Milestone 1 - Inception Report | Mahlathini Development Foundation

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Acknowledgements

The USAIDResilient WatersProgram is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Developmentand

implemented by Chemonics International Inc. Fixed amount award No. RWP-G3-MDF is a sub-grant

implemented by Mahlathini Development Foundation.

2 Forresters Lane

Pietermaritzburg, 3201

KZN, South Africa

T (+27)828732289

W www.mahlathini.org

Company Reg. No. 2016/285787/08 (2016)

Non-profit org. Reg. No. 930051028 (2015)

DUNS No. 539162 399

Community based climate change adaptation for increased

water productivity and food security for improved rural

livelihoodsin the Lower Olifants basin

MILESTONE 1: Inception Report

31/01/2020

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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ABOUT THE PROJECT

Mahlatini Development Foundation (MDF) is a small public benefit non-profit organization consisting of

rural development practitioners who specialize in participatory learning and action processes, sustainable

natural resource management and low external input farming systems, including a focus on rain water

harvesting, conservation agriculture, intensive homestead food production, food security,climate change

adaptationmicro finance and enterprise development.

MDF designs and implements rural developmentprogrammes and training processes providing learning

processes for adults all the way from semi- literate farmers to post graduate university level. We work in

partnership with government and non-government organisations alike. We are sensitive to and mainstream

where possible gender, disability and people living with HIV/AIDs.

Climate variability and climate change (increased temperature, increased variability in rainfall patterns,

increased intensity of storms and increased drought) have far reaching effects on the lives and livelihoods

of the rural poor.Climate change poses a significant threat to South Africa’s water resources, food

security, health, infrastructure, ecosystem services and biodiversity.

This project intends to effect processes for community-based climate change adaptation (CB-CCA) for

improved livelihoods and resilience for project participants through introduction and implementation of

climate resilient agricultural (CRA) practices, building of social agency and stakeholderplatforms and

support for alternative income generation opportunities.

The Innovation Systems methodological approachfor this projectfocuses on local level learning groups

and individual and group experimentation to increase local capacity and agency in building systems for

food security and rural livelihoods.

As a first step, a village level assessment of climate change impacts and general natural resource use

patterns are done. Secondly, an analysis of adaptive strategies and associated practices provides the

platform for implementation of locally derived and prioritized activities and CSA practices. Thirdly, the

learning groups provide the organizational platforms for participatory research and monitoring, improved

governance and agency and collaborative actions around village level water resource management,

rainfed cropping systems, grazing management, village level savings and loan associations and farmer

centers for local input provision and marketing.

Research and development assistance’s key role will be to create and facilitate innovation platforms for

local action in an environment of increasingly fractured social structures, immense economic and survival

pressures, and where direct government support to rural dwellers has decreased dramatically over the last

decade.Use of the smallholder farmer level decision support system will ensure a locally motivated and

owned agenda for action, with potential for transformative adaptation that includes local stakeholders

and service providers in the Communities of Practice (CoPs).

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Contents

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary.......................................................................................................4

1.1 Progress for the reporting period.................................................................................4

2 Project Objectives........................................................................................................4

2.1 Overview of RW Community based CCA Project objectives...................................................4

2.2 Theory of change....................................................................................................4

3 Milestone Description.....................................................................................................9

3.1 Definition of milestone and purpose..............................................................................9

4 Project management plan.............................................................................................12

4.1 Detailed methodology for project implementation..........................................................12

5 Inception Meetings and activities update...........................................................................14

5.1 Inception meetings................................................................................................14

6 Monitoring,evaluation and learning (MEL) plan....................................................................17

6.1 Framework & indicators..........................................................................................17

6.1.1 Baselines.....................................................................................................................18

6.1.2 Ongoing monitoring........................................................................................................18

6.1.3 Evaluation...................................................................................................................18

7 Work Plan for Milestone 2.............................................................................................19

8 Appendices...............................................................................................................20

8.1 Appendix 1: Implementation timeline for RW Community based CCA 2020-2021.......................20

8.2 Appendix 2:Terms of references for an internship application............................................21

8.3Appendix 3: Bi-monthly assessment.............................................................................23

8.4 Appendix 4: Baseline monitoring form..........................................................................26

8.5 Appendix 5: Garden monitoring and individual experimentation plan....................................31

8.6 Appendix 6: PIA methodology and indicators..................................................................33

Appendix 7: Attendance registers....................................................................................43

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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1Executive Summary

1.1Progress for the reporting period

This inception report includes the finalised implementation plans, project management plans and MEL

framework, as well as a brief reporting on inception meetings and processes held.

PARTICIPANTS THIS PERIOD

MAHLATHINI: Erna Kruger, Betty Maimela,Sylvester Selala, Constance Rasweswe(Intern)

CHEMONICS: Sitha Mvumvu, Mayford Manika, Lindela Mketeni and Steve Collins.

2Project Objectives

2.1Overview of RW Community based CCA Project

objectives

GOAL: Increased adaptive capacity and resilience to the impacts of climate change for poor, rural

households involved in agriculture.

This goal is aimed specifically at Objectives 3 and 4 as set out in the 2019 Resilient Waters Program APS:

ØObjective 3:Strengthened ability of communities and key institutions to adapt to change,

particularly the impacts of climate change; and

ØObjective 4: Conserved biodiversity and ecosystem services.

OBJECTIVES:

ØReduced vulnerability to climate change by supporting and strengthening collective action,

informed adaptation strategies and practices and tenable institutional arrangements at a local

level, including all relevant service providers and sectors.

ØIncreased sustainability and efficiency of CSA systems in the study areas giving specific

attention to the value chain, using an IS approach

ØAdaptation and scaling out of sustainable CSA systems in selected areasusing livelihoods and

environmental criteria and

ØBuilding and strengthening of different innovation platforms and networks for financing,

awareness and implementation of community level Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)."

2.2Theory of change

The Theory of Change captures the key pathways to the intended outcomes and provides and overview of

proposed indicators and targets. Below is a table outlining the theory of change for the process for 2020-

2021

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Objectives

Key

activities/

tasks

Activities

Outputs/milestones

Outcomes/

deliverables

Verifiable

indicators

Performance

indicators

Targets

Reduced

vulnerability to

climate change

by supporting

and

strengthening

collective action,

informed

adaptation

strategies and

practices and

tenable

institutional

arrangements at

a local level.

Visioning

and

decision

support

Initial introductions,

baseline information,

climate change impact

mapping, adaptive

strategies

Community

participation

profiles. Baselines

for all participating

households.

Community level

analysis and

increased

understanding of

climate change,

Initial adaptive

strategies decided

upon. Linkages with

local stakeholders

Baseline

reports for

new village/s

RR3.1

Improved

decision

making

grounded in

the best

available

science. RR

4.1: Improved

management

practices that

mitigate

threats to

biodiversity

3 days/village x

9 villages (Ga

Mametja and Ga

Mamathlola)

~240

participants (Yr.

1); 3

days/village x 5

villages (Ga-

Sekororo and

Ga-Nkawna)

`130

participants (Yr.

CCA

action

plans

Set up learning

groups, meet with

local structures and

stakeholders, Identify

potential local

facilitators, CCA

prioritization and

initial action planning

Learning groups and

local facilitators/

champions

identified,

functioning and

agency developed

Learning groups

(CoPs) set up;

action planning

CoP reports

9 learning

groups, 4 CC

champions/LFs

(Yr. 1); 5

learning groups,

2 CC

champions/LFs

(Yr. 2)

2 days /village

x7-9 villages

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Increased

sustainability and

efficiency of CSA

systems in the

study areas

giving specific

attention to the

value chain,

using an IS

approach

Learning

and

mentoring

Learning group and

Local facilitator (LF)

learning and

mentoring: 5 x 1day

practical homestead

based learning

sessions (in soil and

water conservation,

intensive homestead

food production,

conservation

agriculture and

livestock integration)

for each of 9-12

learning groups.

Provision of technical

and limited

infrastructural support

and incentives for

these activities.

Participatory action

planning for each

Innovation Platform/

CoP - including

learning and

demonstration

workshops and

farmer

experimentation

protocols

Capacity building

for learning groups

and LFs; incl

savings, group

activities,

community

awareness,

Progress

reports

RR3.2

Improved

water

conservation

and water

demand

management

that responds

to CC RR4.1

Improved

management

practices that

mitigate

threats to

biodiversity

RR4.4

Increased

benefits to

target

populations

from

biodiversity

~200

participants; 5

days per village

x 9-12villages

Learning

and

mentoring

Set up Village Savings

and Loan Associations

(VSLAs) and provide

mentoring, design

saving mechanisms for

learning groups,

initiate farmer

centres, provide

business development

learning

Training outlines,

handouts, materials

and reports (3grps x3

trainings

Improved,

diversified

production. Soil

and water

conservation

practices

implemented.

Training

reports.

Gardening

monitoring

reports.

Attendance

registers.

Draft

learning

manual

45% of

participants

implement at

least 1 CC

adaptation

response, 35%

implement 2-3

responses and 5-

10% implement

>3.Draft and

Final learning

manual (April and

September2020)

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Monitoring

Participatory design

and implementation of

experimentation and

monitoring processes;

monitoring by field

staff, local facilitators

and farmers will be

undertaken

Monitoring of

implementation of

best practices at

household level.

Identification and

awareness raising

around local and

new best practice

options (at least 2

identified and

introduced)

Informed

adaptation

strategies and

practices at

household level

Monitoring

reports, case

studies

Monitoring for

7-9 villages

(~120

participants Yr.

1, ~80

participants Yr.

2). 3- 5 Case

studies

developed

Adaptation and

scaling out of

sustainable CSA

systems in

selected areas

using livelihoods

and

environmental

criteria

Reviews

and

networkin

CoP, networking and

stakeholder meetings;

to review

implementation and

impacts, to broker

relationships with

government, policy

and research

institutions and to

upscale

implementation into

local, regional and

national agendas.

Seasonal review and

planning sessions.

Open day

programmes and

events. Cross visits

between learning

groups and linking to

and taking part in

other stakeholder

networking activities

Increased

awareness and

community level

organisation;

collective action

Seasonal

review and

planning

reports (x7).

Open days,

cross visit

and

networking

reports (x3)

RR 1.2

Strengthened

institutional

arrangements

at a variety

of scales

which

enhance

collaborative

resource

management

RR3.3

Increased

climate

4 CC w/s

impact

summaries/

year. 65% of

participants

show increased

knowledge and

response

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Building and

strengthening of

different

innovation

platforms and

networks for

financing,

awareness and

implementation

of community

level Climate

Change

Adaptation

(CCA).

Reviews

and

networkin

Collaborative

processes with local

and regional role

players including

AWARD, the

Agroecology Network,

K2C, Hoedspruit Hub

and Limpopo dept of

Agriculture and local

municipalities

Special networking

events for

collaborative

activities around

resource

conservation and

livelihoods

diversification

Increased

collaborative

capacity and

agency in CCA

1-2 special

networking

events/

processes per

year;

including

symposiums

and

conferences.

resilience for

targeted

populations

RR4.3

Improved

ecological

integrity and

resilience to

climate

change

~200

participants and

3-4 institutions

collaborate in

strengthening

collaborative

capacity in CCA

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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3Milestone Description

3.1Definition of milestone and purpose

Milestone descriptions have been developed forthe RW CB-CCA project for the period starting January

2020and endingNovember 2021.The table below summarises these activities against the milestones and

indicates due dates of these milestones, as well as the RW budget components.

Table 1: Mahlathini Development Foundation Milestone Schedule: January 2020-November 2021

Payment

No.

Milestone

Title

Milestone Verification

Target Due

Date

Milestone

Payment

Inception

Report

Inception Report that will include the following:

i.Project management plan showing the staff

complement.

ii.Discussions/ resolutions from inception meetings/

workshops.

iii.Detailed approach methodology for project

implementation.

iv.Revised and updated project implementation plan

with timelines.

v.MEL Targets set.

Annexes:

i.Attendance registers

ii.Photographsfrom inception meetings with

identified stakeholders

31 January

2020

R 99876,38

Visioning and

Decision

Support (I)

Progress report

The grantee will submit to Chemonics a Visioning and Decision

Support report detailing the following:

i.Number of participants engagedin the initial

meetings in Ga Mametja and Ga Mamathlola

ii.Baseline Informationfrom participants

iii.Climate change mapshowing the impact within

the communities.

iv.Climate Change Adaptive strategies.

Annexes:

i.Attendance Registersform initial meetings with

participants

ii.Photographsfrom initial meetings with

participants

iii.

The grantee will also submit a progress report outlining progress

in all main activities undertaken in the time period; 20

December- 30 April, (including action plans, learning and

mentoring, monitoring, reviews and networking)

30 April

2020

R 343406,00

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Climate

Change

Adaptation

Action Plans

(I)

Progress report

The grantee will submit to Chemonics a Climate Change

Adaptation report detailing the following:

i.Number oflearning groups formed(at least 9)

ii.Local structures and stakeholders engaged.

iii.Profiles of the 5 local facilitators / climate change

champions engaged.

iv.Climate Change Adaptation Action Plans

Annexes:

i.Attendance registersfrom meetings with local

stakeholders

ii.Photographsfrom meetings with local

stakeholders

The grantee will also submit a progress report outlining progress

in all main activities undertaken in the time period; 1stMay – 30th

July (including action plans, learning and mentoring, monitoring,

reviews and networking)

6 August

2020

R 264029,00

Learning and

Mentoring;

Monitoring(I)

The grantee will submit toChemonics a Learning andMentoring

report detailing thefollowing:

i. Number Learninggroup and Localfacilitator (LF)

training and

mentoring (in soiland waterconservation,intensive

homestead

food production,conservationagriculture andlivestock

integration) witheach of the learninggroups.

ii. Number anddemographics ofpeople trained

iii. Demonstrate howthe training benefits the Resilient

WatersProgram.

iv. Number of VillageSavings and LoanAssociations

(VSLAs) formed

v. The type of savingmechanismsinitiated in the

communities

vi. Number of farmercentres initiated,

vii. Number of Businessdevelopmentprovided and

details

on whichorganization thiswas provided to.

Annexes:

i. Attendance registersfrom the trainingconducted.

ii. Photographs fromthe trainingconducted.

The grantee will also submit toChemonics a report onmonitoring

detailing thefollowing:

i. Initiatives designed.

ii. ExperimentationImplemented.

iii. Progress of theexperimentation.

iv. Communityresponse from theawarenesscampaigns

around

local and new bestpractice options (atleast 2 identified

and introduced).

November

2020

R 353507,00

Reviews and

networking (1);

Progress report

The grantee will submit to Chemonics a Review and Networking

report detailing the following:

i.Type of Communities of Practiceformed.

ii.Progress in implementation and impact effected

iii.Synergies and relationships formed with

institutions.

iv.Collaboration between local and regional players

The grantee will also submit a progress report outlining progress

in all main activities undertaken in the time period; 1stAugust

2020– 30thMarch 2021(including visioning and decisions

support, action plans, learning and mentoring and monitoring)

Annexes:

i.Attendance registersfrom community of practice

meetings

7 April

2021

R 413638,36

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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ii.Photographsfrom community of practice meetings

Climate

Change

Adaptation

Action Plans

(II);

Progress report

The grantee will submit toChemonics the followingreports:

A. Visioning and DecisionSupport Report

i. Number ofparticipants engagedin the initial

introductions with

the 150 participantsfrom the 5 villagesin Ga-Sekororo

andGa-Nkawna

ii BaselineInformation.

iii. Climate changemap.

iv. Climate ChangeAdaptive strategies.

B. Climate Change AdaptationPlans detailing the following:

i. Number of climatechange learninggroups formed

ii. Local structures andstakeholdersengaged.

iii. Profiles of the two(2) local facilitatorsengaged.

iv. Climate ChangeAdaptation ActionPlans

30 June

2021

R 373 796,20

Learning and

Mentoring (II),

Monitoring

(11)

The grantee will submit toChemonics a Learning andMentoring

report detailing thefollowing:

i. Number Learninggroup and Localfacilitator (LF)

training and

mentoring (in soiland waterconservation,intensive

homestead

food production,conservationagriculture andlivestock

integration) for eachof the learninggroups.

ii. Number anddemographics ofpeople trained

iii. Demonstrate howthe training benefitsthe Resilient

Waters

Program.

iv. Number of VillageSavings and LoanAssociations

(VSLAs) formed

v. The type of savingmechanismsinitiated in the

communities

vi. Number of farmercentres initiated,

vii. Number of Businessdevelopmentprovided and

detailson whichorganization thiswas provided to.

The grantee will also submit toChemonics a final report on

Monitoring detailing thefollowing:

i. Initiatives designed.

ii. ExperimentationImplemented.

iii. Progress of theexperimentation.

iv. Communityresponse from theawareness campaign

initiated.

Annexes:

i. Attendance registersfrom the trainingconducted.

ii. Photographs fromthe trainingconducted.

September

2021

R 287417,80

Reviews and

networking;

Close-Out

report

The grantee will submit to Chemonics a Review and Networking

report detailing the following:

i.Type of climate change community of practice

formed.

ii.Progress in implementation and impact effected

iii.Synergies and relationships formed with

institutions.

iv.Collaboration between local and regional players

Annexes:

i.Attendance registersfrom community of practice

meetings

ii.Photographsfrom community of practice meetings

The grantee will also submit to Chemonics a final close out report

detailing the project activities with results achieved and lessons

learned

November

2021

R 243438,53

Total

R 2272110,27

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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4Project management plan

The Mahlathini Development Foundation field team is to consist of two locally based field staff members;

Betty Maimela(junior fieldworker and researcher) and an intern to assist her.The position of intern has

been advertised through MDF’s network and a selection of universities and was placed on the online

Linked-In professional advertisement dashboard. An appointment is to be made in February after

finalisation of interviews.See Appendix 2 for an outlineof the Internship advertisement.

An intern, Constance Rasweswe was brought on board, but only informed MDF that she is registered for a

full time PhD at UKZN in her first week of work. Her contract has been terminated and a second

interviewing process is to be put in place during February 2020. Sylvester Selala, previously employed as a

fieldworker for AgriSI (USAID), isemployed on a short-term contract to provide support for the Climate

Change workshops and introductory processes in new villages (Jan-Feb 2020).

In addition, Sylvester Nzimande, a Permaculture trainer, previously employed at Food and trees for Africa

and now residing in Acornhoek was interviewed. He will be providing gardening training support on a short

-term contractual basis.

Support staff are to be drawn in depending on the planned activities. Broadly, responsibilities are as

follows:

Mazwi Dlamini; To provide training and implementation support in aspects of livestock integration

and conservation agriculture experimentation

Temakholo Mathebula and Nqe Dlamini; to design and implement the microfinance options of the

intervention, including a baseline of savings, loan and insurance options for learninggroup

members, as well as the state of small business development and activity, to design and informed

process of implementation for village savings and loan associations linked to small business

development training and mentoring

Erna Kruger is to provide overall project management support and will visit the areaon a 6 weekly to bi-

monthly basis.

Implementation planning is to coincide with the milestones and a project implementation committee

consisting of all field based and management staff will meet at the end of each milestone (bi-monthly) to

do a review and planning session, work on progress towards indicatorsandcompilation of monitoring

report and progress reports.

Bi-monthly reports will be compiled by the field team (Betty, Erna, intern) using the Bi monthly

Assessment Form (See Appendix 3). Progress reports according to the 7 Milestones developed are to be

submitted as well. Additional documentation is to include the following where appropriate:

•Baselines; group and individual/homestead(Appendix 4)

•Bi -monthly planning calendars and activity plans

•Bi-monthly team review summaries (field and management team)

•Garden monitoring forms (local facilitators and field team)(See Appendix 5)

•Farmers self-assessment group process (2x/yr) (farmers, local facilitators, field team)

•Open days

4.1Detailed methodology for project implementation

MILESTONE1: INCEPTION REPORT

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•In each of the 5villages where learning groups have been established to date (Mametja, Sedawa,

Turkey, Willowsand Lepelle), continue the learning and mentoring process according to review

and planning for each group.

•Establish groups in 3-4 new villages(Mahlakung/Madeira, Worcester, Loraine) through introductory

meetings at community level and facilitation of the CCA workshops (2-3 days), followed by setting

up of learning groups for learning and implementation. Undertake baselines and initial farm

monitoring

•Set up anrun a learning process for each village according to their prioritised adaptive measures.

This will include 3 days of training in soil and water conservation, gardening techniques (soil

management), conservation agricultureand nutrition and diversification as well as new topics

identified by the respective groups such as poultry production, planting calendars and seed saving.

•Implement farmer level experimentation processes for chosen climate resilient agriculture (CRA)

practices and pilot any collaborative activities, pilot activities and demonstrations (e.g. joint

marketing options, group experimentation with shade cloth tunnels, erosion control and soil and

water conservation (SWC),village level savings and loan associations (VSLAs), water committees

and other activities planned by the groups (1-2 days/month/learning group)

•Conduct regular monitoring and mentoring processes for each learning group (1 day/month/group)

•Conduct seasonal and yearly review sessions with the learning group clusters for a review of

implementation and planning of future activities and also for participatory assessment of impact

and improved resilience (Minimum 3 sessions per year)

•For each learning group undertake:

1.A deepening of the climate change dialogues process to include assessment of practices

for impact on adaptation and resilience

2.In-depth qualitative and quantitative measurement of results of practices implemented

for assessment of impact and

3.Discussions and mentoring centredaround livelihoods diversification options for learning

group members.

•Participants undertake:

1.Individual farmer level experimentation processes

2.To work together on joint activities identified by the group for broader scale

rehabilitation and SWC

3.Technical innovation demonstrations at collaboratively chosen homesteads such as rain

water harvesting and storage structures, small green houses and micro drip irrigation

systems

4.Monitoring sessions to check how the implementation is going, from time to time

5.Cross visits to other villages doing similar work

6.Open days and stakeholder involvement of for exampleHlokomela, K2C, Hoedspruit Hub,

the Agroecology network, the Local municipalities, etc to engage in the CC adaptation

processes the participants are working with.

•Local facilitators support learning groups by doing garden visits and support for each participant

every month, to help with implementation of farmer experiments and also do garden level

monitoring. They provide a link between MDFandthecommunity and assist with setting up

meetings and processes, arrange for joint working activities, help to identify the sites for

technical innovation demonstrations, provide logistical support and also provide a channel for

feedback from the community regarding process and implementation. They work 8-10 days per

month and receive a stipend of R200/day. Local facilitators will also come together for further

learning and monitoring sessions between themselves and be provided with opportunities for

deepening their own practice through cross visitsand learning sessions.

The Implementation timeline outlining the implementation plan is attached in Appendix 1

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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5Inception Meetings and activities

update

5.1Inception meetings

The following meetings have been held:(Attendance registers are attached in Appendix 7)

1.K2C (Kruger to Canyons): DATEJanuary 2020: ATTENDANCE: Cindy Koen, Hope Morema, Erna

Kruger, Betty Maimela: K2C are involved in initiatives to support food security(Phiring, (5 day

organic productiontraining at Hoedspruit Hub, followed by mentoring support from K2C

facilitators) and exploration of a number of local and alternative marketing options for

smallholder farmers that include:

a.“Money for Jam”: which is a cell phone-based platform for advertising and buying organic

produce set up by Steve,based in Johannesburgand is the model K2C will use for their

marketing platform.K2C are in the process of setting up a database and registration of

organic farmers – on the understanding that this may take a while, as farmers will need to

increase and improve their production and undergo the PGS (Participatory guarantee

system) certification overseen by SAOSO.

b.Farmers’ markets; there is a monthly farmers market in Hoedspruit on the first Saturday

of each month and a weekly “Wellness Wednesday” market at the Hlokomela Herb garden

centre where K2C has a stall for farmers’ produce. Farmers supported by MDF in Mametja

have been attending these markets under the K2C banner, an arrangement set up through

the organisations’ field workers, which is beneficial for the smallholders. This

arrangement has now been agreed to by K2C management, as farmers under their banner

are not yet at a stage where they can regularly offer produce for sale.

Figure 1: Above left; farmers from our programme selling produced alongside K2C in their Hoedspruit Farmers’

market stall. Above right: Christina Thobejane (Sedawa LF) and Mashego Shaai (Turkey 2), at our stall at the

Hlokomela Wellness Wednesday, a weekly market held on the Hlokomela premises.

c.“From the region for the region” is a new and ambitious process coordinated by K2C for

sale of organic produce in the region, focussing also on the tourism industry. This process

is in its’ initial stages.

It was agreed that communication would be ongoing and that closer collaboration could be sought at

a later stage, depending on the progress made in their projects.

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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2.AWARD: DATE: 2020/01/24. ATTENDANCE: Erna Kruger, Derick du Toit, Betty Maimela. AWARD is

presently involved in strengthening local networking and stakeholder engagement in Agroecology

and CCAthrough a process funded by DKA (German catholic Church). They are also involved in a

youth capacity development initiative under the same banner of increasing capacity and social

agency in the region.A list of action items for collaboration between MDF and AWARD was

compiled for this meeting:

a.Planning meeting on the24thFebruary at AWARD. Maria, from DKA to be hosted jointly 25-

26 Feb (report back and field trip) – Tuesday- Wednesday

b.25th for PGS Orientation meeting: For the whole cluster. An agenda will be organised

closer to the time and will marketing options for vegetables, herbs and mangoes, as well

as an input on microfinance support and small business development (Nqe Dlamini/ Tema

Mathebula).

c.Meeting with the Municipal Manager (Thabo ?, with MDF, BB and Derick) regarding Halls,

JoJo tanks, development of an MoU in DRR and CCA and CRA; February 27th Thursday

d.Meeting with Hlokomela to negotiate expansion of smallholder sales. Gavin TeBrake from

Hlokomela has indicated a willingness to include herbs form smallholders in his marketing

arrangements and has already assisted with packaging and sale of rocket and parsley.

e.PGS training: Orientation, training, dry-run evaluation… 4months: Orientation can include

introduction into organic production and marketing and small business linked into Organic

production and five fingers.

f.CIRAD: A group run by Stephano Feralfi– working with economics and agriculture

(Behavioural economist). Worked at UP and FAO. He has an opportunity to do some work

on smallholder farming answering the question: “How do we make decisions on our

farming focus”. ‘What influences their decisions” What underpins these decisions”. He

wants to help us structure a process and do a survey with some of the farmers… 2ndto 5th

of March. BB will be working with them and take them to Sekhukhune as well

g.We would like to set up a training run by an Ukuvuna project participant, Anna on local

seedbanks and seed saving for our participants. These are for traditional and OPV

varieties that do not have intellectual property or licencing implications.

3.A SPRING OFHOPE: DATE:2020/01/21. ATTENDANCE Erna Kruger, Trygive Nxumalo and Christina

Thobejane (Local Facilitator for Sedawa). This meeting revolved around the potential of A Spring

of Hope to provide financial assistance and implementationsupport to the water committees in

Sedawa, Mametja and Turkey. Mr Nxumalo felt that there was a strong possibility of such support,

given the historic connection between these organisations and his previous involvement with the

learning groups and also because the smallholdersare well organised and actively producing. He

urged the groups to ensure that they have traditional authority approval and documentation for

the land where boreholes would be drilled and suggested MDF and the groups make a formal

application to his director, Joanne Taylor. This will be done without delay.

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Figure 2:Trygive Nxumalo from A

Spring of Hope (in the centre with light

blue clothing), hosting the farmer

participants from the FMSS workshop

at their centre and garden.

4.M-PAK (Messina Verpakking EDMS Bpk): DATE: 2020/01/22 ATTENDANCE: Erna Kruger, Flip, Benjie

and Carina Nel. This meeting was held to finalise an agreement for supply of mangoes from the

RW project participant farmers to M-Pak for drying purposes. M-Pak has agreed to accept small

quantities of mangoes from these farmers at any time – and to pay R4.20/kg for this produce, as

long as the fruit fulfils their specifications. They are confident that the smallholders can increase

their supply over time to the required amounts and see this as a long term, developmental

relationship. They have offered to assist in sourcing better varieties for the smallholders and also

to work with MDF on join funding options for developing a robust smallholder supply and

marketing initiative. They are also interested in exploring the organic mango market and prepared

to consider organic certification for the packhouse, if supply can be increased and guaranteed.

Betty Maimela and 5 of the smallholder farmers, who are presently able to supply mangoes for

drying, are to visit the facility in the coming week, to arrange for the initial delivery process and

marketing arrangements.Workshops are to be held in Lepelle, Turkey, Sedawa, Mametja, Willows

and Finale to discuss expansion of production as well as specifications regarding fruit type, size

and quality.

Figure 3: Above left; Carina Nel, providing a tour of the facility to Erna Kruger, Above centre; Making of fruit rolls

and drying mangoes and Above right; Betty discussions and showing samples, of mangoes for drying, as well as

expansion of production. Participants made orders for Tommy Atkins, Keitt and Kent varieties.

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5.Farmer Manged Seed Systems in Limpopo: A three day workshop (20-22 January 2020),organised

jointly by ACB (African Centre for Biodiversity), AWARD and MDF was held for farmer at WITS Rural

Facility close toAcornhoek. 4 Farmers from our programme attendedthe workshop and also

displayed their saved seed alongside those of other farmers. A work group has been appointed to

put together a policy document around developing an enabling environment for farmer managed

seed systems, which is to be presented to anddiscussed with the Department of Agriculture,

among other stakeholders.

Figure 4: Above left; participants at the FMSS in Limpopo workshop at WITs Rural Facility. Above right; an example

of a seed display put together by smallholder farmers for the workshop

6Monitoring,evaluationandlearning

(MEL) plan

6.1Framework & indicators

(See Theory of Change above for targets and overall indicators)

In addition, regular (bi-monthly) summaries of progress using the following indicators will be made.

Indicator

Overall target

No of participants in learning groups

370

No of learning groups

9-12

-No of local facilitators

Percentage of participants engaged in CC adaptation responses

1-2 (45%)

2-3 (25%)

>3 (10-15%)

No of participants experimenting with new innovations

-local

-co-designed

15%

45%

No of participants showing increased knowledge

35%

Percentage of participants engaged in collaborative activities

35%

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Percentage of participants with improved livelihoods

-increased availability of food

-increased income

-increased diversity of activities and livelihoods options

40%

Qualitative assessments;

-stakeholder engagement

-Increased understanding and agency to act towards increased

resilience

- Adaptation and innovations into local context

-Potential for increased resilience

-Social engagement

Stories, case studies (5-6),

CC impact summaries (4),

best practices booklet

The Bi-monthly summary form, with qualitative indicators and life change questions are shown in

Appendix 3.

6.1.1Baselines

Baselines are constructed using a number of different processes:

- The CCA workshops; where participants talk to the impacts of CC on their environment and

livelihoods, their past and present farming activities and projections for the future

- Baseline interviews: (Baseline monitoringform – Appendix 4) that gives an indication of their

present situation and implementation (This is not a full livelihoods questionnaire, but includes

some aspects of livelihoods).

- Facilitator observation checklists: Interviewers/ facilitators assist the household participant to

draw a homestead land use plan with present practises and flag issues and potential innovations

(what they are thinking of doing now) for the household. In addition, they make certain

observations that are needed for the overall planning processes

6.1.2 Ongoing monitoring

- Garden monitoring form (Monthly):(See Appendix 5):To be filled in for each participant at

least once in a planting season (4months) and at least twice per annum, by and with the local

facilitators to assess CC adaptation and gardening implementation. Thesearecompiled with

photographs of the garden intoa narrative progress report and into excel sheets for quantitative

indicators.

- Stories or case studies: Within the themes of managing adaptively, thinking systemically,

innovation towards positive change, self -organisation leading to collective action and learning

together. These are to be used in progress reports, but also towards further media and

communications.

- Group reflections and open days: Using the CC assessments and plans review progress and also

level of change and impact- incorporating defined indicators

- Team reflections (bi-monthly):Reflection on CC adaptation using indicators alongside general

progress, issues, learning and planning. (project implementation committee – Appendix 3.

6.1.3 Evaluation

- Progress reports (x6) and final report - based on project deliverables and milestones.

- Participatory Impact assessments and snapshots are to be compiled towards the ned of the project

timeframe for individuals across learning groups and the learning group clusters. (See Appendix 6

for outlines of the PIA methodology and indicators

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Upon close out a final close out report stating zero continued financial responsibility from USAID will be

written

7Work Plan for Milestone 2

Below a very brief work plan is presented in the form of a list, to give an indication of the activity focus

areas for the coming reporting period of February-April 2020.

1.CCA introduction workshops for three new villages (Worcester, Madeira and Lorraine), along with

baseline interviews and compilation of a baseline report

2.Development of CCA strategies for new groups andconsolidation of reviews and action plans for

existing groups

3.Recap of agroecology/permaculture training workshops for existing groups and start on training for

new groups

4.Continue and finalise an order list for new mango varieties for participants to be involved in organic

marketing and drying

5.Continue with organic marketing initiative with existing groups; Hlokomela Wellness Wednesday and

monthly farmers’ market as well as ad hoc orders from restaurants such as Amigos and Hat and Creek.

6.Set up a PGS workshop for the learning group cluster and other stakeholders; to include also an input

on marketing for vegetables, herbs and mangoes and microfinance and small business development

options (end February)

7.Meetings with DKA, CIRAD and the Maruleng Municipality, to effect various outcomes in networking,

stakeholder engagement and indicator development

8.Continue with water committees in Sedawa and Turkey to finalise their borehole projects and water

access arrangements for agricultural production.

9.Involve A Spring of Hope in further support to learning groups to increase their access to agricultural

water supply options.

10.Employ and induct a new intern to support the process.

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8Appendices

8.1Appendix 1: Implementation timeline for RW Community based CCA 2020-2021

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

Objectives MaintasksJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun JulAugSep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun JulAug Sep Oct Nov

Inception report

Visioning and decision

support

CCA action plans

Learning and

mentoring

Monitoring

Adaptation and scaling out of

sustainable CSA systems in selected

areas using livelihoods and

environmental criteria

Reviews and

networking; CoPs and

learning groups

Networki

session

Learning

group

reviews

Networki

session

Networkin

g session

Networki

session

Buildingand strengthening of

different innovation platforms and

networks for financing, awareness

and implementation of community

level ClimateChange Adaptation

(CCA).

Reviews and

networking;

Stakeholder

involvement,

collaboration

Theme:

Best

practices

in CCA

Theme:

Water

managem

entand

allocatio

Theme:

Livelihoo

diversific

ation

theme:

Climate

change

resilience

and

biodiversi

2020

2021

Intensivehousehold food production,soil

and water conservation,natural resource

management, water useefficiency;

marketing

Learninggroup

reviews,resilience

snapshots

Learninggroup

reviews,snapshots

Learninggroup

reviews,snapshots

Reduced vulnerability to climate

change by supporting and

strengthening collective action,

informedadaptation strategies and

practices and tenable institutional

arrangements at a local level.

Increased sustainability and efficiency

of CSA systems in the study areas

giving specific attention to the value

chain, using an IS approach

Intensivehousehold food production,Soil and water conservation, natural

resource management, water useefficiency, marketing

Conservation Agriculture,livestock

integration, waterproductivity

Conservation Agriculture,

livestock integration,water

productivity

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8.2Appendix 2:

Terms of Reference for an INTERNSHIP position in Community level Climate

Change Adaptation

Description: Full time; 1 yearinternship-Field assistant and junior researcher to support the

Conservation Agriculture and Climate Resilient Agriculture participatory research

processes within Mahlathini Development Foundation

An internship position is being offered by Mahlathini Development Foundation, based in

Pietermaritzburg and working in rural communities in both KZN and Limpopo.

This position is for an entry level professional in the agricultural and environmental development

field and for someone with an interest in Climate Change and how smallholder farmers can best

adapt and mitigate the increasingly devastating effects of this change on the rural poor.

Qualifications/Requirements

- Degree or post graduate qualification in a relevant field (agriculture, environment, food security;

community development)

- Drivers licence and some experience in driving

- Fluency in siPedi and/or isiZulu and English- both written and spoken

- Computer literacy; using common programmes within the Microsoft Office suite

- Ability to work independently

- Willingness to travel and spend time in smallholder communities and villages

- Interest in Agroecology and Climate Smart Agriculture

Description

The intern will assist the Mahlathiniteam with field-based activities and data collection and analysis

with smallholder farmers and gardeners including;

- Monitoring of farming activities and farmer level trials

- Management of soil fertility and soil health sampling and analysis

- Management of soil water measurements and processes, including run-off, infiltration, bulk density,

gravimetric water sampling, water sensors and weather stations

- Support organisation and running of training workshops

- Working closely with local facilitators in the villages

- Recording, translation and analysis of monitoring data

- Logistical support for field events

- Contribute to timeous report writing

In addition, the incumbent will be expected to have their own laptop and bea competent driver, or

be prepared to use local transport options if they do not.

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Remuneration

Negotiable based on qualifications and experience

Contact

Please send a CV and motivation letter to the following email address before or on Monday 18thof

November 2019

info@mahlathini.org

Contact person: Erna Kruger: Cell 0828732289

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8.3Appendix 3: Bi-monthly assessment

Contributing to:

•Objective 3: Strengthened Ability of Communities and Key Institutions to Adapt to Change,

Particularly the Impacts of Climate Change (RR3.1, RR3.2and RR 3.3)

•Objective 4: Conserved Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (RR4.1 .RR 4.3and RR4.4)

The process of intervention with farmer participants will follow the chronology outlined below:

•Understanding current practices

•Develop a vision of what could be

•Discuss innovations and agree to try; sometimes with collaborative work

•Develop a farm design and plan that includes experimentation with new ideas

•Ongoing mentoring of implementation and experimentation

•Periodic cluster sessions

•Periodic monitoring and self-assessment

•And networking and cross visits (1 of each per year)

A.On a bi-monthly basis photographs from all field staff is to be given captions and compiled

in one directory to be placed on drop box.

B.Regular (bi-monthly) summaries of progress using the following indicators will be made:

Indicator

Overall target

No of participants in learning groups

240

No of learning groups

9-12

No of local facilitators

Percentage of participants engaged in CC adaptation responses

1-2 (45%)

2-3 (25%)

>3 (10-15%)

No of participants experimenting with new innovations

-local

-co-designed

15%

45%

No of participants showing increased knowledge

35%

Percentage of participants engaged in collaborative activities

35%

Percentage of participants with improved livelihoods

-increased availability of food

-increased income

-increased diversity of activities and livelihoods options

40%

Qualitativeassessments;

-stakeholder engagement

-Increased understanding and agency to act towards increased

resilience

- Adaptation and innovations into local context

-Potential for increased resilience

-Social engagement

Stories, case studies (6), CC

impact summaries (4), best

practices booklet

C.And there are more qualitative questions to consider that can draw out change in various

domains through systemic reflectionand which will be captured in the form below.

BI-MONTLHY FORM…………………………..Date…………………………………Project……………………………………

Each team member who has been part of interventions at community level in the time frameadd their

figures and perspectives to come up with a corroborated summary figure for the month.

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Indicator

No of participants in

learning groups

As per registers (with Erna and Sylvester)

No of learning groups

As per registers

No of local facilitators

Percentage of participants

engaged in CC adaptation

responses

1-2 ( %) See below

2-3 ( %)

>3 ( %)

No of participants

experimenting with new

innovations

-local

-co-designed

Dependant on observations from HH interviews which have not

yet taken place.

No of participants showing

increased knowledge

Percentage of participants

engaged in collaborative

activities

Percentage of participants

with improved livelihoods

-increased availability of

food

-increased income

-increased diversity of

activities andlivelihoods

options

Examples of local

adaptations and innovations

that have come to the fore

(Describe what it is who is

doing it and where- with an

idea of where it has come

from and what the intention

of the innovation/adaptation

is)

Understanding: Examples of

people showing an increased

understanding (i) of CCA

adaptation and increased

agency (ii) towards

increasing their resilience

Actions:

Examples of people showing

an increased understanding

(i) of CCA adaptation and

increased agency (ii)

towards increasing their

resilience

Examples of increased

potential towards resilience

*For the examples the person’s name and surname and village needs to be given

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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1.Project Life Change Questions:

1.Do we have examples or stories of how we or others are in the process of adaptive management

related to CC? (adapt, reflect and respond to….) and examples of what this adaptive management

is?

2.Do we have stories that show innovation or lack of innovation towards positive change? What

insights have we gained into how innovation can lead to positive change?(INCREASED RESILIENCE)

3.Do we have stories that show evidence of, or an interest in self organisation towards collective

action? What insights have we gained into how self organisation can lead to collective action?

4.Do we have stories to show that learning together is happening or that there is an interest in

learning together? What insights have we gained about how to learn together?

5.Do we have stories of how we and or others are able to be inclusive and democratic? What insights

have we gained about how this can be achieved? (STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT).

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8.4Appendix 4: Baseline monitoring form

Date

Area

Village

GPS

Surname

First

name

Cell no

ID number

Gender

♀"#

♂%&

Household

head (Y/N)

Education

Members of Social

organisation/s

(describe) e.g.

savings group,

learning group…)

No of Adults in hh

No of children

Income sources

(grants,

employment,

remittances, other

– specify)

Level of

income –

(monthly

hh)

Type of grant (s) -

add in no

Child Support Old Age Foster care

Scale of operation

0,1-1ha

1-2 ha

>2ha

Farming activities

Garden (size)

Fields (size)

Livestock (No)

Cattle

Goats

Chickens

Other:

Nat resources-

specify

Trees

Indigenous plants

Resources and

infrastructure

Water (list -tick

and describe)

-tap

-standpipe

HH infrastructure

-dwellings

- electricity

-fencing

Farming

infrastructure and

tools (list

Other

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-RWH

-Other

-other

Other livelihood

activities (list)

Market access

(describe)

Training and

advice

(Name sources of

support)

Garden description and size: Include a map drawing of homestead with all aspects including fencing,

water sources, fruit, windbreaks, trees, vegetables, kraals, run off, dwellings, slope, aspect, erosion:

Proportion of vegetable garden in use:- cultivated within the last 6 months (Put as a

percentage)……………………………….

PRESENT INFRASTRUCTURE?

Yes

Comments; On quantity, state, interesting

things..

a.Fencing

b.Jo-Jo tanks

c.Municipal water supply – tap in

yard – reliability- how often it

works

d.Irrigation; hoses, pipes, buckets,

bottles

e.Other – local innovations –

boreholes……..

PRESENT PRACTISES?

Yes

Detailed description of what is there) (Name

all types of plants present, with some idea of

quantity)

a)Vegetables

b)Fruit

c)Herbs and multifunctional

plants (including

windbreaks, hedges,

flowers)

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d)Nursery

e)Field crops (CA)

f)Livestock

g)Soil fertility: (What is

used, how much who

often) (Compost,manure

(type), fertilizer, liquid

manure, green manures,

legumes……

h)Garden management;

tillage practices

(incl .furrows

i)Livestock integration:

CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES?

Yes

Detailed description of what is there- list

practices

Water management:

a)Infiltration (soil structure,

texture, organic matter)

b)Greywater use and

management (filtered,

ash, dedicated structures)

c)Water harvesting and

storage (diversion

furrows, swales, bunds,

small stone walls, check

dams, gabions, Water

conservation (organic

matter, mulching)

d)……..

Soil erosion control

e)contours, ditches,

f)stone lines,

g)furrows (function)

h)…………..

Soil health

i)State of soil; presence of

organic matter, presence

of erosion, presence of

compaction (is the soil

very hard just below the

surface,

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j)Bed design (trench beds,

ridges, dedicated beds

and paths, terraces,

sunken/raised beds,

k)Compost, improved

manure, green manures,

legumes,

l)………

Diversity/ crop management

m)Mixed cropping

n)Crop rotation

o)Seed saving

p)Nursery/ propagation

q)Continuity- seedling

production

r)Natural pest and disease

control practices

s)……………………..

Wild/ diverse plants

t)Indigenous or medicinal

plants

u)Windbreaks/ hedges/ live

fencing

v)Herbs, bee fodder, pest

and disease control

species

HOUSEHOLD PROVISIONING (comments from interviewee)

Food provided for family; what, how much, how often (staples,vegetables, fruit, small livestock):

Nutritional aspects of cropping:

Selling:what, how much, how often, income

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Household observation checklist(for the interviewer)

Extent and diversity of garden

(presence of resources,

manure, different trees.

Labour and general health

Overall situation in the

household (are there any

obvious social issues)

Any local innovations and

interesting things (different

plants, unusual crops – e.g.

white sorghum, millet, jugo

beans, herbs, wild plants,

medicinal plants, herbs,

fruit) ….

Social engagement – groups,

stokvels, church, farming,

selling,

Non-agricultural livelihood

activities (e.g. craft, use of

natural resources in the area,

selling water?

Environmental issues; soil

degradation, erosion,

Potential for SWC and RWH –

are there nice paved areas, no

of houses to collect water from,

willingness in household to

contribute labour

Suitability for technical

innovation (greenhouse, drip

kits, RWH)-

Potential as local facilitator

Interest and potential for field

cropping and being a CA

volunteer

Other

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8.5Appendix 5: Garden monitoring and individual

experimentation plan

NAME AND SURNAME:

VILLAGE:

DATE:

CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES? FIVE FINGERS

Detailed description of what is there- list

practices

Water management:

w)Infiltration/ run off , crusting

x)Organic matter in and on the soil

y)Greywater use and management

(filtered, ash, dedicated

structures – tower garden/sack

garden)

z)Water harvesting and storage

(check dams, gabions, drums,

basins.. small dams, Jo-Jos)

aa)Mulching

bb)Drip irrigation

cc)Other……………………

Control of soil movement:

dd)Contours, diversion ditches,

swales, bunds,

ee)stone lines,

ff)furrows (function)

gg)Other..…………..

Soil health:

hh)Bed design (trench beds, ridges,

dedicated beds and paths,

terraces, sunken/raised beds,

banana basins, eco circles..

ii)Compost, improved manure, green

manures, legumes,

jj)………

Improved crop management:

kk)Mixed cropping

ll)Crop rotation

mm)Seed saving

nn)Nursery/ propagation

oo)Continuity- seedling production

pp)Natural pest and disease control

practices

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qq)……………………..

Looking after indigenous plants:

rr)Indigenous or medicinal plants

ss)Indigenous fruit

tt)Other indigenous plants; including

windbreaks, hedges…

uu)Bee fodder, pest and disease

control species

HOUSEHOLD PROVISIONING (comments from interviewee)

Food provided for family; what, how much, how often (staples,vegetables, fruit, small livestock):

Selling:what, how much, how often, income

INDIVIDUAL EXPERIMENTATION

Please list:

1.…………………………

2.…………………………….

3.………………………………..

4.…………………………………..

5.…………………………………..

And draw in as part of the farmer work plan

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8.6Appendix 6: PIA methodology and indicators

8.6.1PIA workshop outline

1. Recap climate change impacts

ØExplore what people have noticed about impacts and make lists under headings: natural, physical,

economic, human and social

Group level brainstorming of ideas; written on cards under the headings given, with arrows for increase

or decrease

2. Recap adaptive strategies/ practices

ØWhat have people been doing to adapt to this, fix the problems, make things better?

ØWhat can be done? (first look at hat has been done and then any further ideas of what can be

done)

ØElucidate adaptations for each category: natural, physical, economic human, social

Group level brainstorming; write on different cards (those done and those thought of) and place next to

the impact, indicate with a * which of these have been facilitated or introduced (and by whom) – this can

be other farmers, projects, extension officers….

3. Practices: Recap 5 fingers and list all practices under each category

ØRe-introduce the 5 fingersconcept – and include a further category of thewhole hand – which is

the social and personal

ØWhich practices have been implemented (introduced and other)?

Go around in the circle and each person mentions what s/he has done (productive, economic, social,

personal actions) and what she would still liketo try

ØAdd these practices to the five fingers diagram

Make an A1 diagram of the five finger and then add practices on cards

ØGo through practices recommended through the DSS

Use cards with ranked practices from the DSS- describe and show the ones that people are not familiar

with.

ØRank practices for next round of implementation

Rank the list of practices by a show of hands.

4. What have been the changes or benefits from eachpractice

ØWhat changes have there been?

Brainstorming changes – an interrogate to get to the more

ØHow important are these changes to your lives? How do you decide? Which criteria would you use

to decide?

Do a matrix ranking: changes (in columns), criteria (in rows) – Use proportional piling, working down each

column by asking “how important is this practice for the criteria” and comparing the practices with each

other (to an extent) as you go down the list…. Exercise is done in small groups of 5-8 participants

Below is an example of how this could look

food

income

Soil, water

Access,

ease,

knowledge

Trench beds

Tunnels

Cover crops

Legumes

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Other crops;

potatoes,

sweet potatoes

Savings

Subsidised

inputs

Saving for

inputs

Farmer centre

Small

businesses

Learning group

Water

committee

5. Expanding on practices

ØIntroduce new practices for each of five fingers

ØParticipants assess each practice (after deciding on criteria for how you decide this practice is

useful?)

Eventually the whole exercise can be summarised in the table below

Natural

Physical

Economic

Human

Social

CC impacts

Adaptive

strategies

Actions/

practices

Changes due

to practices

Importance of

these changes

to your

livelihood

8.6.2Individual impact assessment questionnaire

Note 1: The assumption is that you will have worked with participants who are to complete this

questionnairefor a while and know them reasonably well. Some of the answers here you can fill in

yourselves, for things that are obvious and known and in fact the questionnaire can be managed as a

conversation, with you filling in the relevant information and probing where some questions remain

unanswered. It does not have to be that the farmer has to answer each question meticulously in

order…

Date: …../……/……/

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PARTICIPANT

•Name and Surname:

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•Village:

•GPS co-ordinates (homestead):

•Age:

•Gender:

•Household head (Yes/No):

•Number of household members (Children & adults):

•Main source of income (social grant/employment/self-employment/unemployed):

•Number of child and pension grants:

•Educational level (no schooling, primary school, high school, passed grade 12):

•Main source of energy for cooking (electricity, gas/paraffin, wood/charcoal):

•Main source of drinking water (own tap, neighbours or communal tap, water tanker or

river/spring):

•

2. FARM ACTIVITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE

a)What is the total land size used:

Increased in

farming (Size)

Before (Size in m2)

Now (Size in m2)

Comment:

Gardening

Field

cropping

Livestock

(No of cattle, goats,

chickens, pigs…)

Trees and other

resources(no of

fruit, indigenous…)

b) What activities are undertaken:

Increased diversity

in farming

Yes/No Before

Y/N now

Comment: why or

why not

Gardening

Field

cropping

Livestock

Trees and other

resources

c) Practices, crops planted, livestock kept (detail and changes

Increased

diversity (1)

Management

and practices

before

Numbe

r of

practice

What has

changed; new

crops

What has

changed; new

practices

What has

changed; new

management

MILESTONE 1: INCEPTION REPORT

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Before

Gardening

e.g. use of

manure, flat beds

e.g Chinese cabbage,

leeks

e.g Trenches,

mulching, mixed

cropping, P&D control

e.g Drip irrigation,

tunnel

Field

cropping

e.g. traditional

cropping maize

e.g beans, cowpeas cc

e.g. CA, intercropping,

cover crops,

e.gClose spacing,

herbicides

Livestock

Trees and

other

resources

3. FIVE FINGERS: CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES

CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES? FIVE FINGERS

Detailed description of what is there-

list practices.

Water management:

vv)Infiltration/ run off , crusting

ww)Organic matter in and on the soil

xx)Greywater use and management

(filtered, ash, dedicated structures –

tower garden/sack garden)

yy)Water harvesting and storage (check

dams, gabions, drums, basins.. small

dams, Jo-Jos)

zz)Mulching

aaa)Drip irrigation

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bbb)Other……………………

Control of soil movement:

ccc)Contours, diversion ditches, swales,

bunds,

ddd)stone lines,

eee)furrows (function)

fff)Other..…………..

Soil health:

ggg)Bed design (trench beds, ridges,

dedicated beds and paths, terraces,

sunken/raised beds, banana basins,

eco circles..

hhh)Compost, improved manure, green

manures, legumes,

iii)………

Improved crop management:

jjj)Mixed cropping

kkk)Crop rotation

lll)Seed saving

mmm)Nursery/ propagation

nnn)Continuity- seedling production

ooo)Natural pest and disease control

practices

ppp)Other (e.g. tunnels)

Improved livestock management

qqq)Fodder production (give some

details)

rrr)Fodder management; cutting,

baling, storing

sss)Vaccinations and supplements

ttt)Housing options (incl chicken

tractors

uuu)Other…..

Looking after indigenous plants:

vvv)Indigenous or medicinal plants

www)Indigenous fruit

xxx)Other indigenous plants; including

windbreaks, hedges…

yyy)Bee fodder, pest and disease control

species

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4. Productivity: Increase in diversity and yields

Increased

productivity

Types

BEFORE:

Quantity

(KG, No)

NOW:

Quantity

(KG,No)

Comment

Gardening

e.g. spinach

40kg

80kg

Increased yield in trench beds

Fieldcropping

Livestock

Trees and

other

resources

a)How has this knowledge helped you to deal with climate change and variability in your garden?

Complete table below

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Past Issues

Past practice

Present practice

Impact (incl soil

health and fertility

and soil and water

conservation

Lessons

b) Please rank the following elements for each practice you have decided to experiment with:Use a

scale of -1 to +3 Note; This question works in tandem with the question above and now ranks the

‘impacts’ mentioned above. Once you have done this a few times, it will be possible to do these two

questions together

-1 = worse than normal practice, 0=no change, 1=some positive change, 2=medium positive change, 3=

high positive change

Name of

practice

Soil

Water

Productivity

Labour

Pest and

disease

control

Cost and

maintenance

Livelihoods

Adaptation

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c) Water management

Increased water

use efficiency

(inclRWH,

water holding,

water access,

water

productivity)

Increase Access

IncreaseRWH

Increasewater

holding

increasewater

productivity

(irrigation)

SCALE

0= same or worse

than before; 1=

somewhat better

than before, 2=

much better than

before

d) Growing season; longer, different, increased

Increased growing

season

Yes/no

Before

Yes/no

Now

Comment

Gardening

e.g.Now grows crops in winter in garden and

fields

Field

cropping

Livestock

Trees and other

resources

5. HOUSEHOLD PROVISIONING & FOOD SECURITY

a) Income and food provision

Increased

livelihood

security

(income)

Income before (ave monthly in

Rands)

Income now (Ave monthly in

Rands)

Comments

Increased

livelihood

security

(Household

provisioning

and food

security)

Food types

(staples, veg,

livestock, fruit)

Quantity/ week

(kg)

No of times

eaten /week

(1-7)

Sales/week (in

Rands)

Comments

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b) Safety nets and diversification

Increased livelihood

diversity/options

Income options

Before

Income options

Now

Comment; name

new options e.g.

which crops, etc

Scale

1=social grants; 2=

remittances;

3=farming

income;4= small

business;

5=employment

Savings (safety,

security,

achievement)

Amount per month

Before

Amount per month

Now

Use of savings

Scale

1=food;

2=household use;

3=education; 4=

production; 5=other

6. Social agency

LEARNING AND IMPLEMENTATION:

a)What have you learnt about dealing with climate change and the climatic extremes (intensity of

rain, wind and sun), that it presents?

b)What is your experience of climate change in relation to farming activities and overall human

well-being?

c)Do you share your knowledge and experiences with the learning group or community members?

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d)How do you share the knowledge gained with other members of your community?

e)What helps you to learn more about new innovations and information? (Specify what the farmer

has learnt)

a)Listening to other farmers experiences and experiments

b)By doing and experimenting in own garden

c)Motivated by other farmers work and experiences

d)Learning workshops

Collaborative

actions/social

agency

Activities in groups Before- name

Activities in groups Now

E.g. savings,

church, learning

groups, coops,

farmers

associations,

work teams,

selling, inputs,

farmer centres,

water

committees …

Informed

decision making

Information used to choose

activities Before

Information used to choose

activities Now

e.g. Other

community

members,

learning in

groups, written

info, radio,

facilitators,

extension

officers, etc

Positive mindsets

Rate your mindset Before

Rate your mindset now

SCALE:0=less

positive about

the future;

1=the same;

2=more positive

about the

future; 3=much

more positive

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Appendix 7: Attendance registers

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Note: 1stpage of 6