Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
CARE International UK

Project Code: 015-680-002	Start Date: 01/04/1992	End Date: 31/03/1995
Commitment: £214,700	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
The Kanem prefecture, on the northern fringe of Chad's Sahelo-Saharan zone, suffers from long-term deforestation and environmental degradation, processes which were accelerated by the prolonged drought of 1973-85. The population has long been accustomed to a livelihood based on a flexible combination of pastoralism and rain-fed agriculture, but natural rangelands have deteriorated to such an extent that their carrying capacity has been exceeded. Many can no longer subsist on their livestock and rainfed cereal crops planted on the dunes and have been forced to turn to irrigated agriculture for a relatively secure food base. Even those traditionally engaged in agriculture are finding it necessary to turn more and more the irrigated farming as the rains can no longer be depended on. Due to the accelerated rate of environmental change and rapidly increasing pressure on the land, traditional land-use systems which provided needed tree resources without organised tree planting activities are no longer adequate. While the primary concern of subsistence level farmers, such as those in Kanem, must necessarily by short-term in nature and related to food and water, the long-term sustainability of the land is severely threatened if new coping mechanisms are not developed. The Kanem Agroforestry and Environmental Awareness Project is based upon the experiences gained and lessons learned by CARE-Chad through its agriculture and forestry programming in the Kanem since 1984. Initial programming responded to drought and severe food shortages by assisting refuges to settle on productive lands in Kanem ouaddis, fertile depressions with shallow water tables. Basic agriculture and forestry principles were extended and tools and seed provided. The current project aims to address the long-term viability of these activities. Implemented in collaboration with the relevant GOC agencies. The goal is to increase the productivity of ouaddi agriculture land for 2,000 families in the Cheddra, Nokou and Mao areas of the Kanem by 1993. In addition, the project will work to create an institutional and natural environment conducive to sustaining these gains. Key elements of the project strategy are: - farmer participation in problem identification - locally determined management decisions - practices that can be replicated without external support.

Project Objectives:
The wider objective of the project is to increase the productivity and sustainability of ovaddi agriculture for 2,000 families in the Ceddra, Nokou and Mao areas of the Kanem. The immediate objectives are: For 50 percent of farmers in 60 ovaddi's to participate in the development and implementation of improved land-use practices For the target population to have access to improved GOC agriculture and forestry extension services Increased participation of key sectors of the general public, especially women and children, in efforts to combat deforestation.

Intended Outputs:
14 extension staff are trained in participatory extension methods for diagnosis and design of farming system interventions. 100 farmers are trained to produce trees via direct seeding, vegetative propagation and containerized nurseries. 100 farmers are trained to optimize land utilization by planting woody species. 100 farmers are trained in basic extension methods to transfer technical skills to their neighbours. 75 farmers trained in improved date production. 75 farmers trained in date plantation management. 100 farmers evaluate strategies and options to improve land management. GOC agents trained in nursery production and basic extension methods. Residents of 200 villages sensibilized in environmental conservation. 40,000 trees are distributed to 200 villages annually. Children in 5 schools are trained in tree production and environmental awareness. Fuel efficient woodstoves are tested in 100 homes and a preferred model is selected.