A Review of the Swaziland National Action Programme to Combat Desertification and a Strategy for Implementation

Contents | 1 Introduction | 2 Analysis and assessment of the National Action Programme | 3 Review of other programmes relevant to NAP | 4 Review of Studies Commissioned By NSCD | 5 The NAP implementation strategy for priority programmes | 6 Fund Raising Strategy | Appendices

Chapter 3 - Review of other programmes relevant to NAP

The NAP gives a list of government and NGO programmes which address issues of desertification that were identified by Downing and Zuke (1996).

This review presents an overview of the status of these programmes.

3.1 OVERVIEW OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES

A total of 13 programmes are listed, which can be grouped and reviewed as follows:

3.1.1 Rural Development Programmes

3.1.1.1 Rural Development Area Programme (RDAP)

This programme was designed to improve the income and general well being of Swazi farmers by providing rural infrastructure, services, crop production inputs, livestock management and land consolidation. It was also aimed at relieving grazing pressures on communal land through increased marketing and cattle fattening schemes and planned to improve soil conservation through mechanical terracing of slopes. The overall output was to provide a new agricultural development structure spatially in the country by means of extension areas.

It did not cover the whole country as was aimed at reducing overgrazing and only 20% of target soil conservation measures were achieved. The programme was not sustainable as terraces were not maintained partly because farmers were not consulted during planning or implementation and there was too much reliance on heavy machinery that was not readily available to most farmers.

The programme was initiated in 1974 and lasted until 1982. It is not clear whether this programme is still on-going. The RDAP is considered by NAP to have achieved only questionable progress.

3.1.1.2 Rural Resettlement Programme

The Rural Resettlement Programme focused primarily on resettling farm dwellers at Paradys and Henwood farms - presently government farms.

It was initiated in 1998 and is on-going.

Conflicts with chiefs have arisen and local conservation committees have been inefficient due to misunderstandings and poorly defined roles.

The programme was aimed at developing land use plans that were to guide the best utilisation of land, improving productivity of land by correcting the mismatch of land use and land suitability, reducing land degradation through undertaking sustainable land use practices related to animal husbandry and implementing infrastructure development on resettled areas.

FAO has provided assistance, in a first phase in 1997, in developing a Resettlement Policy with appropriate legal and institutional framework.

The NAP raises concern about the results the resettlement programme, which was meant to address the issue of land allocations in rural areas. The formulation of a resettlement policy appears to have been reactivated recently through the creation of a cross-sectoral committee administered by MOAC.

3.1.1.3 Rational Utilisation of Resources Programme

The Land Use Planning for Rational Utilisation of Land and Water Resources project was initiated in 1992 and completed in 1995. It was followed by a second project on Improving Land Use on Swazi Nation Land, which was initiated in 1996 and completed in 1998.

The objectives of the first project were to establish a computerised natural resources databases, a land evaluation system, enhance technical competence of MOAC land use planners, develop the Actual Erosion and Land Degradation Assessment System (AELDA) and outline a national land use plan. and develop land use plans.

The objectives of the second project were to make land use plans for selected areas in the Upper Middleveld in order to rehabilitate land, rationalise land use and rearrange settlement patterns.

The results of these two projects are very relevant to the NAP programme area, in particular to land management and land rehabilitation activities. It is not known whether there are any follow-up activities, using the databases and planning methodology developed by these two related projects.

3.1.1.4 Earth Dam Rehabilitation and Construction

There were two phases to this programme: Earth Dam Rehabilitation and Construction and Maintenance - Phase I and the Earth Dam Rehabilitation and Construction Programme - Phase II

During phase I small and medium sized earth dams in the Lowveld and lower Middleveld of Swaziland were rehabilitated to improve domestic and livestock water supply in rural areas and mitigate the effects of drought. The dames were fenced to keep cattle and vehicles out and preventative erosion stone structures and planting Vetiver grass were undertaken to control erosion. The project was initiated in 1989 and completed in 1992.

The second phase built on the progress of the first phase and 14 small earth dames were rehabilitated. In addition the project provided technical assistance for soil and water conservation management. A dam management training programme was completed in conjunction with MOAC. The project was initiated in 1996 and was completed in 2000.

3.1.1.5 Development of Water Supply and Sanitation in Rural Areas

This programme is aimed at combating disease and the promotion of hygienic water consumption and practices. It also aimed at uplifting the standard of living in rural areas and to mitigate the effects of drought. The programme is ongoing and is considered to be successful in implementation. The programme is aimed at improving infrastructure and thereby providing alternative livelihood options.

3.1.2 Grazing and Livestock Programmes

All these projects were initiated a long time ago. The general progress is considered limited by NAP. These programmes are relevant to NAP, but require reactivation to make an impact.

3.1.2.1 Grazing Land Management Demonstration Areas

This programme/project is on-going and was developed to introduce controlled grazing (by a group of farmers) within a small block (100-300 ha) of the total grazing area in communal grazing areas. IT was also intended to instil a sense of ownership so as to safeguard against trespassers and to demonstrate the potential for increasing both range and livestock production in communal areas.

In 1988 there were 11 GMDA’s in various stages of development and in 1995 only 4 GMDA’s were functioning. Shortcomings in the project have been identified as a lack of effective animal production and range management extension, lack of transport for staff to provide assistance and shortage of land has been cited as a limiting factor.

3.1.2.2 Fattening Ranches and SISA Ranches Scheme

This programme, which dates back to the 1940’s, is on-going.

It was initially established by government through the ‘Lifa Fund’ to purchase more land from non-Swazi landlords to expand grazing land, relieve pressure on SNL grazing lands hence reduce overgrazing and produce good quality livestock for marketing purposes.

The ranches are mainly utilised by a small sector of the population and have been shown to be expensive and counterproductive as they did not empower communities to solve grazing problems and government has suffered from limited capacity to supervise farms.

3.1.2.3 Intensive Livestock Production Systems Programme

This programme, initiated in 1996, was designed to relieve pressure on SNL by identifying appropriate intensive livestock production systems to increase farmer’s income. It was also to construct/rehabilitate rural sale yards to provide the necessary infrastructure to enable marketing of cattle to take place.

The programme is on-going but appears to have failed to address the issue of grazing pressure since the sale of cattle is still at the prerogative of the farmer.

3.1.2.4 Livestock Sub-sector Review and Vegetation

This programme, executed by FAO, was completed in 1994, and its results have been incorporated in the Livestock Development Policy.

3.1.3 Forestry related programmes

3.1.3.1 Management of Indigenous Forest and Wattle Plantations

This project was targeted at environmental conservation of indigenous forest products and reduction of deforestation. It also planned to rehabilitate wattle stands and improve wattle management. It also plans to establish the possible effects of fast growing trees as buffer zones on water resources and growth of indigenous trees.

The project was initiated in 1996 and is on-going.

The management of indigenous forests has not been initiated due to man power shortages.

3.1.3.2 Forest Nurseries

This project was initiated in 1990 and appears to be on-going.

The project aimed at establishing nurseries in Ntonjeni, Luve, Mathlangatja, Ludzeludze, Malkerns and southern RDA to provide trees to combat fire wood deficits in these areas. The project is aimed on fast growing tree species and indigenous tree species.

These two programmes are ongoing and very relevant to NAP. All forestry programmes are currently being reviewed in the course of the formulation of the forest policy. The National Forest Action Plan (NFAP) will determine priority programmes for implementation. NAP should establish close relationship with the NFAP and follow up on newly identified priorities.

3.1.4 Swaziland Environment Action Plan

This is a very relevant programme, but is in fact the umbrella Programme of NAP itself. Refer to section 1.3.2.3.2 for detailed information of this plan.

3.1.5 Komati River Basin Development

This large-scale and multi-sectoral rural development scheme is the subject to a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and as such all land and land use issues will be addressed within the various mitigation plans developed as part of that process.

3.2 GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES

The programmes described above were initially used to identify possible implementation routes or work plans to carry out the various NAP implementation activities. The list of government programmes related to desertification as presented in the NAP, appears not to be comprehensive and many programmes and or projects that existed at the time of NAP formulation could have been mentioned. Additional projects and programmes have been identified including the results from corresponding studies, notably a recent land degradation study (JICA/ECS, 1999). A list of these programmes and projects is presented in Appendix 5.

An important programme not mentioned in the NAP is the Promotion of Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (UNDP/GOS) of which several components are highly relevant to the NAP. This programme was initiated in 1998 and will run until the end of 2000. The programme consists of four components, each with two Programme Support Objectives.

The components most relevant to the NAP are (1) Participation and Information for Sustainable Livelihoods, and (3) Sustainable Management of Natural Resources. The programme support objectives in particular are relevant to 4 of the 14 identified NAP programmes (see chapter 2).

In the latest programme reporting, covering the period till December 1999, progress in all components is considered satisfactory, although some delays are mentioned. It is not known whether any of these components are to be continued beyond 2000, as a new UNDP cycle will start. However, it can not be excluded that upon request, some of the more successful components of that programme can be continued.

As reported, several of the government programmes have been completed and as such cannot be used a vehicle for NAP implementation. Others are still on-going so it is possible that such programmes could be used to transfer CCD and NAP related activities into those programmes. Appropriate consultation with programme managers would be required to facilitate this transfer. For some programmes it appears that they have stalled or are in a stage of flux. The CCD Coordinating Unit and subsequently the overall implementation of the NAP, would benefit from consulting with these programme managers to seek clarification and possibly attempt to re-activate such programmes.

In general terms, the NAP notes poor participation of communities in the design and implementation of the programmes. The NAP also observes that very little is done about the rehabilitation of degraded land, and limited only to few areas. Concern is also expressed in the NAP about the apparent duplication of efforts between ministries or departments and within the same ministry or department. Examples include the Rural Development Area Programme, Grazing Management Programme, Intensive Livestock Production Systems Programme, and Rural Water Supply programmes. The NAP further notes that there is need to consolidate resources in those programmes that are closely related to avoid duplication.

In summary, most of the above listed government programmes are out of date or poorly functioning. The CCD Coordinating Unit (or NSCD) should critically follow subsequent implementation of the still existing programmes and establish close relationships, in particular with the programmes related to environment, land planning, and management of forest and rangelands. For new projects and programmes it will be very critical that CCD concerns are incorporated into the overall design of these new programmes.

Of the still ‘on-going’ government programmes, the livestock programmes, rural water and the forestry projects are considered as suitable vehicles to implement the corresponding NAP programme areas.

3.3 NGO PROGRAMMES

The NGO executed programmes as indicated in the NAP cover a wide variety of activities, and are executed by a large number of NGOs (details in NAP). Apart from the listed projects, NGOs also conduct workshops on environmental awareness, soil management, water management, livestock management, crop production, etc. The key organisations in these workshops are the Council of Swaziland Churches, the Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society, the Lutheran Development Service and Yonge Nawe. The programmes are grouped as follows, although some could fit more than one group. For instance, the introduction of ostriches could also fall under alternative sources of income, but the primary objective listed is that of control of grass growth and bush encroachment.

3.3.1 Rural Development Programmes

  1. Homestead and Community Gardens and Orchards

  2. Rainwater Harvesting

  3. Domestic Water Supply & Spring Protection

3.3.2 Grazing and Livestock Programmes

  1. Improvement of Grazing Lands

  2. Protection of Grazing Lands

  3. Rotational Grazing

  4. Feedlots

3.3.3 Forestry related programmes

  1. Community Woodlots

3.3.4 Soil conservation and land rehabilitation

  1. Donga and Land Reclamation

  2. Terracing

  3. Introduction of Ostriches

3.3.5 Food security and alternative sources of income

  1. Drying and Processing of Food Products

  2. Grain Storage

  3. Sunflower Oil Extraction

  4. Poultry Keeping

  5. Candle Making

  6. Retail Shop

The NAP notes that, with the exception of the Swaziland Farmer Development Foundation, community participation is not clearly stated in most NGO projects. The NAP emphasises this important aspect of project development and implementation, and points out that NGOs have the responsibility to assist communities in the implementation of other projects rather than concentrating on pre-funded or aid-driven projects.

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This page was last updated on 06 May 2003