Joachim Ibeziako Ezeji Rural Africa Water Development Project (RAWDP)

Joachim Ibeziako EzejiRural Africa Water Development Project

(RAWDP)

Throughout Nigeria, people are becoming

increasingly affected by extreme climate and

environmental change events.

Worsening droughts and erosion in particular is

ruining the lives and livelihood of many

households and has continued to hamper

farming activities.

Scenes of Activity

Activities:Promotion of activities that conserves water, control soil degradation and enhances productivity in the field e.g.•Agronomic, •Vegetative, •Structural •Management measures

The training of 600 local farmers and 21

focal persons

Problems:Water mismanagement, Inappropriate land use, Poor knowledge of anti-drought measures by farmers Land degradation such as soil erosionLimited potential for dry season farming through soil and water conservation, Lack of rain water harvesting technology Conflicts over limited water resources etc

Scenes of devastation

Challenges:Logistic costs e.g. the high cost of connecting various communities via road transportation and other logistics etc

Meeting fund raising target of US$500,000 Communal strife and conflicts over local streamsPoverty

Mitigation:

Involving he communities n all parts of the project cycle

Nominating a youth member of participating communities for training as ‘’Project Focal Person’’.

Some activities made to run concurrently

Adroit management of the sensitivities

Prioritization of the objectives of the project

Impact of implemented activity

• The facilitation of pro-poor governance mechanisms

• The unleashing of the creative ability of local farmers

• The adoption of conservation agriculture

• Reducing conflicts over water • A comprehensive understanding the

natural environment• Supporting 600 poor farmers in 21

communities• Enhanced income from growing

cropse.g. maize, cassava, groundnut,

cabbages, carrots, onions and tomatoes, as well as agro-forestry etc.

Major stakeholdersRural Africa Water Development Project (RAWDP)

The 21 local communities especially, farmers themselves, the women groups and land owners etc

Volunteering staffs of local universities

Officials of government departments at the local government etc

Sustainability Project an outcome of 2005 field training in

Nanyuki KenyaPromotes adaptation to Climate ChangeEasy and high potential to up-scale and

replicateNeed for goodwill in communities Fund raising activities through sales of our

video documentaries and promotional stickers as well as the “Dedicate a tree initiative”

Facilitator skills

Commitment:

• Documentation of these practices• Documentation of indigenous knowledge• Adoption of Agro-forestry, minimum tillage,

terraces, water pond, roof catchment and others etc

• Farmers –to- farmer peer review activities• 1000 trees have successfully been planted • Evaluating and disseminating of knowledge• Food security guaranteed

Lessons Learnt: Diffusion of knowledge or knowledge sharing

in drought managementApplication of simple land management

options An understanding of the benefits accruable

by farmers Ease of adaptation