Identifying strategies: Stakeholder Workshop 1 |
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A report on the results of the first DESIRE stakeholder workshop on "Land degradation and desertification - existing and potential prevention and mitigation strategies" held in Mopipi, Botswana, 25-28 February 2008.
Authors: Dr. L. Magole, Dr. J. R. Atlhopheng, Prof. Chanda
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Main degradation issues or problems in the area
- Water shortage
- Drought (prolonged periods of low rainfall)
- Poverty
- High livestock mortality
- Loss of vegetation cover
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List of Currently Applied Strategies |
List of Potential Strategies |
1. Water harvesting 2. Water mining (boreholes) 3. Dam building 4. Harvest storage 5. Government drought relief programmes 6. Relocating 7. Supplementary feeding for livestock 8. Engage in crafts making and other informal activities 9. Rely on Government aid 10. Depend on veld fruits 11. Plough anyway |
1.Build more dams to capture rain water 2.Recycle water 3.Conserve water 4.Use recycled water for irrigation 5.Learn and apply new water efficient irrigation strategies 6.Build community harvest storage facilities 7.Diversify into wildlife farming 8.Set and adhere to appropriate stocking rates 9.Diversify into commercial farming 10.Build e to appropriate stocking rates 11.Rear livestock breeds which are drought resistant 12.Involve all stakeholders in policy development and implementation 13.Use biogas |
Overall Strategy |
Top Five Strategies |
Poverty alleviation |
1. Use of biogas as energy source 2. Diversify into wildlife farming 3. Irrigation 4. Commercial farming 5. Intensify dam building |
Conclusions: Strengths and Weaknesses
- Community willingness to participate in the project activities
- Local leadership support for the project initiative
- High participation and interest of literate youth
- An appreciable level of awareness regarding livelihood related environmental conservation issues in the area
- Low capacity to implement remediation strategies
- Non participation of Government extension officers in the workshop
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