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climate

Climate change adaptation in Balikumbat

Climate change is a threat to all regions of the world, and Balikumbat in Northwest Cameroon is no exception. In 2014, with the support of the GEF Small Grants Programme, CAEPA implemented a project titled “Agro-silvo pastoral project for climate change mitigation and combating land degradation for smallholder farmers and Mbororo Fulani pastoralists in the Balikumbat subdivision.” The goal of this project was to improve the resilience of farming systems and livelihood strategies for smallholder farmers, especially Mbororo Fulani pastoralists, in coping with climate change through increased use of trees for intensification, diversification and buffering of farming systems in Balikumbat.

 

This project was wide-ranging and implemented multiple activities to achieve the project objectives. By December 2014, the project aimed to establish community awareness and conservation programs in Mbororo pastoralist communities, improve agricultural techniques, promote local community involvement to better livelihoods and reduce vulnerability to climate change. In order to do so, CAEPA invited 70 participants to the project launch and conducted a baseline survey on demographics, crop productivity, food security and climate change perspectives for 495 individuals in the five communities of Balikumbat. The survey responses provided critical information on seasonal variations, water scarcity, soil erosion, flooding and deforestation that severely challenge the livelihoods of farmers in the region. CAEPA utilised this knowledge to inform its resource and activity planning.

 

To enhance climate change awareness and understanding of the need for improved agricultural practices, CAEPA initiated environmental clubs in six schools in the Balikumbat subdivision and reorganized 43 common initiative groups to enhance their ability to confront and counter environmental challenges. Sensitisation sessions on climate change and land degradation were held for the students and community members of these groups, targeting Mbororo Fulani smallholder farmers.

 

Presentations and training activities were conducted for the students and community groups, including a tree planting demonstration, in which 365 ornamental and fruit tree varieties were planted in six schools in Balikumbat, and a workshop on the creation and maintenance of tree nurseries and the collection and storage of seeds for 40 farming group leaders. Sixty-three individuals from 20 common initiative groups created three additional tree nurseries in Balikumbat, Baligahsu and Bamumkumbit. Five demonstration plots were also set up in the five villages of Balikumbat, where fencing, tree integration and windbreaks were exemplified for 3,251 trees of four species. Furthermore, two pasture plots of one hectare each were created to serve as seed banks in Balikumbat and Bamunkumbit.

 

In addition to hands-on training, activities were planned to heighten awareness for climate change and improved farming practices. To celebrate World Environment Day, 200 participants from five schools and 40 common initiative groups took part in a march to raise awareness for climate change. CAEPA helped participants create 5,000 flyers on climate change and water catchment protection to distribute within the communities. At the end of the march, 400 people were sensitised on deforestation as well as health topics, such as HIV/AIDS. 

 

Training on agroforestry techniques is critical to aiding communities in adopting improved agricultural practices to promote sustainability. Forty common initiative group leaders were educated in a workshop on tree integration, windbreaks, firebreaks, construction of A-Frames, contour planting and alley cropping. A training on fruit tree domestication was also held for 40 smallholder farmers and Mbororo Fulani pastoralists to teach grafting, cutting and layering (fruit tree domestication techniques), which the participants used for 363 fruit tree seeds. In addition, two meetings were held with 41 grazers and two members of traditional councils on the mapping of transhumance routes and zones to uncover fertile regions and identify conflict hot spots for natural resources in Balikumbat. Twenty maps of transhumance routes were produced and distributed to traditional council members and farmers/pastoralist groups.

 

 

This project also included a component specifically geared to women in Balikumbat. In total, 747 women and girls were sensitised on climate change issues. Thirty-nine women common initiative group leaders were trained on group dynamics and financial management. Twenty women were also able to obtain a loan from the Ngoketunjia Cooperative Credit Union Branch office in Balikumbat. These women used the proceeds for trading and farming. Additionally, 40 women from five communities were trained on the production and use of improved clay cooking stoves. The “Woman Sustainable Development Fund” was also created (and headed by a woman) to further promote eco-friendly agricultural practices in Balikumbat.

 

This project touched the lives of many community members in Balikumbat, but was particularly geared to the Mbororo Fulani pastoralists, who were integral to its conception and planning. The elements of the project were designed in a participatory manner to enable the Mbororo to continue the project after funding. As a result of the initiatives put in place, 1,282 community members were sensitised on mitigating global climate change. The implementation of seed banks, water catchment protection, sustainable cropping systems and the improved management of natural resources are all outputs of this project and serve to contribute to the enhancement of livelihoods and environmental protection in Balikumbat.

 

Monitoring and evaluation site visits and surveys were conducted to assess the success of the project. Thirty smallholder farmers of the Mbororo Fulani community provided testimonies that the project helped them improve their farming practices and enabled women in their community to obtain loans and use enhanced agricultural knowledge to become financially independent. A case study on the project results was also undertaken and the lessons learned were recorded and provided to 50 stakeholders. In addition, a local press conference was held to publicize the results of the evaluation.

 

CAEPA has ensured that the project will continue to benefit the communities in Balikumbat. To oversee the implementation of the project, the Balikumbat Subdivisional Mixed Farmers’ Cooperative Society was created as the main point of contact. The Society will continue to liaise with community members to follow-up on community members’ needs, approve new loans and conduct further evaluations, in conjunction with CAEPA.

Training manuals and sensitisation material given to groups and school environmental clubs will continue to be used in these communities.

 

Although poverty and conflict are endemic in Balikumbat, CAEPA is optimistic that interventions such as this project provide the necessary support for smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods through environmental conservation. CAEPA is very grateful to the Global Environmental Facility, the GEF Small Grants Programme in Cameroon and the United Nations Development Programme for their assistance in making this project possible.