Degraded woodlands, restored through community action
Soldecom Agro works with village institutions to restore degraded woodland while introducing alternative livelihoods. The programme combines assisted natural regeneration, sustainable forest management, and strengthened forest governance with aquaculture in community‑managed fish ponds. The goal is to reduce pressure on remaining forests and build climate resilience through diversified income — fish farming, biochar, and restored land.
Carbon forestry, woodland restoration & fish farming
Assisted natural regeneration Village committees protect regenerating native trees on degraded patches. Enrichment planting with drought‑tolerant species accelerates canopy recovery. Carbon revenues support community funds and create incentives for long‑term stewardship.
Forest governance systems Participatory land‑use planning clarifies user rights and strengthens local enforcement against illegal harvesting. Forest management plans are co‑developed with village natural resource committees, ensuring transparency and equity.
Aquaculture & fish farming Perennial and seasonal water sources are used for community‑managed fish ponds (tilapia and catfish). Fish farming provides protein for local consumption and a source of cash income, reducing reliance on forest products and bushmeat.
Watershed & aquaculture integration Fish ponds are integrated with watershed protection: pond maintenance includes planting trees along watercourses, stabilising soils, and improving water retention in the landscape. Nutrient‑rich pond silt is used in home gardens.
Climate‑smart land use – restoration, fish, biochar, and governance form a coherent package for semi‑arid resilience.
Employment & skills: Forest restoration work (nurseries, planting, patrolling) creates seasonal employment for local youth and women. Training in climate‑smart agriculture, fish farming, and biochar production builds long‑term capacity. More than 200 households already participate in pilot restoration groups.
Biochar, soil & clean energy: Farmers learn to produce biochar from crop residues, improving soil fertility while reducing biomass burning. Small‑scale clean energy technologies (efficient cookstoves, biochar stoves) lower pressure on woodlands and reduce indoor air pollution.
Strengthened community resilience to climate variability: restored woodlands regulate microclimate, reduce erosion, and provide dry‑season grazing and non‑timber products. Integrated fish ponds offer protein and income when crops fail — a vital safety net in semi‑arid Kaliuwa.
Participatory governance & benefit sharing: All interventions are designed with village assemblies and land committees. Benefit‑sharing from carbon projects and fish sales follows transparent rules; women hold leadership roles in pond management and nursery groups. This ensures ownership beyond project cycles.