Project News

We really regret the delay of updating the progress of the project after July, 2012. This project news summarizes the project activities conducted from July 2012 to March 2013, which details are also shown in Newsletter vol. 5.

• Newsletter

(1) Output 1: Development of a Mechanism on CB-NRM on a Village Level

i) Participatory Land Use Planning in Sucos Hautoho and Tohumeta

In Sucos Hautoho and Tohumeta, local communities engaged in the following activities with the assistance of the Project from July to December, 2012.

1. Tara Bandu ceremonies to announce the enforcement of village regulations to the public
2. Selection of supporting programs to materialize the future land use plan of the village

ii) Enforcement of the Village Regulations in the Six Target Villages

The leaders of the target villagers have periodically organized the meetings to monitor the enforcement of the village regulations through discussions on the issues and problems found in the villages to figure out the possible solutions with assistance from NGOs.

iii) Implementation of Micro Programs in Sucos Faturasa, Fadabloco, Talitu and Madabeno

In this reporting period, NGOs provided hands-on training and OJT to the local communities of Sucos Faturasa, Fadabloco, Talitu and Madabeno through implementation of the micro programs as tabulated below.

MP	Suco	Topics of Training/OJT
Sustainable Upland Farming Promotion with Community-Based Seed Extension Micro Program (SUFP with CBSE-MP)	Faturasa and Fadabloco	Application of bench terrace techniques Application of contour composting techniques Land preparation with compost application Selection of seeds Seeding/planting Preparation of liquid fertilizer Maintenance of farms with application of liquid fertilizer Planting of green manure
Income Generating/Livelihood Development Micro Program (IG/LD-MP)	Fadabloco	Dried sweet potato production Herb tea production Salted vegetable production Banana and cassava chips production Sewing machine utilization Bag making using recycle rice sacks Training on marketing, accounting, and promotion of poducts
SUFP-MP	Talitu and Madabeno	Same as SUFP with CBSE-MP in Sucos Faturasa and Fadabloco
Seedling Production and Tree Planting Promotion MP (SPTPP-MP)	-ditto-	Mixing of soils with sands and compost Filling of soils into poly bags Transplanting of sprouts into poly bags Planting of teak cuttings into poly bags Delineation of contour lines (use of an A-frame) Staking Pitting Refilling and planting Maintenance of seedlings planted

As for SUFP with CBSE-MP in Sucos Faturasa and Fadabloco, the improve seeds on upland crops, such as maize, sweet potato, cassava and peanuts were planted at the demonstration plots with support from Seed of Life in order that the beneficiaries' groups can produce improved seeds to distribute to the members in the next cropping season.

On the other hand, the members of SPTPP-MP in Sucos Talitu and Madabeno planted a total of 21,139 seedlings in the individual plots.

iv) Implementation of Micro Programs in Sucos Tohumeta and Hautoho

In Sucos Tohumeta and Hautoho, the preparatory works, namely, i) organization of the beneficiaries' groups for the selected micro programs, ii) exposure visits for core members of the beneficiaries' groups, and iii) preparation of work plans for the micro programs were carried out. Consequently, three (3) beneficiaries' groups were organized each for SUFP with CBSE-MP and IG/LD-MP in Suco Hautoho, while eight (8) groups were organized for Sustainable Use of Backyard Garden/Permanent Farm Micro Program in Suco Tohumeta.

Making A-Frame for contour composting

Maintenance of nursery

(2) Output 2: Development of the Stakeholders’ Capacity for CB-NRM

i) Technical Seminars on CB-NRM Techniques

During the reporting period, the following technical seminars were conducted for the counterparts to deepen their understanding on CB-NRM.

Technical seminar	Date	No. of CPs
Facilitation skills	Oct. 8, 2012	14 persons
Major techniques and skills of the micro programs	Nov. 9, 2012	13 persons
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)	Jan. 22, 2013	13 persons
Participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation	Feb. 11, 2013	14 persons

ii) OJT on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

The JICA Project Team organized the OJT of the counterparts in conducting PRA sessions in Suco Fahisoi on January 23 and 24, 2013 with participation of 15 members, who were involved in the preparation of field sessions on PRA, operation of PRA and report making.

iii) OJT in Monitoring and Implementation of the Project

With the aim to enhance the capacity of counterparts to implement a CB-NRM project in future, they have been involved in a) observation and assistance in the conducts of hands-on training courses in the micro programs, b) monitoring of the progress of the micro programs, and c) participation in monthly monitoring meetings to assist the village leaders in implementation of the village regulations.

(3) Output 3: Development of Policy Framework for Promotion of CB-NRM

i) Discussion of a Draft Framework of CB-NRM with the Working Team

The JICA and MAF Project Teams had the 4th meeting with the working group of NDF on January 25, 2013 to discuss the forest sector policy, forest management bill and proposed mechanism on CB-NRM on a village level. In the end, the members of the working team developed a draft framework of a mechanism to promote CB-NRM on a village level.

(4) Overall Project Management

i) Mid-term Review of the Project

A mid-term review of the Project was jointly conducted by MAF and JICA in February 2013 to come up with recommendations to MAF and JICA Project Teams to make the Project more sustainable.

ii) JCC Meetings

The JICA and MAF Project Teams assisted NDF in organization of the 3rd and 4th JCC meetings in October 2012 and March 2013, respectively. In the former meeting, the members approved the annual plan of operation of the Project for 2013, while the results of the mid-term review of the Project were the main topics discussed in the latter.