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Economic Empowerment of Pastoral Women

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Sudan

In the rural areas of Sudan, more than 60% of the people are agro-pastoralists. Especially during recent years the importance of livestock based economy and income has been recognised by the government and new steps are being taken to develop the livestock sector. For this purpose in some areas of the country financial institutions and cooperatives have been established for livestock owners and export and marketing of livestock is on the increase. However, Sudanese (agro) pastoralists are still facing a wide range of problems. Poverty, drought, the lack of educational programmes for pastoralists and natural resource based conflicts (Darfur) are major issues of concern.

Ongoing Projects

Alternative Animal Feeds for Pastoralist Communities in Kassala State (Phase 1: January 2008)

Project Description

The central strategy for this training are the transfer of better feeding technologies by training of trainers e.g. within line ministries and established local pastoralist non-governmental and community based organisations and community leaders. In this way the benefits are replicated in pastoral areas with local and federal government support. The trainees will be equipped with new knowledge, practical skills and tools on how to best use crop fodder and crop residue.

Objectives

1. Tackle poverty and food security among Sudanese pastoralists and agro-pastoralists through technical capacity building and training programmes for the development of the livestock related activities
2. Advocate, promote and raise awareness among civil society and policy makers including local and central government and line ministries in Eritrea and Sudan to include pastoralist communities and livestock issues in the agenda of national development and food security. Change negative attitudes and approaches towards pastoralism within government policy making deparments and development programme design.
3. Empower pastoralist communities and their institutions to play a full role in their own development.
4. Build capacity through support for and delivery of training for pastoralist Community Based Organisations and front-line government staff (extension workers) working with pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and/or other livestock owners
5. Exchange and share knowledge, experiences and research data with other experts and pastoralists in Eastern Sudan and in Western Eritrea who face similar ecological and socioeconomic conditions.

Activities

As a repeat of the first training held in Kassala town January 2008, this project also focused on training of trainers.

Achievements

Project beneficiaries are 33 pastoralists of which 25% of participants were women. Nomadic pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and sedentary livestock owners who were chosen from different ethnic groups in Kassala state.

1. These 33 participants were trained in alternative fodder production skills. An evaluation survey found out that participants had already started spreading the word to other community members
2. A training package has been successfully was developed by Animal Production Research Centre of the Ministry of Science and Technology and PENHA
3. A training programme and funding proposal for phase 2 was drawn up

Integrated Community-based Fodder Production Programme (Phase 2: October 08 and January 09)

Project Description

The programme aimed to reduce the marginalisation and poverty among Sudanese pastoralists and agro-pastoralists through the empowerment of their communities, the economic development of the livestock sector, and awareness raising among civil society and policy makers in the livestock sector (of which they are major stakeholders) in the context of national and regional policy and development programme design.

Objectives (These repeated those in Phase 1.)

1. Tackle poverty and food security among Sudanese pastoralists and agro-pastoralists through technical capacity building and training programmes for the development of the livestock related activities
2. Advocate, promote and raise awareness among civil society and policy makers including local and central government and line ministries in Eritrea and Sudan to include pastoralist communities and livestock issues in the agenda of national development and food security. Change negative attitudes and approaches towards pastoralism within government policy making deparments and development programme design.
3. Empower pastoralist communities and their institutions to play a full role in their own development.
4. Build capacity through support for and delivery of training for pastoralist Community Based Organisations and front-line government staff (extension workers) working with pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and/or other livestock owners
5. Exchange and share knowledge, experiences and research data with other experts and pastoralists in Eastern Sudan and in Western Eritrea who face similar ecological and socioeconomic conditions.

Activities

Training of Trainers courses were held twice in Kassala state. The first training took place in January 2008 and the second training took place in October 2008 (Food and Agricultural Organisation funded project). The pictures show training sessions in progress. The training sessions were fully supported by the Kassala State Governor  and relevant line ministries. All training sessions were broadcast by a local TV station. In addition, the PENHA-Animal Production Research Centre training team met and briefed the Humanitarian Affairs Commission, the Khartoum state governor and the relevant line ministries Federal level. A video with a commentary about this training can be seen at the end of this section.

Achievements

In total, 100 pastoralists have attended training sessions and obtained skill and knowledge about more effective and efficient ways of animal feeding. They are now able to replicate the new knowledge in their areas. As a result of the training some participants have started spreading the knowledge they learned to their neighbours, relatives and other community members. The numbers who indirectly benefited from the training amounted to over 1,000 livestock owners in the Kassala State. As extension of the training, the Pastoralist Environment Association in Kassala State (PEAKS) was formed to pursue a better livelihood for pastoralist in Eastern Sudan particularly in Kassala state. Through the mutual cooperation, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Animal Production Research Centre and PENHA, pastoralists groups in Kassala benefited in various ways, such as obtaining new skills, knowledge and ideas.

1. 100 participants were trained in alternative fodder production skills. 25% of participants were women. Through the training of trainers programme, about a further 1,000 pastoralists have benefited from the programme
2. Through both training sessions, PENHA successfully introduced its idea to line ministries
3. PEAKS has now completed its registration with HAC and is actively working on pastoralist issues in Kassala state
4. A workshop for PEAKS in Khartoum was successfully completed
5. The Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Dr Intisar, attended the 2nd Kassala training which was held in October. In addition, currently we are working on producing a funding proposals focused on bee keeping, animal feeding, dairy, milk processing to contribute pastoralist livelihood in near future. The registration of the technical agreement is also on going along with these processes
6. The training module developed in Sudan was used in Western Eritrea in January 2009 and 220 pastoralists and farmers were trained

Picture shows one of participants using a better animal feeding practices which he learned from the training held by PENHA & APRC.

The following video, which lasts just under ten minutes, gives a summary of what happened in the workshop and the approach made by PENHA with the co-operation of the government, local academic institutions and others concerned to support pastoralists. It is necessary to have broadband (a fast internet connection) to view this video.

Economic Empowerment of Pastoral Women

Project Description

This project aims to empower women in pastoralist communities who are disadvantaged and living under difficult socio-economic conditions in arid and semi-arid areas. It is equipping women with business and production skills, and by promoting their access to rural finance providers (where these exist) as well as their access to markets, will help the beneficiaries to undertake new economic activities or expand existing ones and thereby increase their incomes. It is taking place in Uganda and Somaliland in addition to Sudan. The picture shows a women's group meeting which was organised by one of PENHA Sudan officers at Gulsa settlement in Kassala state.

Objectives

1. To equip women with the skills and knowledge needed to undertake new enterprises
2. To increase women's access to finance and markets
3. To advocate for positive micro-finance policies vis-a-vis women in pastoral areas as well as equitable access to credit
   

Activities

This project started December 2008, so the project is still in the initial stages. Following activities have been completed so far.

1. Identifying project implementation sites and women groups which were selected from three villages in Kassala State
2. Conducting action-oriented research: Mapping and obtaining data and information
3. Completing a needs assessment (April 2009)
4. The latter two activities have been published as a baseline study which can be downloaded as a pdf by clicking here (1,135 kb)
   

Achievements

Beneficiaries are so far, 40 women from 3 pastoral communities but there will be indirect beneficiaries of over 2,000 women. We aim at a maximum impact on womens groups living in Eastern Sudan through this project. Therefore beneficiaries will be expanded as widely as possible.

1. Identifying project implementation sites women groups were selected from three villages
2. Conducting action-oriented research: Mapping and obtaining data and information
3. Completing a need assessment (April 2009)

Kassala Nomadic Education Project

Project Description

This was a one year project with ambitious aims. It had a major practical aspect the growing of tree seedlings by the pupils in the three schools involved for sale to help in the regeneration of the local forests which have been seriously depleted. The other parts including the suggested development of literacy text books, the provision of games equipment and the holding of education workshops for parents, teachers, government officials and community leaders. In practice, this could not all be done. The main part, the development of the practical growing of tree seedlings, was a very considerable success. The volunteer who ran the project for PENHA said the following:

"There really was a new input to the curriculum. The project has demonstrated and proved the value of this practical part of the curriculum and the schools and pupils wanted to follow it."

The Nomadic Education Department of Kassala State supported this approach. There was strong support for the project. Social and Community leaders were very committed. They and the education department helped with the transport of materials for the tree growing nurseries. The value of the approach is shown by the interest that has been taken in the programme by a number of other schools in the area. It has integrated theory with practice for pupils and teachers. This is a fundamental pedagogic result which is particularly beneficial in a country where teaching in schools tends to be always very theoretical, even in basic or primary schools. The picture on the right hand side shows a nursery bed built by teachers and children and funded by the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.

Objectives

1. To increase the rate of enrolment of pastoralist children and to reduce the rate of drop-out
2. To develop and demonstrate relevant curriculum material
3. To provide the school with a sustainable income
4. To bring all parts of the community together in supporting children's education

Activities

1. Selection of three schools for the project
2. Recruitment of a teacher from each of the schools to be responsible for the seedling project at the school level, and to teach about the local environment including the importance of the local forest
3. To begin to provide and to develop literacy and numeracy material which is relevant for pastoralists
4. Building seedling plantation shelters with volunteers. Obtaining the tree seedlings material (seeds, earth, plastic bags, etc.) and teaching the children the whole process as well as selling the seedlings produced
5. Running workshops to bring pastoralist parents together with teachers, government administrators, etc. in the area of each school in order to develop support for the education of girls as well as boys and hear reaction to the project

Achievements

Project beneficiaries are 40 students in 3 different schools

1. Gulsa primary level school, 285 boys and 315 girls (the remotest one)
2. Amara primary school, 400 girls and 250 boys
3. Om Alkura primary school, 505 girls only

In addition to these, community members surrounding schools are also beneficiaries

1. Students who was involved in taking care of plants gained knowledge and skills to grow plants as well as learning how to work together with other students
2. Teachers developing material regarding seed planting as part of their training All three teachers completed their own training. Three to four cycles of the purchase of seeds, soil, plastic bags, etc. followed by planting and growing the seedlings until they could be sold and replanted were completed in each school.
   
3. Regular monitoring took place. Sales and use of seedlings were accomplished
   
4. Communities surrounding the school worked together with them
   

General Activities

(Institutional collaboration, research /publications, sustainability/fund raising and exchange visits)

Collaboration with the Sudan University for Science and Technology

In May 2008 PENHA signed a five year collaboration agreement with the Sudan University for Science and Technology (SUST) where the PENHA Sudan office will be located.

During 2008 we organised several training sessions on fund raising, networking and gave a lecture on development related issues to senior staff and students at the University under the auspices of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production (CVMAP). In all 160 people benefited.

All our outcomes and findings from training were shared with College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production (in Sudan University Science and Technology which accommodated PENHAs office. PENHA works closely with the College in order to share knowledge to contribute to improving pastoralists livelihood.

As an initial stage of collaboration, PENHA Sudan and University have started preparing proposals for beekeeping, milk processing and so on. Experts from the university and project staff from PENHA will work together. PENHA and university believe that this mutual collaboration will contribute to more efficient and effective approach in project implementation.

PENHA and the University are in the process of developing detailed proposals for future collaboration and will be raising funds jointly from a number of donors.

Collaboration with Animal Production Research Centre of the Ministry of Science and Technology

The first phase of this initial collaboration during 2007-2008 included research on alternative animal feed, prosopis juliflora (Muskit) and developing training packages for pastoralits in the Sudan and Eritrea has come to a successful end. A large number of pastoralists in Eastern Sudan have benefited from the programme intervention. PENHA and Animal Production Research Centre are now in the process of evaluating the programme and hope to develop future programmes based on this experience. A joint publication on the research findings is also in the process of publication and will be widely dissemanated in the Sudan and Horn countries during this year.

Support of Community Based Organisations

PENHA Sudan supported the establishment a new Community Based Organisation called Pastoralist Environment Associationa in Kassala State (PEAKS). PEAKS is an organisation established by mainly participants of training sessions which took place in Kassala State. It is based in Kassala state and has 20 committee members and a total of 50 members. Its plan is to increase its memberships up to 3,000 and cover the whole state. PEAKS and PENHA agreed to work closely to improve livelihoods of pastoralist in Eastern Sudan. The picture on the right hand side shows the first official meeting. In order to support it further, PENHA held a capacity building workshop for PEAKS during January 2009 in Khartoum with the aim of strengthening its organisational management capacity. It introduced PEAKS to new technology in animal feeding through organising a visit to the Animal Production Research Centre. The PEAKS representatives were introduced to line ministers to enable them to introduce their new association to relevant authorities.

Research and publications

A variety of publications produced by PENHA and other institutions  related to pastoralism and dry land issues in the Horn Africa were distribiuted to Line Ministries, researchers, academics and NGO personnel in Sudan.More than 750 such publiactions were donated by PENHA.

Two key publications will be published and disseminated by PENHA during this year. These are :

1. Evaluation of Prosopis (juliflora) pods and leaves as a ruminant feed in the in the Sudan By: H. AbuEissa; T. Mirghani; N. Hamid; A. Mabrouk; M. Elmahi; Z. Fre; H. Bokrezion (PENHA and APRC-MOST)2009.
2. The impact of increased food prices on rural-urban-rural relationships. The case of Eastern Sudan. By: Zeremariam Fre (PhD) Mirghani Ibnoaf (PhD) , and Hiroshi Kuwata (MSc) Researcher (PENHA-IIED)

Sustainability and Fund raising

PENHA is an African led and African sponsored organisation  and depends primarily of the good will of its volunteers as well as professional staff. We are very grateful to the University for allowing PENHA to have free accommodation within the auspices of the SUST and this greatly enhances our sustainability. In terms of funding PENHA has already secured funding from Novib, FAO, and MRDF and has been able to internally raise funds for the gender programme. We are also approaching a number of other donors like UNDPA, IFAD, JICA, Arab funders and others.

Networking and Exchange visits (Uganda, Eritrea and UK)

PENHA is a regional organisation connected to all the countries of the Horn and it promotes mutual exchanges of knowledge and expertise within the Horn. During 2008-2009 one animal feed resources expert from Sudan visited Eritrea and Uganda to share experiences with neighbouring countries. Two PENHA staff from the PENHA international office worked for several months with PENHA Sudan and Sudanese partners.

Current Local Partners

• Animal Production Research Centre (APRC)
  
• Pastoralist Environment Association in Kassala State (PEAKS)
• Sudan University Science and Technology (SUST)
  

PENHA Sudan Office

Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production

Sudan University of Science and Technology 

Hirat Kuku

Karthoum North

Sudan

Related Link

Sudan Country Studies
Sudan Net

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