on this subject matter, know how they at their local level react and manage climate change, and provide community members with basic information on the subject matter
In addition to this survey, three (3) community meetings were carried out to raise awareness of the inhabitants of Eshobi, and Eyang Ntui on the effects of the human activities that causes destruction on the environment through cutting of trees for fuel wood used for cooking and other sources of energy. This platform was used to engage effective community participation in community meeting so as to empower community members on the strategies of environmental protection and climate change.
Through these mobilization meetings two (2) trips made, three (3) community meetings organized, 164 people reached as opposed to 100 (75 during community meetings and 89 door to door sensitization) and 89 survey questionnaires administered
*** One community stakeholder meeting was organized with all communities to decide on the establishment of a community learning center in Eshobi and Eyang ? Ntui. The objective of the meeting was to get stakeholders of Eshobi and Eyang ? Ntui communities in the improvement of knowledge of pupils, students and even adults through the establishment of a community learning center in Eshobi and Eyang ? Ntui. The purpose of the meeting was to see to what extent the communities could embrace the learning center and their contribution towards the implementation of the project. The establishment of a community learning center was deliberate on through 3 dimensions which included structure, security and management, wherein issues were raised on community engagement, options and challenges that may be face by the communities in the establishment of the learning center.
Two (2) Learning centers where established in both communities with each facility equipped with the following:
- One (1) 30 watt solar panel
- Solar controller
- Four (4) ultra-bright security lamp
- Four (4) switch cables
- Four (4) extension cables
- USB phone charging kit
- One (1) battery cable
- One (1) battery
- Two (2) tables and Four (4) benches
These centers are to serve as a hub where students and pupils especially those in examinations classes can read at night, connect and exchange learnings. This goes in a bit to promote and enhance grass root education by utilizing renewable energy. This was a major innovation as previous focus was tailored towards household electrification. Focus on creating this safe spaces does not only provide lighting for studying but support and motivation as students study together.
***A two (2) day training workshop was organized on climate change and forest management bringing together a diverse group of participants that included farmers, head teachers, traditional council members, youths, women and hunters from Eshobi and Eyang ? Ntui. This training had as objective to enhance the skills and knowledge of men and women on environmental conservation and protection, forest management and climate change. It also focused on participants understanding the value and potential of their forest, the importance of this forest to them and future generation as well as the reasons why they should protect it, understand the environmental impact of over exploiting their forest reserves and natural resources, and participants can list and demonstrate the various methods or techniques required to effective manage and protect their nature environment.
Participants were trained on climate change and its consequences, mitigating climate change, aspects of environmental protection and forest management, importance of forest management and the procedures in forming a village forest management committee.
At the end of the training, 18 participants were trained on climate change and forest management. The training projected to train 50 participants, target not reached due to commitment in other activities.
