Tuesday, May 18, 2010

report on Niger project

Quarterly Report 1: Dec 15, 2009 - March 15, 2010

Project Title Tibiri Women’s Gardens

Project Location Tibiri Commune southwest Niger

Project Duration 12 months

Project Start Date Dec 15, 209

Total Project Funding 18.407 GBP

Contact Information Jason Brooks

Country Director

ADRA Niger

227.94.98.99.23

adra.niger.cd@gmail.com

skype: jasonworkmac





















Introduction

As a part of the least developed nation on earth general poverty afflicts the Tibiri Commune in the same way that it touches the rest of the country. In a countrywide trend decreasing amounts of rain, that fall sporadically, and decreasing soil fertility results in less production. While production is threatened the population is exploding resulting in greater need. The long-term result is widespread food insecurity. Families cannot produce enough food to meet their needs based on rain-feed grain culture. This leaves few options for food production. One viable option is irrigated vegetable gardening. This activity requires an initial assistance with start-up costs, and most importantly, training in techniques and management.

Since December 2009 ADRA Niger with financing from the Oak Tree and Midlands International Trust has been supporting vulnerable families in the installation and management of two vegetable production sites in Tibiri Commune, southwestern Niger, with the goal of increased household food security and income generation for women.

The focus has been on training in agricultural techniques and management. Significant obstacles have been overcome and the first of the two sites has already seen its first harvest at a time when a large part of the country if Niger is undergoing a serious food security crisis.

Executive Summary

The objective of the Tibiri Women’s Gardens Project was to support the installation of two vegetable gardening sites that would be managed by female heads of households. A total of 28 women representing 196 family members are working two sites in the villages of Hamdallahi and Angoual Madoibia. An additional 5 women are benefiting from the training offered on site but are are not fully subsidized. On these two sites the beneficiaries, with the assistance of a project employed agricultural agent grow vegetables for household consumption and sale.

Project activities to date:

1. Beneficiary Selection with assistance of village council.

2. Installation of project employed agricultural agent on site.

3. Training for each beneficiary in vegetable gardening techniques by ADRA Niger’s agricultural agent on site.

4. Hand drilling of six shallow boreholes on the two sites.

5. Installation of six hand pumps on the boreholes.

6. Site preparation.

7. Distribution of seeds.

8. Distribution of gardening Tools and supplies.

9. Distribution of homemade pesticide.

10. Distribution of fertilizer.

11. Follow-up and evaluation.





Project Inputs

Material Supports Quantity

1 Hand Drilled Boreholes Installed 6

2 Hand Pumps Mounted 6

3 Gardening Tool Kits 28

4 Fertilizer 84 kg

5 Home made insecticide 15 kg

6 Potato Seeds 380 kg

7 Vegetable Seeds 1.1 kg





Figure 1 : site de Hamdallahi

Site 1 Haddallahi

The Hamdallahi Site covers one hectare. It is equipped with four hand dug boreholes and hand pumps. This site is worked by 20 women on behalf of their families. The site has been entirely fenced in by the beneficiaries using local materials. The ADRA Niger Agricultural Agent on site has distributed 260 kg of potato seeds and 800 g of vegetable seeds for planting. The vegetable seeds distributed consisted of lettuce, cabbage, tomato, okra, pepper and onion. The site was planted with 90% potato and 10% other vegetable seeds. Each woman received tools consisting of a watering can a rake and a hoe.



Figure 2: site de Madobia

Site 2 Madobia

The Madobia site measures ½ hactare. ADRA Niger’s agricultural agent on sits distributed 120 kg of potato seeds and 300 g of vegetable seeds to the 13 women beneficiaries. Each woman also received a tool kit that included a hoe and a watering can. At this site two hand-dug boreholes were installed and equipped with pumps. The water supply has proven to be sufficient due to the shallow and productive water table. As is the case with the first site 90% of the land was planted in potato and 10% in other vegetables.

Training

Every other day the agricultural agent visits each site and Works with the beneficiaries on gardening techniques and any problems that might arise in the production. The training includes micro-dosing of fertilizer, use of organic fertilizer, basic plant propagation, preparation of home made pesticides using tobacco and soap, and the care of various plants.

Mid February the sites were producing well despite the onset of the hot season. At that time it was necessary to treat with home made pesticide. This cost was not included in the budget.

Challenges

The activities of the project started about one month later than foreseen. When the work at the sites started the hand drilling of the wells was harder and slower than anticipated and some wells had to be re-drilled due to lowering water table. The wells are functioning as planned at this point. Potato seeds were for a time difficult to find but with the assistance of the mayor of the commune were able to be procured.

Hand pumps were purchased rather than motorized pumps at the request of the donor. The hand pumps are operating at the maximum of the their range and have to date required $200 of unbudgeted repairs. The advantage of the hand pumps is that they do not require managing fuel and they can often be repaired on site.

Since the beginning of March the motorcycle that the commune provided has been broken down forcing the agent to make his rounds on foot. This limits his time at the sites and the frequency of his visits. A solution will need to be found to this problem, as the commune does not have the finances to repair the motorcycle.

Activities Planned in the Next Quarter

The harvest of the first crop will be between the two sites mid March and end of March. The sites will then be planted with crops that will resist the heat and the coming rain. Moringa (local tree whose leaves are consumed) tomatoes and cowpea are planned for the next production cycle. The rainy season will start around mid June.

Financial Report

To be sent separately



Report Submitted by:

Jason Brooks

Country Director

ADRA Niger

18/3/10