Publications

La présente note thématique est basée sur les expériences de la SNV en matière d’appui aux pasteurs en Afrique, en vue d’améliorer leurs moyens d’existence. Elle se fonde sur une large gamme d’études de cas qui, à travers le continent, mettent en évidence un certain nombre de traits communs aux
pratiques des pasteurs. La collaboration avec les pasteurs nous a appris qu’ils ne sont pas les traditionalistes que l’on décrit souvent. Ils s’adaptent au changement rapide comme tout autre groupe en Afrique. La présente note met en exergue l’éventail de stratégies d’adaptation, d’options de commercialisation et de mécanismes institutionnels qui ont cours à l’heure actuelle au sein de ces communautés. Ces expériences démontrent que le travail de la SNV a permis d’apporter des améliorations  tangibles aux moyens d’existence des éleveurs, tout en augmentant leur contribution au développement écon omique dans certains des milieux les plus difficiles en Afrique aujourd’hui.

Presented at the II International Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Developing Countries 10th-11th August 2010 in Tanzania

The Kenya Biogas programme is a component of the African Biogas Partnership Programme (ABPP), funded by the Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) of the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs through two Dutch development NGO’s, the Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos) and the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV).

The overall goal of the Programme is to improve livelihoods of rural farmers through benefits of domestic biogas and develop of a commercially viable, market oriented biogas sector.  In the first 2 years of implementation a total of 3,239 plants have been installed across the country, 477 rural youth trained and engaged in gainful activities as biogas masons and some 67 biogas construction companies engaged viable business.

Over this time a total of over 18,000 farmers have been reached through the Programme’s promotional and extension activities, further raising awareness on the need to use clean energy and increasing agricultural production through effective use of bio-slurry. The Programme is also a key in the development of National biogas standards in Kenya Bureau of Standards that are expected to regulate development of the biogas sector for sustained growth and sustainability.

The year 2011 was the second year of effective implementation of the Kenya National Domestic Biogas Programme (KENDBIP). The year saw a significant expansion in its partnership network with over 55 institutions and organizations from both the private and public sectors collaborating with the programme in the implementation of the various programme components, enhancing the programme’s outreach and service delivery to clients.

Démarche méthodologique pour la formulation de projets.

This report presents the findings of a study conducted Nov-Dec 2012, in the traditional cattle keeping areas of Zambia. The focus on the study was on untapped milk originating from the traditional cattle sector, with the aim of ensuring a stable and reliable supply for processors in Zambia and an income to smallholder farmers. The overall objective was to provide a solid basis for making informed decisions about interventions in the traditional/smallholder dairy sub-sector related to improving production, animal husbandry practices and milk marketing. The study demonstrates that traditional cattle farmers can supply a substantial amount of milk to support demand in the country, as well as enhance the utilisation capacity of milk processors. Information from the report will be useful for NGOs, the Zambian government and donors, as it enables to identify gaps in the value chain which they can strengthen, and support income generation.

Key findings of the research: confirmed that Ethiopian MFIs are highly dependent on fund from external sources and they will find it difficult to extend loan for biogas user while satisfying the current financial need of their clientele; they also lack human resource capacity to participate in the NBP; they exhibited low level application of modern technologies such as MIS as a result of their limited financial capacity; majority of the MFIs are not aware of biogas technology and its benefit to the society, the environment and the business opportunity for their own organisation provided through new loan product; even if there is lack of proper infrastructure which could result in higher interest rate for rural households compensating the resulting higher transaction cost, MFIs are not charging rural clients higher interest rate, they rather vary the interest rate based on the lending methodology, the type of loan products and repayment period which is the same for all rural, semi-urban and urban clients.

Main conclusions: without building their financial, human resource and institutional capacity, with their current limited capacity Ethiopia MFIs will find it difficult to participate in NBP; lack of awareness about biogas lead MFIs to think that providing loan for biogas user is a risky business and they put forward a number of pre-requisites and additional guarantee requirements for biodigesters for the sake of their own security; lack of awareness found out to be a low level problem that could be addressed by continuous training and awareness raising campaigns.

This study examines the possible set-up of a National Domestic Biogas Programme (NDBP) in Senegal by clearly stating the steps needed in order to establish the programme, as well as functions needing urgent action by key actors involved in the programme.

Study findings (workshop, field visits, and interviews) indicated that the available institutional framework in the country had sufficient potential for biogas installations. The interest on the side of farmers in the biogas sector was also high. Ministry of Energy was considered as the most suitable institution in realizing a relationship with wider institutional context, and its Agence Sénégalaise d’ Electrification Rurale (ASER) - as the most appropriate implementation agency.
Study recommendations include the need for Ministry of Energy/ASER to determine, within the framework of the national budget allocation procedures, the potential Senegalese budgetary contribution on the basis of the feasibility study and its programme outline. Ministry of Energy/ASER also needs to connect itself with the ongoing process for establishing the programme and disseminating domestic biogas.

Recommendations to SNV WCA stated the urgent need for finalizing its conditions and intervention modes in biogas activities, as well as deciding on possible collaboration activities with ENDA TM. Further, SNV WCA needs to continue execute all necessary steps to be able to assign staff to the NDBP in Senegal as soon as all parties have committed themselves to the programme. The report also presents in detail all functions that need to be executed, as well as the most suitable actors for that purpose.

This manual was written for primary school pupils and primary school leavers in the banana growing valleys of Zimbabwe. It is designed to equip the pupil or school leaver with basic skills and knowledge needed to grow bananas commercially.

This manual was written for primary school pupils and primary school leavers in the banana growing valleys of Zimbabwe. It is designed to equip the pupil or school leaver with basic skills and knowledge needed to grow bananas commercially. It gives suggestions on how to grow bananas, and recommendations on how to make a business out of growing and selling them.

Over 70% of secondary school pupils fail to obtain a full certificate and do not have relevant skills to provide for a reasonable livelihood within local conditions. This module has been developed on the assumption that people in certain areas of Zimbabwe make a living on the farming of fruits such as bananas, and it therefore hopes to fill a gap by providing relevant education to learners in banana growing localities.

This framework can be used by primary schools to practically teach children new methods and skills in banana growing. In the area where this framework was developed, new agronomic practices in banana farming were introduced to farmers. Their children were however not included in this transfer of knowledge and skills, even though many will be the farmers of tomorrow. Learning these methods and inputs can increase production and improve the quality of produce.

This framework can be used by schools to practically teach children new methods and skills in banana growing. In the area where this framework was developed, new agronomic practices in banana farming were introduced to farmers. Their children were however not included in this transfer of knowledge and skills, even though many will be the farmers of tomorrow. Learning these methods and inputs can increase production and improve the quality of produce.