SNV’s role in the EWMR Technical Assistance (TA) Consortium is to support the development of innovative finance mechanisms and value chains to improve economic and ecological benefits within Sebeya and other catchments. To accomplish this, key interventions have been focusing on improving productivity, enhancing access to inputs and products’ markets and supporting innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable livelihoods and landscape restoration.
Photo: IUCN RWANDA
During the year 2020, Irish potatoes, tomatoes, onions, Carrots, cabbage, white eggplants, Avocado and sweet bananas were identified as high potential crops for generating incomes for farmers. Trainings in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) brought together 107 farmers’, Sector and District agronomists and other relevant stakeholders.
A study on livestock preferences in the catchment culminated in design of a livestock intervention that is tailored to community needs and resource endowments. As a result, 748 beneficiaries for cows and 2,628 beneficiaries of small livestock were selected using criteria that was jointly developed by the EWMR consortium, Districts and local authorities. The beneficiaries will also receive relevant animal husbandry trainings as well as fodder production trainings to optimize the benefits of integrating livestock in farming systems.
Through participatory planning and scoping exercises, sustainable income generating activities (IGAs) that are suitable for vulnerable groups have been identified. These activities aim at providing alternative livelihood options for poor community members. Such activities include rearing small livestock and kitchen gardening to improve household nutrition among others. Practical training on establishment of kitchen gardens that incorporates fruits was started with the aim of reducing malnutrition that is prevalent across the catchment.
Communities are supported to set up and manage savings groups to strengthen resilience and improve preparedness in case of flooding or drought. The savings groups also act as a vehicle to enhance access to informal credit that can be reinvested in agriculture or other income generating activities. During the year 2020-2021, the project target is to work with 101 savings groups to overcome various gaps such as governance, record keeping financial management and smart goal setting. The target is to mobilize community members that are gaining from over 11,640 jobs that have been created by implementation of landscape restoration measures into groups that not only become savings vehicles but also can provide ecosystems services for sustainable restoration of the Sebeya catchment.
