Community based reforestation and diversification of agricultural activities in Honduras
Case Study C0018
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | Comite de Emergencia Garifuna de Honduras |
| Donor/support agency | American Jewish World Service WITNESS, an NGO based in New York |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | indigenous territory |
| Geographic coverage | Honduras |
| Locality | Trujilo |
| Biodiversity focus | Species and Ecosystem |
| Development focus | Indigenous community of Garifuna |
| Conservation goals | Reforestation of streams and river banks, protection of ancestral lands of this marginalised ethnic group, protection of environment and biodiversity |
| Poverty reduction goals | To reduce poverty and malnutrition, to improve the economic situation of poor families living off subsistence agriculture and to empower these neglected communities |
Summary
Comite de Emergencia Garifuna de Honduras (Garifuna Emergency Committee of Honduras) is a non governmental organisation that works with indigenous Garifuna people in one of the poorest regions of Honduras. Its purpose is to reduce poverty and malnutrition, reforest the streams and river banks, protect the ancestral lands of this marginalised ethnic group, protect the environment and biodiversity and empower these neglected communities. To achieve these goals, it has initiated several projects linked to reforestation and agriculture diversification. It has initiated a plantation of wild vine, locally known as balaire, which is used for weaving instruments for traditional cooking. This is an integral part of Garifuna culture but over the years, with the rampant deforestation by non-Garifuna ranchers, loggers and others, there was no longer an adequate supply of this vine. The organisation taught the communities how to grow this vine using transplantation method. In another project, the organisation is working with high school students to reforest the beaches with wild fruit plants like sea grapes, almonds, camacamas, nance, cashew etc. These plants will not only help stabilise the beach against erosion but will also provide a more balanced nutrition for young people. In addition to these projects, the organisation has also started diversification of crops with fruit trees as well as plants like ginger; supports the rescue of the traditional root crops of Garifuna, like trao root, red grow yams, arrow root and sweet potato; trains farmers in organic composting and organic pesticides and provides tools to be lent out from the communal tool bank. The organisation has helped farmers to organise regular farmer markets to sell their produce in the towns. Greater diversity and better production have increased incomes to US$ 370 per village per month through sales of the agricultural products in farmers' markets. People have also been provided with machines that grind yucca. Then it can be easily processed in to casave bread and can be sold in to near by markets. A person can produce around 20 casaves from one sack of yucca and can earn $20. Young people who were trained in traditional artisan work by the organisation are able to earn about $30 a month selling their work. It had a positive impact on biodiversity of the area as well. With vine reforestation, forests are protected from the encroaching ranchers and loggers. 'Green areas' have been recreated which has helped communities protect their water sources. Reforestation of beaches will also show its impacts on biodiversity and in checking the beach erosion in due time.
Conservation impact
With vine reforestation, forests are protected from the encroaching ranchers and loggers. 'Green areas' have been recreated which has helped communities protect their water sources. Reforestation of beaches will also show its impacts on biodiversity and in checking the beach erosion in due time.
Poverty reduction impact
Greater diversity and better production of agricultural crops have increased incomes to US$ 370 per village per month through sales of the agricultural products in farmers' markets. People with the help of grinding machines are easily processing yuca in to casave bread and are earning $20 per yuca sac. Young people who were trained in traditional artisan work by the organisation are able to earn about $30 a month selling their work.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Provision of alternative livelihoods
More information
Suzanne Shende, Advisor and Martin Martinez, Coordinator / Comite de Emergencia Garifuna de Honduras / A.P. No. 67 / Trujillo, Colón / Honduras / tel/fax + (504) 434-4818 / afro@hondutel.hn