Project Planning Kaule
First Steps
In September 2006, a first viewing of an already existing agroforestry enterprise project under the name of “AF Enterprise” took place. It was then that the balance sheets of AF Enterprise and of some other enterprises were recorded for the first time, followed by discussions with the farmers in order to enhance profitability.
In autumn 2007, the decision was taken to make this project happen, and the main framework was decided with the farmers, who wanted to be actively involved (15 families including 10 people with 3.5 hectare land). Kaule e.V. was founded in Germany in order to raise funds. In June 2008, it was acknowledged as charitable association and in November 2008, it was registered at the local court of Cologne.
Next Steps
Reorganisation
The project is planned to run over several years, and this is the time span needed in order to transition from conventional cultivation methods to the agroforestry-system.
In March 2009, farms will start the reorganisation. The remodelling will be carried out by farmers and volunteers who will have been appointed and supervised by the Nepalese centres for volunteers: “VIN” (Volunteers Initiative Nepal) and “Hands for Help Nepal”.
The foundations of the remodelling phase are planned to be completed in the same year in which they will be started. This includes the siting of the fish ponds and planting seeds . Terraces that are already in place will be preserved. However, the complete reorganisation will not be completed until after several years. This is mainly is due to the fact that the trees grow at a slower pace, that the regeneration of the soil takes its time and that the biological balance has to level off first.
The plan for reorganisation aims to be designed according to the principles of agroforestry. To this end, positions of the terraces are first collected with a GPS receiver and then recorded on maps. Soil samples are taken and the existing vegetation is registered. On the basis of the soil samples, it is possible to measure the evolution over time, for instance the increase of organic material in the soil, which is amongst others meant to be achieved with the agroforestry methods.
Furthermore, it will be monitored which perennial plant species are suitable for combined cultivation or which ones complement each other positively, with the goal to develop the permanent cultivation with varying crop rotation according to agroforestry principles.
Plant Breeding
The breeding of plants is carried out on site in rather simple greenhouses. The required plant material is gained from the existing stocks, seeds and plants purchased on top, and from material collected in the surrounding area.
Data Monitoring
For the documentation of the data and the regular exchange between the Nepalese associates and the association in Germany, an office in Kathmandu will be set up in October 2008 and it is planned to employ a Nepalese associate who will be paid on a fee basis. This will allow to carry out different tasks and for the website to be kept up to date. This way, all participants and interested parties can monitor how the project evolves. An additional position will be created in Kathmandu.
Training
In February -March 2009, a three-week training course on the topic of agroforestry is planned for the farmers , so that the newly created system can be maintained and favourably expanded. Thereby, all project participants will have the opportunity to learn from each other. – The farmers will be educated on the principles of agroforestry and we will learn about the farmers’ practices and gain valuable insights on native plants, animals and the local culture.
Market Analysis
In spring 2009, the market situation will be analysed and this aims to lay the grounds to optimise the economic efficiency of the enterprises. To this end, farmers’ operating income and expenses have been recorded since 2006 on a regular basis. The analysis tackles the local market situation and raises the following questions: What can be sold? Where can it be sold best? How will the transport to this place be organised most handy?
The current situation of the farmers will be documented once again and thus provides a comparative value for the years to come. The analysis is supposed to be carried out again in later years and improvement of the situation can be monitored and demonstrated. Such analyses are accomplished on the basis of interviews and questionnaires.
Scientific Evaluation
The collected data is additionally meant to be presented in form of one or more publications in order to also make it available to scientific lobbyist groups.
It is hoped that in this way , a small contribution to the development of the agroforestry system will be made.
