|
PROJECT AREA |
Forestry in Land Use |
|
PROJECT TITLE |
Multipurpose Tree Planting Project |
|
LOCATION |
Steep banana fields and root crop plantations, wind-exposed banana stands, roadsides endangered by erosion, banks of streams throughout Dominica |
|
DURATION |
Five years |
|
BENEFICIARIES |
Farmers |
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, Dominicans have planted trees for fruits, nuts, timber, shade, windbreaks, ornaments etc. Recently the practice of planting trees has been slowly disappearing, as a result of a practice of intensive agriculture, especially banana cultivation, geared towards producing for export markets. As a result of laminar soil erosion, the soil fertility has been so greatly diminished that large sums of money have to be spent on fertilizers and the agricultural production in the future is endangered. Bananas are damaged as a result of lack of windbreaks. Springs of great importance for the population are reported to be dry as a result of converting watersheds into agricultural land, and streams are contaminated by the spraying of pesticides close to the embankments. Roads suffer from landslides. Timber, as well as firewood for the distillation of bay oil and for burning charcoal, is becoming scarce in various areas so that local people complain about the further distances they have to travel in order to collect wood.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
These problems of growing importance shall be tackled by a multipurpose tree planting programme. Farmers are aware of the problems and many show interest in projects of soil conservation and environmental protection. Planting will be realized by farmers, the project will be responsible for promotion, organizing, transport and assistance.
In order to give impetus to this project it is necessary to involve the extension workers of the Dominica Banana Marketing Board and the Ministry of Agriculture who are most closely in contact with the farmers and whose recommendations are essential for the practices of land use. Training shall be given to these officials in order to integrate tree planting for conservation objectives into the existing extension structure. Trees used will be of economic value in the form of fruits, nuts, spices, timber, firewood or nitrogen fixation, so that farmers will respond positively to this project. Existing diversification projects shall be integrated by the Agroforestry Unit in the efforts of soil and environmental protection.
OBJECTIVES
(a) Control soil erosion
(b) Protect watersheds and streams
(c) Improve microclimate for agricultural crops
(d) Reduce risks of hurricane damage
(e) Diversify production
(f) Improve environmental awareness of farmers and extension workers
OUTPUTS
(a) Windbreak, shelterbelt, roadside and streamside plantation with double rows of different trees: 10,000m in first year, increasing to 26,000m in fifth year.
(b) Plantation of 50 acres with contour strips of legume trees and vetiver grass for soil conservation in the first year, increasing to 200 acres in the fifth year.
(c) Environmental education for extension workers, farmers, etc.
(d) Coordination of efforts of Agriculture and Forestry Division.
ACTIVITIES
(a) Training of Ministry of Agriculture and Dominica Banana Marketing Board extension workers in conservation measures
(b) Production of video for extension workers
(c) Yearly selection of priority areas
(d) Promotion of programme through extension workers and media
(e) Lining of contour lines and windbreak location
(f) Transport of seedlings from nurseries to fields
(g) Assistance to farmers for planting
(h) Provision of materials for the protection of plants from livestock
(i) Production of video for farmers during first year's activities
(j) Coordination with diversification programmes
(k) Species to be planted:
- for windbreaks, shelterbelts etc: avocado, cashew, mango, tamarind, cinnamon, cloves, cocoa, galba, white cedar, mahogany, teak.- for contour strips (soil conservation): Calliandra, Sesbania, Gliricidia, Leucaena, Vetiver grass.
Seedlings and plants required per year:
|
|
1st year |
2nd year |
3rd year |
4th year |
5th year |
|
legume trees |
30,000 |
40,000 |
50,000 |
60,000 |
70,000 |
|
timber trees |
4,000 |
5,000 |
7,000 |
8,000 |
12,000 |
|
fruit trees |
4,000 |
5,000 |
7,000 |
8,000 |
12,000 |
|
spice trees |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
|
cocoa |
depending on cocoa project | ||||
Vetiver grass growing demand: approximately 1000m2 multiplication area
Another part of contour legumes will be sown directly (Leucaena)
BENEFITS
(a) Maintenance and improvement of soil fertility
(b) Long-term increase of agricultural productivity through wind protection and soil conservation
(c) Production of firewood and timber
(d) Production of fruits, nuts and spices
(e) Creation of favourable conditions for wildlife
(f) Improvement of water supplies
(g) Enhancement of beauty of the country
INPUTS
|
Equipment/Infrastructure |
Personnel |
|
1 4xWD vehicle |
2 Forestry Assistants (part-time 50%) |
|
1 truck |
1 Clerk/typist |
|
material and staff for video production |
1 Driver |
|
fencing material for plant protection against livestock |
|
|
seedlings and vetiver plants (from forestry nursery and MOA) |
|
|
seeds (Leucaena) and cuttings (Gliricidia, galba) |
|
|
tools |
|
NATIONAL LEAD IMPLEMENTING AGENCY
Agroforestry Unit, Forestry and wildlife Division, Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation and Ministry of Agriculture Extension Services.
LINKAGES
- Nursery project for supply of seedlings
- Agriculture Division for training of extension workers and promotion of programme and supply of vetiver grass plants
- Tropical Fruits and Spices Project for coordination
- Agricultural field stations for supply of tree crop seedlings
- Rural Communications Centre for video production
- Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation for training of extension workers and promotion of programme
- Agroforestry Development Project for utilization of experiences of trial and demonstration plots
- Cocoa and Tropical Tree and Spices Projects for coordination
BUDGET
|
(a) Donor Contribution |
US$ 186,500 |
|
(b) Government Contribution |
US$ 231,600 |
|
(c) Total Contribution |
US$ 418,100 |
DONOR CONTRIBUTION (US$)
|
ITEM |
YEAR |
||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
1 x4-WD vehicle |
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance |
5,000 |
6,000 |
7,000 |
8,000 |
9,000 |
|
1 Truck |
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Maintenance |
6,000 |
7,000 |
8,000 |
10,000 |
12,000 |
|
Video production |
3,000 |
2,000 |
|
|
|
|
Seeds, cuttings |
1,000 |
1,500 |
2,000 |
3,000 |
4,000 |
|
Fencing materials |
5,000 |
6,000 |
7,000 |
8,000 |
9,000 |
|
Tools/equipment |
3,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
Sub-total |
73,000 |
23,500 |
25,000 |
30,000 |
35,000 |
|
TOTAL US$ 186,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION (US$)
|
ITEM |
YEAR |
||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
2 Agroforestry Assistants |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
|
1 Clerk |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
|
1 Driver |
4,000 |
4,000 |
4,000 |
4,000 |
4,000 |
|
Office facility |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
|
Seedlings (fruit and spice trees) |
6,000 |
7,200 |
9,600 |
12,000 |
16,800 |
|
Sub-total |
42,000 |
43,200 |
45,600 |
48,000 |
52,800 |
|
TOTAL |
115,000 |
66,700 |
70,600 |
78,000 |
87,800 |
|
TOTAL US$ 231,600 |
|
|
|
|
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