DAI Village Foresty Project

 

 


Partner - Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI)

Project Dates - 28 March 2005 – 28 February 2006

Location - Five Districts in Nangarhar Province

Poplars are fast-growing and suitability at early maturity for light construction in local villages as poles and braces.

IFHope's task is to establish and maintain a poplar plantation for employment and for profit in five villages. Establishing these plantations will provide employment for 4,460 man-days of paid local labor.  The sale of harvested trees will result in revenue of over $40,000 in four years - a return of over twice the budgeted project costs. 

The income from the sale of wood will fund other projects that address the needs of the district, including the specific needs of local women.  Furthermore the plantations will be located on land adjoining District Centers to serve as demonstration plots for high value agriculture to local villagers.

This project is designed to be small in size (one hectare total) yet with enough geographic spread (five districts) to serve as a test for the viability of projects on public land that benefit a community rather than a private individual.

Based on an ongoing evaluation, new projects may be developed.  Four questions will be answered as part of project evaluation. 

    • Will a publicly owned forest plantation be adequately maintained?
    • Will the trees be harvested at the agreed upon time after four years? 
    • Will the agreed upon plan be implemented by district officials to benefit the community?
    • Will project revenue be used to specifically address the needs of women?

Status:
Project scheduling including surveys and site selection, design and planting of forest plantations was completed in March of 2005.

Each village recieved 2,000 poplar tree cuttings for plantations covering approximately one jerib.   Additionally, IFHope has donated 20 shade trees in each of the five districts centers.  IFHope is providing inputs (cuttings, intercrop, and fertilizer), agricultural training, forest plantation-management guidance as well as employing village labor and providing maintenance incentives. 

Currently, IFHope is providing periodic follow-up of forestry management guidance. The trees in most fields have taken root, but replacement trees have been planted in several fields that had severe water shortage.