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Brief Description of the Project Components
A- Strengthening and Self Management of Interest Groups (IGs)
A variety of activities conducted for self management of IGs include Training Need Assessment for two male IGs and one female IG through experts, Basic Skills Development training at field office Sakhra, in which 22 IG members were trained in strengthening of IGs, two exposure visits, one orientation session for female IG members, two Non Formal Education schools for children involved in NTFP collection and linkages development with education department for their support and recognition, preparation of Strategic Plan for strengthening of LASOONA, small action fund for income enhancement and collective saving of female IGs and establishment of two functional literacy centers for female IGs with a total of 70 students. Moreover, the project has also developed linkages with different projects and government line departments. Under the linkages facilitation component, three water supply schemes are in progress and three IGs have started to register as a CCB. In addition, the project team also arranged an event for the review of Bar Lalku INRM plan. All the government line departments and projects presented their progress, lessons learnt and future potentials. Due to this intervention of the project, the Forest department afforested 150 acres of land, fisheries department introduced trout fish, agriculture department established plots of off season vegetables and provided pesticides and spray pumps to the community.
B- Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Especially NTFPs
The Project area is potent in NTFPs and for their sustainable use certain activities are being carried out. These activities include training of IGs in wild honeybee keeping (9 beekeepers trained), two lemongrass, jute and turmeric plots on trial basis, five pre and post-harvest management trainings for sustainable harvesting of MAPs- out of which 2 were for female IGs and establishment of Village Resource Centers (2 with males and 1 with females) to disseminate the knowledge, information and demonstration regarding MAPs. In addition, the project conducted a survey and organized a workshop for the inclusion of NTFPs’ chapter in the village plan of Bar Lalku and arranged lectures in high schools about conservation. Later on, quiz competition was organized for the students.
C- Promoting Market Related Opportunities With Local Dynamics
Under this result, the project trained 3 male IG members and 17 female IG members in market competence and facilitated the IGs in linkages development. For this purpose, three events were organized including a visit to Akbar Mandi, Lahore. The project also trained four IGs in proper management of black amlook. After training the IG member collected black amlook and processed according to the resource person’s guidance. Then 25 mound black amlook were marketed in Mingora with 40 % higher prices.
D- Improvements in Agriculture and Livestock Related Practices of IGs
The project also has played and is playing its role in improving agriculture and livestock related practices. The project team conducted PRA exercise with female IGs for identifying their priorities in agriculture and livestock related interventions. Four trainings in two IGs about poultry management and general livestock rearing have been conducted. Similarly, three male IGs have been trained in urea treatment for proper fodder storage. One of the major achievements of the project is preparation of MAPs based concentrated feed for livestock with the help of local Hakeem. As been tested by Veterinary Research Institute Peshawar, the feed has excellent results. Thirty four kitchen gardens have been established with female IGs, producing peas, turnips and French beans. Moreover, the project also organized an exposure visit for female IGs to Ranra Welfare Organization in Mingora. Ten female IG members along with two male participated in the visit. The project also mobilized an already trained livestock extension worker who is now offering his services in the said field.
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