Improving Rural Livelihoods through Carbon Sequestration by adopting environment friendly technology based agro-forestry

1. Improving Rural Livelihoods through Carbon Sequestration by adopting environment friendly technology based agro-forestry practices VEDA MACS Ltd

2. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT • The state of eco-systems • Population is expected to grow by 8 – 10 billion by 2050 • Per capita income is projected to increase by two to four fold • A further 10 – 20% of grassland and forestland is projected to be converted to cultivated uses by 2050 • Invasive alien species are set to continue to spread • Demand for food crops is projected to grow by 70 – 85% by 2050. Ward & Woods (2011) The future of democracy in the Face of Climate Change, Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development

3. Problem-1 Global Warming Problem-3 Degraded Land in tropical countries like India Inability to adapt Low Income Inability to Invest Market based mechanisms for GHGs sinks /reduction Such as CDM or Voluntary Markets Problem-2 Poor Incomes in Agriculture /Rural sectors Land Based Project Activities such as Agro/Farm forestry and other GHG reduction activities Tradability and generation of CERs/VERs Creation of CER/ VERs Additional income in the form of carbon revenues leading to Improved Livelihoods

4. PILOT PROJECT WITH BIO CARBON FUND OF THE WORLD BANK • “Improving Rural Livelihoods Through Carbon Sequestration By Adopting Environment Friendly Technology Based Agro-forestry Practices”

5. PROJECT PARTICIPANTS Vanitha (Women) Empowerment, Development and Advancement (VEDA) Mutually Aided Cooperative (MAC) Society Ltd. / VEDA Climate Change Solutions Ltd JK Paper Ltd., Rayagada

6. PROJECT DETAILS Total land for plantations: 1,600 ha. No. of farmer participants: 1580 Carbon Sequestered: 60 t/ha (assuming 120 MT yield/ha) Value of traded CO2: 4 USD/t

7. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT • This A/R CDM project activity mobilized resource-poor farmers to raise tree plantations on farmlands. • The project was implemented in the two states of India: Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. • Project Status – Validated and registered • The participation of small and marginal farmers representing indigenous communities as part of the CDM A/R made this project unique in contributing to their land use choice, improvement of livelihood opportunities and in promoting their capacity to organize and implement climate change mitigation initiatives.

8. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT • The specific objectives of the project include: • To pilot reforestation activities for generating high-quality greenhouse gas removals by sinks that can be measured, monitored and verified; • To develop plantation and agro forestry models, which can provide multiple benefits to farmers in terms of timber, firewood and non-wood forest products; • To provide additional income and to promote livelihoods of resource poor farmers through carbon revenues. • To reforest degraded lands to control soil and water erosion and reclaim lands. • To reduce the dependence of industry on natural forests thereby conserving biodiversity. • To build capacity of various stakeholders to benefit from global mechanisms.

9. OBJECTIVES • To mobilize and encourage small and marginal farmers to raise plantations of tree species with high rates of carbon sequestration in their farmlands. • To link, facilitate and coordinate with international organizations, carbon financing companies, financial institutions, Government and non governmental organizations, paper industry etc., • To optimize the overall returns to the small and marginal farmers • Generate additional income from carbon credits to the farmers

10. OBJECTIVES • To promote farmer-industry partnerships with binding agreements to purchase wood. • Encourage farmers to go for agro-forestry practices.

12. MAJOR ACTIVITIES • Identification of small and marginal farmers • Arrange seedlings to the farmers to raise high density plantations. • Provide advice and training in Agronomy, Soil Conservation, best plantation practices and use of environmental friendly technology by experts.

13. MAJOR ACTIVITIES • Developed and strengthened the capacity of small and marginal farmers, govt. and NGOs to enhance their negotiation skills and to take advantage of the international mechanisms. • Conservation of biodiversity through reducing dependence on natural forests

14. LOCAL BENEFITS • Would benefit the local small and marginal farmers in getting higher rate of financial return from their lands. • Will generate productive self employment to small farmers and their family members • Will bring the degraded farm lands into appropriate land use by adopting best agro-forestry practices • Will help in soil conservation and will check soil erosion.

15. LOCAL BENEFITS • Carbon loss from the soil would be arrested and will improve the productivity of the land. • Local paper industry would be able to meet their wood requirements and their dependence on natural forests would be reduced. • The capacity of the small and marginal farmers is enhanced through training.

16. GLOBAL BENEFITS • Sequestering atmospheric carbon and conserve soil carbon. • Reduced dependence on natural forests will help in conservation of biodiversity and the natural forests would continue to sequester carbon and act as repositories of carbon.

17. GLOBAL BENEFITS • Demonstration effect: The project will establish best practices and will serve as a model for others to emulate both within and outside the country. • Empowerment: The project will empower the stakeholders to undertake activities based on principles of sustainable development and will improve their livelihoods.

18. CAPACITY BUILDING • Capacity building of multiple stakeholders to tackle and manage these new opportunities on the ground. • Take advantage of opportunities for agro-forestry that might arise from ‘free-market’ approaches to sustainable land use and management. • Opportunity to sell a new “crop” in the international carbon market through agro-forestry which will also help in improving rural livelihoods.