Environments all over the world undergo various levels of destruction due to rapid increase in population growth. In Liberia, as the population continues to grow, pressures on the natural areas are also growing which is affecting all ecosystems in the country.

This project is in support of the Government of Liberia?s efforts to prevent biodiversity loss and degradation of the land and also poverty reduction. It is consistent with the GEF focal area of Biodiversity Conservation. The focus is on creating alternative livelihood opportunities, market support systems, and awareness and education on environmental/biodiversity issues, which will contribute to curtailing the wanton destruction of the environment in the project area.

The objective of the project is to strengthen biodiversity conservation at the community level by improving the livelihood of 100 Kukatonon women farmers and community members in Careysburg District through year-round chili pepper production.

The Specific Objectives are:

1. To build the capacity of 20 Kukatonon Women and 5 community members to become promoters of biodiversity conservation in Careysburg District;

2. To increase awareness among 45 KWAC members and at least 5,000 communities members about biodiversity conservation; and

3. To build the capacity of 100 Kukatonon Women and community members in the project area to engage in year round cayenne pepper production and market access support

The project is expected to improve biodiversity conservation practices at the community level and increase the income of 100 project beneficiaries.

Kukatonon Women Cooperative is based at the community level and will work closely with its technical partner, the Liberia Multi-Agriculture Venture (LIMAVE), and community members to implement this project. The Project will have three core components. The first is capacity building of Kukatonon Women and community members to become promoters of biodiversity conservation in Careysburg District. The second is awareness raising and education on biodiversity among KWAC and communities members. The third is chili pepper production using small-scale irrigation system, and market access support.

The total project cost is US$30,985.00 for a period of 12 months. GEF SGP is expected to provide an amount of US$24,235.00 (trainings, biodiversity awareness and education activities, equipment and materials, personnel support, monitoring, and overhead costs. The in-kind contribution of Kukatonon Agriculture Cooperative (KWAC) is valued at US$6,750.00 (land area, office space).