The general objective of this project is to promote livestock intensification though the adoption of climate smart production practices and green technologies that will seek to enhance the resilience, productivity and promote GHG reduction of the livestock industry. This project is scaling out on the lessons learnt from an IDB/MIF funded project ?Improving Livestock Productivity and Climate Resilience in Belize - ATN/ME-16402-BL?, implemented by the BLPA. Farm assessment were done at the initial stages of the project, and analysis showed at least 60% of pasture degradation. Thus, key elements brought forward from the IDB/MIF project is the use of improved pasture rotation, establishment of silvopastoral system and forage banks as a source of supplemental feeding, to improve overall farm productivity and reduce pasture degradation. One main activity to be done is the transformation of at least 10 acres of participating farms into silvopastoral systems, using Leucaena SP (a legume) as main protein source. The main mechanism to ensure success is the use of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) with at least 25 farmers per FFS. The FFS is a participative bottom-up approach to extension. One FFS will be established in the Dump Area of Toledo, one FFS in Red Bank, Stann Creek and one FFS in the Saint Margaret Village in the Cayo District.
To complement these trainings and farm transformations, the BLPA model farm will be upgraded to a full silvopastoral integrated farm, and be used as trainings grounds for some of the FFS activities. Three breeding bulls will be purchased by the project and incorporated into the farm improvement program developed within the FFS. It?s the objective of this program to improve the genetics of the FFS herds by at 50% in the 2 years after its implementation. By doing this, the farmers will be equipped with the necessary tools, genetic materials, and farm conditions to increase their herds by at least 50% and thus ensuring an increase in their income earnings and overall improvement in their livelihoods.
The management practices adopted through the project, will also detain land degradation, promote biodiversity through the planting of forest/fruit trees
This project is aligned with strategic objective Sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and food security 3) Remove deforestation from supply chain and expanded restoration of degraded lands. And country priority Support capacity building initiatives in climate smart agricultural production and agro-forestry.
It can also contribute to 6,000 hectares of degraded agricultural lands restored (hectares).