Presentation on Strategic Pilot on Adaptation to Climate Change (SPACC) Project

1. East Coast Regional Consultation on Climate Change AdaptationRajahmundry, AP, August 26-27, 2013Session II: Experience Exchange on Community Based ApproachesS. C. Hassain, Treasurer Association Promoting FArmers Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS) Presentation on Strategic Pilot on Adaptation to Climate Change (SPACC) Project Reversing Environmental Degradation and Rural Poverty through Adaptation to Climate Change in Drought Stricken Areas in Southern India: A Hydrological Unit Pilot Project Approach

2. About APFAMGS NGOs Network: • The APFAMGS Network promoted by Nodal NGO-BIRDS with 9 Partners NGOs to address climate change issues effecting Agriculture, with special reference to Dry land Agriculture, in drought effected regions. • Action research through Pilot Projects to assess the impact of Climate change, its effects, existing adaptation techniques by the local communities and pursue activities to promote viable practices to face future challenges. • To replicate the Ground Water management technologies experimented in APFAMGS project to larger areas with support from Govt., & other Resource Agencies.

3. Background of the SPACC Project: • The innovative and reputed Andhra Pradesh Farmers Managed Groundwater System (APFAMGS) project was initiated by BIRDS APFAMGS Network with 9 Partner NGOs and the farming community was capacitated to effectively use ground water during 2004-2009 in 7 drought pone districts of AP. • There is a limited knowledge and understanding of Climate Change Impacts. Hence, the need to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of farmers to respond to Climate Change Impacts on land and water resources through pilots. • The proposed project will promote • An innovative approach of natural resource management, focusing on community capacity building, • Strengthening community based organizations with needed skills and knowledge to adapt to climate variability and change. • Empowering the community through the Farmers Climate Schools (FCS) • Enabling the farmers and communities to gather all technical data related to rainfall, soil moisture, runoff, soil quality along with appreciation of the process of carbon sequestration at the farm level.

4. Objectives of the SPACC Project: • To create awareness in the rural people about the changes that have taken place in the seasons, the changes that are likely to occur and the impact of this changes on agriculture and water resources. • To identify the scientific methodology to adopt to the changes in the seasons and climate variability. • To test the identified scientific methods and practices in the farmer fields. • To disseminate the information and the knowledge of the experiences of the above activities through books /web site to different places , regions and countries .

5. Key Components of the SPACC Project: Rain Gauge Station The project has been structured into three main components. (i) Information tools for decision making and local institutional capacity development: Establishment of Meteorological installations 1.Rain Gauge 2.Pan Evaporimeter 3.Stevenson Screen with Minimum & Maximum Thermo meters and Wet & Dry bulb 4. Perihilometer 5.Wind Wane 6.Anemometer The above data is regularly collected by volunteers and displayed on the Display boards in villages for the benefit of the villagers. Stevenson Screen Pan Evaporimeter Perihilometer Wind Vane Anemometer PCM Display Board

6. Dead Furrow (ii) Pilots on adaptation measures integrated into SLMW practices: • Groundnut K-9 was finalized for study as it is highly drought resistant containing high oil percentage and having good fodder value. • As a part of Land and Water management : • Soil testing for nutritional management. • Summer Ploughing. • Contour cultivation. • Dead Furrow. • Inter Cropping. • Border Crop. • Bird Purchers. Bird Purchers Border Crop

7. (iii) Platform for scaling up climate change adaptation measures suitable for drought prone areas: Farmer Climate Schools (FCS): • Monthly once the session will be conducted. • The climatic data collected by the volunteers is tabulated . • The effect of climate variability on the Pilots will be discussed in the FCS. • Communities will be capacitated to adopt the resilient methods against adverse climate change. • Dissemination of Climatic information and the adaptation methods to the neighboring farmers. FCS Session

8. SPACC Project Implementing Partners: The Geographic locations of the nine Pilot Hydrological Units are: • No. of Habitations:143 in 9 HU’s • Total Geographical Area:1,34,442 ha • Total population:2,04,567

9. Nalgonda [SAID] Mahaboob Nagar [CARE] Prakasam [SAFE] [DIPA] [CARVE] Kurnool [BIRDS] Anantapur [SYA] Kadapa [PARTNER] Chittoor [GVS]

10. Approach and methodology for community-based adaptation: Climate Change Adaptation Committee (CCAC): • Formation of CCAC at Habitation level includes CBO leaders, Farmers, Raithumithra Groups, SHG‘s and other Vulnerable groups • CCAC at Hydrological Unit (HU) level will be formed with the key members of Habitation level. It is a Network of CCAC‘s at Hydological Unit level (HUN). • All the members of the CCAC will be the main stakeholders in inplemeting the adoptation of the resilient methods to combate with the climetic changes. Habitation CCAC HUN CCAC

11. Approach and methodology for community-based adaptation Methods Employed to Implement Communities based Adaptation: • Awareness and Capacity building through Trainings • Workshops involving Scientists Govt. Officials and CCAC members to evolve different activities • Exposure visits to the places where this type of programmes are implemented • Established Institutional Linkages CBO Leaders Workshop SLWM Field Day

12. Key impacts of SPACC Project:

13. To monitor and evaluate On-the ground impact indicators: • Average crop yields. • Improved annual groundwater balance, volume of water harvested or water saved through usage of water harvesting and saving devices/methods. • Soil moisture availability and/or organic carbon content. Main Steps of the Monitoring & Evaluation Process: The monitoring & Evaluation may be of mid-term or final. It can be done either by internal or external agency selected for the purpose. • Review the effectiveness, efficiency and timeliness of project implementation. • Identify issues requiring decisions and remedial actions. • Identify lessons learned about project design, implementation and management. • Highlight technical achievements and lessons learned. • Propose any mid-course corrections and/or adjustments to the implementation strategy as necessary.

14. Lessons learnt on making community-based adaptation work: • Programmes are Sustainable. United and collective efforts will give desired effects. • Adoptation to the Climatic variations through different resilient methods. • The adoptation should be universal to reverse the Environmental degradation. • Working in collabaration with local authorities will improve the linkages. • The field data collection will sharpen the farmers’ ability to make critical and informed decisions on crop varieties, planting season, managing pest attacks etc to cope with climate variability and change. Thank You