Grant no. 517-0247-G-00-2108-00 -- Pan American Development Foundation

PADF will work with the municipal development association, Asociacion Para el Desarrollo de San Jose de Ocoa (ADESJO), in implementing the project. The project will have six components. (1) The project will fund community agroforestry irrigation systems to reduce erosion on a total of 18,000 tareas. These systems will include: barriers against erosion and drainage; irrigation; reforestation near water sources; reforestation of soil not well suited for cultivation; and incorporation of perennial plants and trees as part of an agroforestry economic system. (2) The project will promote commercial reforestation with fast growing species on lands not suitable for annual crops. This component will have a modest target (7,000 tareas), due to the existing insecurity of investing in forestry, which is due in turn to arbitrary application of rules and procedures for harvesting trees. (3) The project will make investments in irrigation systems, infrastructure, marketing equipment, and reforestation, and will provide agricultural credit through other ADESJO programs. This component will evaluate the economic feasibility of investments and provide TA and training in marketing and production to 1,200 farmers of annual crops, and TA in marketing to 400 participants in the commercial reforestation program. (4) The project will organize and train 30 Irrigation Committees and 30 Environmental Vigilance Committees. The former will be responsible for managing irrigation works, the latter for monitoring tree cutting and illegal burning. The 60 committees will represent a combined total of 2,700 farm families. (5) The project will start a daily radio program to broadcast agricultural prices from the central market in Santo Domingo. (6) The project will strengthen ADESJO through the development of policies and management systems and through training of ADESJO staff and Board.