ACTIVITY PLAN for phase 3
July 2011 to December 2012
Introduction: structure of the plan
In August 2009, when the first phase of Man and Mangroves had been completed and the project had come off the ground well, the initiators from Orissa and the Nederlands came together, and worked out a long-term plan. This plan runs from the start in December 2007, to December 2013. We see the year 2013 as the ‘harvest season’ of the project in its present form. In that last year, the results in terms of the approaches and methods that have been invented, developed, and tested, will be transferred. Not just in India and surroundings (South and South-East Asia), but elsewhere as well. Meanwhile, some project activities will still be going on in the project area that need to be rounded off properly.
This means that the forthcoming one-and-a-half years are crucial for Man and Mangroves as a research and development project in Orissa. So for us, the recent cuts on the Dutch budget for development co-operation as per 1-1-2011 really have come at an unfortunate moment. For this reason, the activity plan for the next 1½ years was shaped as an instrument to facilitate fundraising. The activity plan 2011-2012 consists of five main activities:
Both the budget and the reports of Man and Mangroves are structured following this scheme of main activities. The total budget amounts to 20.500 euro’s. Out of this, 3.000 euro’s are covered by direct earnings from the activities of the project in the Netherlands itself.
The fundraising follows the structure of the activity plan as well. In this way, you may choose which main activity you would like to support in particular. Annually you will be updated on the state of affairs, and the results, of the activity of your preference.
Activity 1: Supporting women and the production and marketing of ‘coast craft’
From the very start of Man and Mangroves, a core issue het been the development of work and income for, and by, landless women in the coastal area or Orissa, on the Indian East coast, nearby the mangrove reserve of Bhitarkanika (in the district of Kendrapada). We focused on the application of natural materials which are part of the mangrove ecosystem of Orissa. First of all we selected two plants, namely nalia (a kind of grass with the ability to keep mud flats together), and kia (more widely known as screw pine). In a pre-study, carried out in collaboration with members of the local population, the possibilities to use these plants were considered, keeping in mind how women could make money out of them.
Therefore, a core activity of Man and Mangroves is to enlarge the skills of local communities, and particularly groups of women, in manufacturing marketable articles out of nalia and kia. In part, the articles women used to make out of nalia and kia were grossly out of time. For this reason we had new designs made. The skills of the women are improved by means of training and coaching. All phases of the production process, from raw material to distribution, are passing the revue:
In 2009 the first year of experiences with this were recorded in two manuals, a nalia and a kia manual, with lots of pictures. Successively, in our training and coaching activities of 2010, we gave extra attention to the skills required for marketing and selling such products in other ways than through the traditional local networks. In order to do so, the women must be able to adjust quickly to new designs, demanded by new buyers. These new skills include planning, working in an ‘assemblage line’, time management, packing and mailing, collecting and processing information on market facilities. In 2011, experience was gained with this. For instance, a small group of women went to a fair trade conference at Angul (elsewhere in Orissa), and sold many products there. Deals were made with renowned handicraft stores in Bhubaneswar (capital of Orissa), And new products were thought up to be sold in Holland. Also, a trade mark was registered for our products: ‘coast craft’. These experiences have now been included in our handbooks as well.
Man and Mangroves is now working in three ‘nalia villages’ and three ‘kia villages’. The plantations of these plants continue to increase. In 2011-2012 we want to serve a total of 60 women with our training and coaching program. Of recent, collaboration with the Government of India: District Industrial Centre started, who trained two women’s groups on the basis of our Training Manuals.
In this way, we can continue to focus on innovation. Also, we will continue to invest in the development of local self-organizations. With men as well, because it is important that the men support their women, and are active in the plantation and management of the plants. Locally, the training and coaching are carried out by two DHARA project associates, and a number of master crafts-persons (as and when required).
For these activities 5.000 euro’s (approximately 300.000 rupees) are budgeted, towards:
Activity 2: Broadening the action ‘screw pine plantation and management’
In 2010 a pilot for the plantation and management of kia (screwpine) was carried out, in the villages Ramnagar, in Kendrapada district, and Pipali, in Jagatsingpur district. In June 2010 two women and two men from our project sites Ramnagar and Kiada went on a study tour to the southern coastal district of Ganjam. They met small farmers who have become experts in growing, cultivating, and caring for, screw pine, a plant usually considered useless. The sale of screw pine flowers has become their main source of income. The flowers are collected by traders who distill an essence out of them that serves to flavor food, and to make perfume and other pharmaceutical products. Here, the kia plants, which usually grow in the wild along country roads, fences, and embankments, are looked after with great care. Our people were impressed. They became friends with several kia farmers. With their help they selected sites were planting material could be collected later on. In the third week of June 2010, two persons of our project, including a local volunteer, went to Ganjam with a mini-truck to collect the planting material. They also brought two kia farmers from Ganjam along, who helped in planting the kia, and showed how to look after it. This happened in three villages not far from the coast. With the villagers a pilot was implemented with the cultivation and management of screwpine following the Ganjami method, as follows:
See our brief report with pictures under ‘reports’. Like all activities of Man and Mangroves, this activity too serves both economic and ecological goals:
In view of the progress of the pilot, we want to intensify and broaden this approach in 2011 and 2012. For this, we have budgeted ab amount of 3.000 euro’s (about 180.000 rupees). DHARA will use this for:
Activity 3: Pilot ‘small-scale brackish water aquaculture ponds’
By the end of 2011 we will start a new pilot, based on an exploratory study which is going on right now, with active collaboration with the local population. Orogomally, our purpose was to revitalize small-scale fisheries in mangrove creeks. By a potential creek we mean to say that until not too long ago, lots of mangroves were growing by its side, and it still contains that thick, grey, saline, fertile clay, in which mangroves are doing well. When that vegetation was there, these were the foremost breeding grounds of fish and shrimps. The bushes and trees along the creek were dropping leaves on the mud continuously. Down there, myriads of very small crabs were engaged in cutting this organic material into minuscule pieces with their scissors, and eating it. The excrements of these crabs, which they produce in large amounts, are perfect food for new-born shrimps and fish. This meant rich food, and additional income, for the local population.
By bringing back the mangroves back along a section of a creek, and installing fine nets in that creek at two places, a sustainable, and small-scale, farm to cultivate fish, shrimps, and crustaceans,for own use (i.e. comsumption, plus sale in the local market) may be developed. We will start with bringing the so-called green mud crab. This fast-growing species will expedite the process of compost formation, and tastes very well, too.
In our pre-study, we also ran into quite a few puddles with brackish standing water. There, we want to cultivate the so-called Indian water chestnut, which produces very nutritious nuts. This fruit which can also be applied as a medicine to reduce fever.
By Autumn, 2011, we expect to have agreements with two or three local communities on the implementation of this pilot. Like other activities of Man and Mangroves, this ons serves both social and ecological goals:
For the implementation of this pilot in 2011-2012 we have budgeted € 5.500,- towards:
Activiy 4: Exploratory study: sustainable use of wind, water, sun
In each phase of Man and Mangroves, an exploratory study is carried out, on a something that could be of both social-economic, and ecological, use in our project area. These studies should result in a plan for a specific experiment in collaboration with pioneers from the area, in the next phase of the project. We conduct these explorations in the form of participatory research, that is, together with local residents. Advantages of this method are:
In 2011-2012 we’ll do another study like that. This time we focus on the use of clean energy, or wind, water, and, sun, in the project area. Strangely, these sources of clean energy are not being utilized at all, even though they are present in abundance, and basically there is a need for cheap ways of pumping shallow water out and fresh water in, sustainable lighting and cooling, etcetera. Why are the tidal movements, sun, and the breeze that arises nearly every afternoon, not being used? The research question for this study is complex:
We expect a good deal of interest for this theme amongst students and volunteers in the Netherlands. DHARA, and the pioneers in our project area, would love to host Dutchmen having some knowledge of, and insight in, sources of clean energy and the small-scale use thereof, and are willing to share their knowledge, insight, and curiosity. We are aiming at a bi-lateral exchange in the form of an exploratory study resulting in a realistic plan for a pilot on clean energy and water management. Given the size of this theme, it is better to limit the research question beforehand, in a research plan that should link up with the knowledge and interests of the students or volunteers concerned.
For implementing of this study we budgeted 3.000 euro’s (approximately 1,80,000 rupees) in 2011-2012. DHARA will spend this amount on:
This does not include the costs of traveling to and from Orissa, and preparing for the stay in Orissa (notably visa, and medical costs). These costs amount to 1.000 euro’s, approximately, per student or volunteer.
The results of this activity may be of value for others working on questions, and applications, on the crossroads of society and ecology, as well. This is another reason to opt for students and volunteers, as they will be affiliated with educational and research agencies or volunteer organizations in the field of man and nature, who might function as a sounding-board.
Recently we filed an application for subvention at the European program Youth In Action, at Brussels, for two group journeys with persons aged 18-30, in July and December 2012, on the above issue. The application was sent in by Commundo at Amersfoort. The result is expected by September 2011.
Activity 5: Networking with experts and committed persons in India and the Netherlands
Man and Mangroves is about furthering commitment in the Netherlands as well. Commitment with the mangrove ecosystem, and villages and people, in Orissa, but also with the question how we, in the North, could relate to the sea and other natural conditions in better ways. We are shaping this main activity in the following ways:
All in all, the budget of these activities has been set at 4.000 euros, to be spent by the Man and Mangroves foundation itself. We expect to generate three-quarters of this amount via the annual journey to Orissa, the sale of coast craft, and incidental revenues.