MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT _____________________________________________ ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK _____________________________________________ Prepared by: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Maseru Lesotho April 14, 2011 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized
Transcript
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
_____________________________________________
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
_____________________________________________
Prepared by: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Maseru Lesotho April 14, 2011
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................................................... VI
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................ VII
1.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMF ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................ 2 1.4 FORMAT OF THE REPORT......................................................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER TWO: DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ......................................................................................................5
2.1 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 PROJECT DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS .......................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 2.3 PROJECT STRUCTURE ............................................................................................................................................... 5 2.4 POSSIBLE GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INTERVENTION AND TARGET GROUPS. .............................................................. 6
CHAPTER THREE: POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ....................................................................6
CHAPTER EIGHT: MONITORING PLAN ............................................................................................................... 50
8.1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 50 8.2 AREAS TO BE MONITORED ..................................................................................................................................... 50
8.2.1 Soils ................................................................................................................................................................. 50 8.2.2 Vegetation ...................................................................................................................................................... 50 8.2.3 Loss of natural and cultural heritage ............................................................................................................. 50 8.2.4 Wildlife ........................................................................................................................................................... 50 8.2.5 Marginal lands/fragile ecosystems ................................................................................................................ 50 8.2.6 Chemical pollution .......................................................................................................................................... 50 8.2.7 Water resources ............................................................................................................................................. 50 8.2.8 Ambient air quality ......................................................................................................................................... 51 8.2.9 Socio-Cultural Issues ....................................................................................................................................... 51 8.2.10 Noise and Vibrations ..................................................................................................................................... 51
8.3 GENERAL................................................................................................................................................................ 51 8.4 THE MONITORING PLAN ........................................................................................................................................ 52
CHAPTER NINE: TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ........................................................................................ 55
9.1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS. ..................................................................................... 55 9.2 ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED TRAINING ACTIVITIES OF STAKEHOLDERS. ................................................................ 55 9.3 PROPOSED APPROACH IN EXECUTING THE TRAINING ACTIVITIES ......................................................................... 57 9.4 SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES..................................................... 58
CHAPTER TEN: GUIDELINES FOR SUB-PROJECT SCREENING, APPRAISAL, APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION .. 59
10.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................... 59 10.2 DESK APPRAISAL ................................................................................................................................................... 59 10.3 REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND FIELD APPRAISAL .................................................................................... 60 10.4 APPRAISAL AND APPROVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORK .................................................................................... 61 10.5 PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE .............................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. 10.6 ANNUAL MONITORING AND REVIEWS ................................................................................................................. 61 10.7 SUMMARY OF THE SCREENING PROCESS ............................................................................................................. 62
APPENDIX 1 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SCREENING FORM .................................................................................. 65
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APPENDIX 2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL FIELD APPRAISAL FORM ......................................................................... 70 APPENDIX 3 GUIDELINES FOR AN ESMP ....................................................................................................................... 73 APPENDIX 4 GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL REVIEWS ........................................................................................................ 75 APPENDIX 5 GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL REPORT .......................................................................................................... 77 APPENDIX 6 SUMMARY OF WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARD POLICIES. ............................. 79 APPENDIX 7 SUMMARY OF IFAD ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARD POLICIES. ............................................ 81 APPENDIX 8 CONSULTED STAKEHOLDERS .................................................................................................................... 85 APPENDIX 9 CONTRACT PROVISIONS: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ......................................................... 89 APPENDIX 10 PEST MANAGEMENT .................................................................................................................................... 93 APPENDIX 11 TYPICAL SUB-PROJECT ESMPS .............................................................................................................. 105
TABLES
Table 4.1 Agro-ecological characteristics and production opportunities (GoL, 2010) ........................... 19 Table 4.2 Rainfall Data (Source: Lesotho Meteorology Services) .................................................. 20 Table 4.3 Botha Bothe site ............................................................................................... 22 Table 4.4 Leribe sites ...................................................................................................... 23 Table 4.5 Berea sites ...................................................................................................... 23 Table 4.6 Mafeteng sites .................................................................................................. 24 Table 5.1 Matrix of typical project activities and environments impacted. ........................................ 26 Table 5.2 Significance rating table ....................................................................................... 31 Table 5.3 Significance rating of potential Impacts .................................................................... 32 Table 6.1 Analysis of alternatives ....................................................................................... 40 Table 7.1 Environmental Management Plan ........................................................................... 44 Table 7.2 Stakeholder Identification Matrix ............................................................................ 49 Table 8.1: Monitoring Activities and Indicators .......................................................................... 52 Table 9.1 Summary of Capacity Building Requirements and Cost Estimates. ................................... 56 Table 10.1 Criteria for Requiring a Field Appraisal ................................................................... 61
FIGURES Figure 1 Map of Lesotho ................................................................................................... 6 Figure 2 Lesotho Agro-Ecological Zones .............................................................................. 18 Figure 3 Flow for sub-projects identification, submission, evaluation and monitoring. ......................... 63
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AEZ Agro Ecological Zone ASS Agriculture Sector Strategy DAO District Agricultural officer DAR Directorate of Agricultural Research DC District Commissioner DEAP District Environmental Action Plan DPPA Directorate of Planning and Policy Analysis EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Study EMP Environmental Management Plan ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan GA Grazing Associations GDP Gross Domestic Product GOL Government of Lesotho HIV Human Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus IDA International Development Agency IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MAFS Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security MDG Millennium Development Goals MFLR Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation MFDP Ministry of Finance and Development Planning MLGC Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship MTEC Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Culture MTCIM Ministry of Trade & Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing NAC National Aids Council NEP National Environmental Policy NFAP National Forestry Action Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organisation PC Project Coordinator PCU Programme Coordination Unit PDO Programme Development Objective PRS Poverty Reduction Strategy RAP Resettlement Action Plan ARAP Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan RMA Range Management Areas RPF Resettlement Policy Framework SADP Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme SADPMA Sustainable Agricultural Development Project in the Mountain Areas SFR State Forestry Reserve SIL Specific Investment Loan. SPFS Sustainable Programme of Food Security STI Sexually Transmitted Illnesses SWACAP Soil and Water Conservation and Agro-forestry Project TA Technical Assistance / Assistant (according to context) VGA Village Grazing Areas
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Government of Lesotho is seeking a credit from the International Development Agency (IDA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the development of a Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme (SADP), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). The SADP will support a range of sub-projects to be identified by potential beneficiaries that will address commercialisation of smallholder agriculture and contribute towards sustainably increasing smallholder productivity. The proposed Smallholder Agricultural Development Program comprises the following components; (i) Component 1: Commercialization of Smallholder Agriculture, (ii) Component 2: Sustainably Improving Smallholder Productivity and (iii) Component 3: Program Management. Components 1 and 2 consist of agricultural activities which may have a bearing on physical and social environments, hence the need to prepare an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). The ESMF was prepared because the actual location and design of sub-projects have not been decided upon and hence the nature and magnitude of the potential impacts would not be known by project appraisal stage. It was further prepared to fulfill the World Bank safeguard policies, the IFAD Environment and Social Assessment Procedures and the Lesotho Environmental Management legislative requirements. A Policy and legal review of Lesotho legislation established that the agricultural system is supported by a host of laws and regulations for the protection of humans and the natural environment at large. Among them the Lesotho Environment Act, (2001) establishes the Department of Environment as the lead agency in environmental protection. The Department in turn has established Environmental Units within the line Ministries to further institutionalize its functions nationwide. It has also given the line Ministries the responsibilities of protecting the environment in the course of their duties. On the other hand the World Bank Environmental Safeguards Policies and IFAD Environment and Social Assessment Procedures require some measures to be taken to protect the physical environment from all forms of degradation and to prevent potential social impacts. The principal aims of this ESMF is to identify and evaluate potential environmental and social impacts associated with the Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme activities and to provide mitigation measures for such impacts. The ESMF also provides a framework for screening environmental issues for all possible agricultural activities that will be undertaken under each sub-project. It establishes a unified process for addressing all environmental and social safeguards issues in sub-projects from preparation, through review and approval, to implementation. Lesotho is predominantly mountainous, with the mountain zone covering approximately 65% of the total land area. This land is mostly characterised by steep slopes with fragile soil formations which are extensively degraded. Only 9% of Lesotho‘s land is arable and over 80% of this is found in the lowlands, where it is not used for agriculture only, but for other purposes such as housing. A survey of a representative sample of potential smallholder agricultural activities in the four selected programme districts (Botha Bothe, Leribe, Berea and Mafeteng), was carried out and revealed that the four districts are mainly in the lowlands and foothills. They typically have rich black soils or sandy loams in the valleys where the major agricultural activities occur.
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It is envisaged that project activities will generate several environmental and social impacts from planning, through implementation, as well as during operation. This is because the agricultural activities may involve some amount of civil works, abstraction and use of natural resources such as water, depletion of forest resources and from interaction of various people within the project location area. The activities will also generate impacts that may result in incidences of water-borne and water related diseases, pollution by agro-chemicals and degradation and salinization of soil. Consequently, several environmental components would be affected in one way on the other by such activities.
The identified potential impacts where then analysed and mitigation measures /or environmental management plans were proposed. The lead implementing Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), with the help of relevant authorities will monitor the potential environmental impacts and compliance with proposed mitigation measures. The monitoring is an important part of managing impacts from the project. It is recommended that MAFS should nominate an independent team of experts that would monitor the implementation of the recommendations of this report. The monitoring team should comprise experts from relevant sectors.
Successful implementation of the project activities will require dynamic and multi-disciplinary professionals. Therefore, regular short and tailor made training courses and seminars will be required to reinforce the capacity and skills of the stakeholders and farmers throughout the entire project period. Training and seminars will also be required for building capacity and awareness on social and environmental issues for the project including effects of deforestation and HIV/AIDS. The farmers will be encouraged to select the most environmentally suitable sites for the activities. The selection of a site for an agro industrial facility is dependent on a number of economic, ecologic and socio-political concerns regardless of the product manufactured or processed. The main areas with options for minimizing the potential negative environmental impacts are in the size of agricultural activity, siting of the activities, and operational methods to be employed. Each sub-project should consider all possible alternatives and must undergo the whole screening process to minimise any associated impacts.
In general the preparation of the ESMF comprised the following aspects: (i) establishment of baseline bio-physical and socio-economic conditions, (ii) review of policy, regulations, institutional framework, (iii) assessment of potential environmental impacts, (iv) assessment of potential social impacts, (iv) analysis of alternatives, (v) assessment of capacity building requirements, (vi) preparation of the environmental mitigation plan and a monitoring plan, and (vii) providing guidelines for preparation, appraisal, approval and implementation of sub-projects. Thus the ESMF ensures that the substantive concerns of the relevant World Bank safeguard policies, the IFAD Environment and Social Assessment Procedures and the Lesotho legislation will be taken into account during the implementation of the selected agricultural activities.
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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION The Government of Lesotho is seeking a credit from the International Development Agency (IDA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the development of a Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme (SADP), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS). The project will be implemented over a period of six years in four selected districts (Botha Bothe, Leribe, Berea and Mafeteng). The SADP will support a range of sub-projects to be identified by potential beneficiaries that will address commercialisation of smallholder agriculture and contribute towards sustainably increasing smallholder productivity.
The proposed Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme comprises three components as follows: (i) Component 1: Commercialization of Smallholder Agriculture, (ii) Component 2: Sustainably Improving Smallholder Productivity, and (iii) Component 3: Programme Management. Components 1 and 2 will include agricultural activities which could have negative impacts on the natural and social environments, hence the need to prepare an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is to be implemented by the SADP in order to ensure that all environmental and social safeguard issues are adequately addressed and that the requisite capacity building and training needs are met in order for the recommended measures to be effectively implemented.
The main purpose of the ESMF is to:
Establish clear procedures and methodologies for the environmental and social assessment, review, approval and implementation of investments to be financed under SADP;
Specify appropriate roles and responsibilities, and outline the necessary reporting procedures, for managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns related to project investments;
Determine the training, capacity building and technical assistance needed to successfully implement the provisions of the ESMF;
establish the project funding required to implement the ESMF requirements; Provide practical information resources for implementing the ESMF.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMF This ESMF was prepared because the location, design and magnitude of impacts of the eventual sub-projects would not be known at project appraisal stage, even though the types of potential subprojects would be fairly well defined. The ESMF, therefore, provides a guide for the integration of environmental and social considerations into the planning and implementation of the proposed agriculture related project activities. It further provides a basis for environmental assessments of all sub-projects to be financed under the SADP. The ESMF focuses on the nature and extent of significant adverse environmental impacts that may result from any rehabilitating, up-scaling, replication and development of new agricultural activities. The ESMF also serves as a framework for screening environmental issues for all possible agricultural activities that will be undertaken. It establishes a unified process for addressing all environmental and social safeguard issues for sub-projects from
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preparation, through review and approval, to implementation. The ESMF also describes a process that will ensure that the substantive concerns of the relevant World Bank Safeguard Policies and Lesotho legislation are addressed during the implementation of the selected agricultural activities. 1.3 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY The focus of the assignment was to highlight the potential environmental and social impacts for the planned future activities of the project, and recommend a management plan for addressing potential negative impacts. In order to achieve these targets, the basic tenet of the strategy involved a high degree of consultations with the various stakeholders. The rationale of these extensive consultations was to take into account views from a cross section of potential beneficiaries and other stakeholders, at least from local level, district level, and central government level.
The strategies of executing this assignment followed the five steps: (a) Review existing conditions of the existing agricultural activities, and provide an
assessment of their status and operation levels. (b) Review of typical implementation approach and processes for the proposed up-
scaling and development activities within the smallholder agricultural sector. (c) Identification and analysis of potential environmental and social impacts the
implementation processes will likely trigger and generate within and around the up-scaled agricultural activities.
(d) Development of screening process for negative impacts for proposed project sites and project activities.
(e) Identification of appropriate mitigation measures for the predicted impacts and compilation of a management plan for addressing environmental and social impacts during implementation, operation and maintenance of the project activities.
The ESMF study was conducted on the premise that key project activities will entail among other issues, (i) renovation/refurbishment of agricultural facilities, and (ii) supply, installation and commissioning of agricultural equipment and machinery. The study was then prepared in accordance with applicable World Bank safeguard policies and Lesotho environmental impact assessment guidelines. The distinct phases of the study include:
• Data Gathering; • Literature review; • Reconnaissance Surveys and visits to potential sub-projects sites; • Characterization of the baseline conditions; • Identification of potential impacts; • Identification of impact mitigation measures; • Preparation of an Environmental and Social Management Plan; and • Preparation of sub-project guidelines
The consultant assembled and evaluated relevant baseline data related to the physical, biological and socio-economic environment of the country through a number of research methods, which include field surveys, and investigations, stakeholder consultations, review of related literature from published and unpublished documents:
(i) Field surveys. The consultants undertook site investigations and field surveys to selected districts between October 18 and 30, 2010. The consultants visited Botha Bothe, Leribe,
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Beria and Mafeteng districts. The field surveys enabled the consultants to identify the environmental setting of the agricultural activities, identify some of the existing physical conditions and gaps within the programmes. In addition, the site visits allowed consultations with district agricultural officers, ground level staff such as the agricultural extension staff and potential project beneficiaries on their understanding of the current problems, as well the potential impacts of the proposed up-scaling and subsequent operations.
(ii) Stakeholder consultations. A series of stakeholder consultations were conducted throughout the study period. Some of the consultations were round table discussions and/ or focus group discussions. A questionnaire was also administered during the consultations. The following stakeholders were consulted:
Officials in the relevant Government Ministries o (i) Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), o (ii) Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), o (iii) Ministry of Forestry and land Reclamation (MFLR), o (iv) Ministry of Trade & Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing (MTCIM), o (v) Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship (MLGC). o (vi) Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Culture (MTEC)
MAFS District Staff.
Potential programme beneficiaries o farmer groups, o farmer associations, o smallholder farmers,
The NGO community 1.4 FORMAT OF THE REPORT This framework is organized in nine chapters:-
Chapter One provides background information to the proposed Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme (SADP). It outlines the objectives of the Environmental and Social Management Framework, and the approach and methodology that was taken in developing the framework.
Chapter Two provides an overview of the project description such as the justification for the proposed project in Lesotho, aim and objectives of the project, the major components of the projects, proposed impact areas, its current status and estimated costs.
Chapter Three describes Lesotho‘s relevant policies, laws and institutional arrangements which regulate and manage resource utilization, protection of sensitive areas including aquatic and land ecosystems, land use control and protection of endangered species. It then explains in general terms the institutional arrangement which supports the regulatory framework.
Chapter Four provides an overview of baseline information of Lesotho‘s key environmental resources such as land resources, water resources and biological resources.
Chapter Five outlines the nature and scopes of the proposed activities under the proposed project, the environmental components likely to be affected by the project activities, the nature and potential sources of the main environmental and social impacts in the implementation and operation of the project activities.
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Chapter Six provides an analysis of alternatives, by first defining alternatives for sub-project characteristics that will make them more environmentally friendly and then comparing the four possible project implementation scenarios of implementing a large scale project, small-scale mechanised, small-scale non-mechanised and not implementing a project at all.
Chapter Seven outlines the typical environmental management plan for the impacts for integration into the agriculture related project activities. The plan includes responsible authorities for collaboration in the implementation of the mitigation measures. The chapter includes recommendations of appropriate monitoring activities by different stakeholders at local level, district level and national level to ensure compliance to mitigation measures.
Chapter Eight outlines the monitoring Plan. The lead implementing Agent (MAFS) with the help of relevant authorities should monitor the environmental effects of project implementation and compliance with mitigation measures. This should be done by an independent team of experts drawn from relevant sectors that may be affected.
Chapter Nine describes the relevant environmental and social training and capacity building measures for stakeholders at all levels in order to adequately participate in the implementation. The chapter includes specific training activities for the stakeholders and the cost estimates to facilitate the training programme.
It also describes the implementation plan by providing information on the proposed implementation arrangements, particularly at the sub-project level where all the activities will take place. The chapter also gives a summary of the costs required for training and the sources of funding for the other project activities.
Chapter Ten describes the process for ensuring that environmental and social potential impacts are adequately addressed through the institutional arrangements and procedures used by SADP for managing the identification, preparation, approval and implementation of sub-projects. It also provides a step by step screening process for sites for future sub-projects.
Appendices Eight appendices are then attached at the end of the report covering (i) the environmental and social screening form, (ii) Consulted stakeholders, (iii) Summary of World Bank Safeguards Policies, (iv) Contract provision (v) Environmental and social field appraisal form, (vi) Guidelines for annual report, (vii) Guidelines for annual reviews, and (viii) Guidelines for an ESMP.
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CHAPTER TWO: DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
2.1 PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES The proposed programme will contribute to the Development Goal of “Rural poverty reduced and rural economic growth enhanced on a sustainable basis”, which is consistent with the goals in the Government‘s Growth Strategy and the Millennium Development Goals 1 and 7. The proposed Programme Development Objective (PDO) is to increase marketed output among programme beneficiaries in Lesotho‘s smallholder agriculture sector. Two major Programme Outcomes are expected that would lead to achieving the PDO: (
(a) agricultural market opportunities in the programme area increased; and (b) productivity and
(b) quality of market-oriented crops and livestock from smallholders in the programme area
increased..
2.2 PROJECT STRUCTURE The resource envelope for the proposed program is US$ 20 million, including a US$ 10 million IDA sector investment credit and a US$ 10 million IFAD loan. The IDA terms are the standard terms with 40 year maturity and a 10 year grace period. The IFAD loan will be on highly concessional terms with a maturity period of 40 years including a grace period of 10 years. The Government of Lesotho (GOL) and Local Farmer organizations will contribute an estimated US$1.80 million each. The project implementation period is six years and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) will be the lead agency. The programme comprises three components as follows: The project objectives will be achieved through the implementation of two technical components and one component dedicated to management, coordination and monitoring. The first two technical components raise the principal safeguards issues associated with the project. The three components of the project are: Component 1: Increasing Agricultural Market Opportunities. The component objective is to support Lesotho‘s emerging agricultural businesses to contribute to increased commercialization of the agriculture sector. The main target group under the Component would be small and medium agro-based businesses, farmer associations and cooperatives that have a potential to expand their market-related activities or improve their profitability, which would in turn improve market opportunities for smallholder farmers. Component 2: Increasing Market-oriented Smallholder Production. The component objective is to support small-scale farmers in their efforts to produce marketable commodities, improve their ability to respond to market requirements, and help motivated semi-subsistence producers to move towards increased commercialization in line with natural resources management (NRM) considerations. The proposed approach is to plan, prioritize and demonstrate how market-oriented agricultural activities can be a worthwhile undertaking for smallholder producers and how to better address natural resource management issues in such planning processes. This would be done by offering a package of support that includes: (a) technical training, to improve production in line with market requirements; (b) commercial training, to better consider demand, costs and
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benefits when making production decisions (―farming as a business‖), and to become more effective market participants; and (c) initial investment support to encourage farmers to venture into new activities. Component 3: Programme Management. This component would establish an effective program management and administrative system, to ensure coordination between the program and other initiatives and national institutions in the sector. 2.4 GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF INTERVENTION AND TARGET GROUPS. The proposed Smallholder Agricultural Development Programme (SADP) activities will cover the selected four districts which are Botha Bothe, Leribe, Berea and Mafeteng (see Figure 1).
Figure 1 Map of Lesotho
The programme would target smallholder farmers and farmer groups that: (a) need support to improve their sources of livelihood; and (b) have the basic resources and motivation required to successfully improve agricultural production, engage in market-oriented agriculture, and improve agricultural businesses and marketing.
CHAPTER THREE: POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Over the last ten years, the Government of Lesotho has adopted a new republican constitution, and a number of new policies and legislation with the ultimate aim of promoting and consolidating sustainable socio-economic development in the country through the mainstreaming of environmental considerations in project planning and implementation. These include: the National Environmental Action Plan, the National Environmental Policy, the Lesotho Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, the Decentralization Policy, the Environmental Act, and Local Government Act among others. The following paragraphs highlight some selected policies and laws which are applicable in the planning and
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implementation of public sector projects, more especially those in the agricultural and irrigation sector:
The Poverty Reduction Strategy of Lesotho includes the following aspects; employment creation and income generation, agriculture and food security, infrastructure development - roads, water, electricity and communication, deepening democracy, governance, Safety and Security, improving quality of and access to essential health care and social welfare service, improving quality and access to education, managing and conserving the environment and improving public service delivery. The crosscutting issues are the scaling up the fight against HIV/AIDS, gender issues, youth development and providing care for children.
Agriculture and food security are a major pillar in the strategy and the SADP is set to address the same issue.
3.3 LEGAL FRAMEWORK Overview of Relevant Legislative Instruments: 3.3.1 Constitution of Lesotho
Section 36: Stipulates Lesotho will adopt policies designed to protect and enhance the natural and cultural environment of Lesotho for the benefit of both present and future generations and shall endeavour to ensure all citizens a sound and safe environment adequate for their health and well-being. SADP activities have a potential to have adverse impacts on the environment with subsequent effects on people‘s wellbeing. The ESMF is prepared to ensure that the SADP will adopt measures that conform to the requirement of the Constitution. 3.3.2 Managed Resources Areas Order, No 18 of 1993
Section 12: makes provision for prohibition on activities in Managed Resource Areas other than for grazing purposes including prohibition of burning that causes land degradation. This provision will be applicable to rangeland management sub-projects, which will need to protect grazing land for livestock.
3.3.3 Local Government Act 1997
The Act is in the process of being enforced and in the last six months, the government has been decentralizing its services to the districts. Under the Act, the government has established the Local Government Service and the interest of the Central Government at district level will be represented by the District Administrator, who coordinates the duties and functions of all public officers in the district. Indeed, all public officers in the district function under the direct supervision of the District Administrator. It should be noted that the district technical staff report administratively to the DA but functionally to the line ministries. The District Administrator reports to the Minister of Local Government. Thus the project implementation will be coordinated by the DA who will be the chair of the
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Programme Implementation Committee.
The Act also impacts on the SADP in that all the local governance issues will be dealt with through this act. 3.3.4 Environment Act 2008
The Environment Act makes provision for the protection and management of the land base against the negative impacts of development of such infrastructure as roads and other infrastructure that cause excessive land disturbance and soil erosion. The agricultural activities will have various effects on the environment and the relevant clauses that cover the protection and management of the land base follow below:
Part V: Environmental Impact Assessment, Audits and Monitoring: This clause provides for undertaking environmental impact assessment of the project developments. It makes provision for the type of projects for which an environmental impact assessment is required and specified in the Schedule to the Act. It stipulates submission of the project brief and provides guidance for its preparation. The project brief preparation includes preparation of the environmental management plan for guiding development for prevention of environmental impact on natural resources by undertaking mitigation measures. Environmental impact studies and statements preparation and guide are made for projects that have serious environmental impacts on natural resources. It makes provision for review of environmental impact statements, environmental monitoring, environmental audit and issuance of the license for implementing the project.
Part VI: Environmental Quality Standards: Makes provision for soil, water, air, waste, noise, ionization, and other radiation, control of noxious smells, guidelines for environmental disasters and other standards.
Part VII: Pollution control: Makes provision for prohibition of discharge of hazardous substances, chemicals and materials or oil into the environment and spiller's liability.
Part IX: Environmental Management: Makes provision for identification and protection of hilly and mountainous areas.
Part X: Environmental Restoration Notice and Order: Makes provision for issuance of environmental restoration order. Part XIl: International Environmental Conventions: Covers environmental conventions or agreements to which Lesotho is a party. 3.3.5 Land Act 2010
The Land Bill has been passed into an Act on June 14, 2010. The Act makes provision for ensuring sustainable use of agricultural land. It also stipulates that the lessee shall use and take steps to ensure that land used for arable purposes is farmed in accordance with the practices of good husbandry customarily used in the area and that land used for pastoral purposes is used in a sustainable manner in accordance with the best principles of pastoralism practiced in the area. It is envisaged that some of the activities to be implemented under the SADP would fall under arable and/or pastoral land uses which are referred to in the Land Act.
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3.3.6 The Forestry Act 1998:
This law makes provision that land should be made available for forestry activities, including fuel wood production for purposes of domestic supply seen as a means to preserve indigenous shrubs and trees that protect land from soil erosion. It also provides for the protection and preservation of these forests. SADP activities may induce vegetation clearing for cropping purposes, working space, or for firewood. The provisions of this act will thus be used to protect the forests from over exploitation.
3.3.7 Weeds Eradication Act 1969
Weeds Eradication Act (1969) deals with alien invasive plants and control of their encroachment into the climax vegetation. The Act is relevant to the SADP as expansion of agricultural activities could pose the danger of introducing alien invasive plants. Complying with the Act would help control this problem.
3.3.8 Liremo Control Act 1970
The Act makes provision for the protection of Liremo through controlling their use. This Act has since been revised by King Moshoeshoe II to declared all indigenous trees and shrubs Liremo. These are plants of economic value which, though not cultivated, are community owned resources, the use of which is controlled directly by the chief or appointed headmen. This Act will thus protect the indigenous trees from being indiscriminately cleared as during project implementation.
3.3.9 Mining Rights Act 1967
This Act provides authority to award mining licenses for all minerals and other resources of economic value in Lesotho. Without the environmental impact assessment controls and oversight, such licenses may be destructive to the environment because the Act does not provide for reclamation of excessively disturbed lands by the mining industry. The mining rights are in direct competition with agriculture since they use the same land and mining tends to destroy the land and make it unavailable for agriculture. 3.4 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND TREATIES Lesotho is a signatory and party to more than twenty one international, conventions, treaties and protocols. Of the many treaties, the following will be triggered by the SADP:-
The convention of biological diversity. The objectives of this Convention, to be pursued in accordance with its relevant provisions, are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding. Agricultural activities would impact on biodiversity as the ecosystems are converted for agricultural use, e.g. natural forests turned into managed range lands, wetlands drained for arable land, grasslands converted to croplands etc. thus interfering with the natural state of ecosystems.
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The convention on international plant protection. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) aims to secure coordinated, effective action to prevent and to control the introduction and spread of pests of plants and plant products. Its primary focus is on plants and plant products moving in international trade and also covers research materials, biological control organisms, germ plasma banks, containment facilities and everything else that can act as a vector for the spread of plant pests — for example, containers, packaging materials, soil, vehicles, vessels and machinery. The SADP will involve potential plant and plant product movement as the agricultural activities are being scaled up to commercial levels. Thus the requirements of this convention have to be taken into consideration.
The convention on wetlands of significant importance. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, called the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The project area has a number of wetlands and these may be encroached on by the agricultural activities due to the constraints on land availability. The requirements of the Ramsar Convention will need to be applied in order to protect the wetlands from degradation.
The convention on conservation of migratory species of wild animals. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or Bonn Convention) aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. The project may interfere with migratory routes of wildlife as the requisite structures for the agricultural activities are established. The usual nesting grounds for avian migratory species may be affected as lands, vleis and wetlands will be acquired for agricultural purposes.
The convention concerning the protection of world and natural heritage. The World Heritage Convention aims for the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage sites of outstanding universal value. Each State, that is party to this Convention, recognizes that the duty of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage, belongs primarily to that State. The project area is endowed with a lot of natural and cultural heritage sites. Any excavations may encounter artifacts, fossils and other items of cultural importance. Thus the project triggers this convention.
The convention on desertification and drought. The aim of the Convention, which was signed in 1994, is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in those countries experiencing serious drought, particularly in Africa, through international cooperation and effective action at all levels.
Desertification is due primarily to human activity and climatic variations. It does not mean the advance of current areas of desert. It is the result of the extreme vulnerability of the ecosystems in arid areas to over-exploitation and inappropriate use of land. Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing and bad irrigation practices are all factors which have a deleterious impact on the productivity of the land. Under SADP the agricultural activities have a potential to degrade the environment and the Convention encourages implementation of measures to combat desertification.
African convention on conservation of nature and natural resources. This Convention focuses on living resources, calling for the creation of protected areas and for the specific conservation measures for listed species. It also provides the grounds for the conservation of other natural resources such as soil and water, for the consideration of environmental concerns in development plans, and for research and education. The agricultural activities from the SADP could have a direct impact on the natural resources through the clearing of vegetation, loosening soils, draining wetlands, degrading marginal lands. Thus the requirements of this convention have to be considered in the implementation of SADP.
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain intact in the environment for long periods, become widely distributed geographically, accumulate in the fatty tissue of humans and wildlife, and have adverse effects to human health or to the environment. Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can lead to serious health effects including certain cancers, birth defects, dysfunctional immune and reproductive systems, greater susceptibility to disease and even diminished intelligence. Some SADP activities might induce increased use of biocides, some of which are listed as POPs. Some illegal trade in these will also be fuelled by the increased activities, thus this convention has to be complied with during the implementation of SADP.
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. This Treaty, popularly known as the International Seed Treaty, is a comprehensive international agreement in harmony with Convention on Biological Diversity, which aims at guaranteeing food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world's plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as the fair and equitable benefit sharing arising from its use. It also recognizes farmers' rights: to freely access genetic resources, unrestricted by intellectual property rights; to be involved in relevant policy discussions and decision making; and to use, save, sell and exchange seeds, subject to national laws. The increased agricultural activities that will be triggered by SADP will necessitates the implementation of this convention as farmers will be wanting to access plant genetic sources easily.
3.5 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 3.5.1 Department of Environment In 1994, the National Environmental Secretariat (NES) was established to advise the Government on all matters relating to environment management. It spearheaded the development of Lesotho‘s Agenda 21 action Plan adopted in 1995. In 1998 the Department of the Environment, which was then part of the Ministry of Natural Resources, was merged with NES and the new institution became the lead institution in environmental management. The Department of the Environment then appointed Environmental Units in line Ministries in order to strengthen the coordination of environmental activities. The units received some training in different aspects of environmental management but they are not fully effective because of under staffing. The Department of Environment‘s principal responsibility is coordination, monitoring and supervision of environmental conservation activities. It also has a cross-sectoral mandate to oversee the conduct of EIAs through issuance of guidelines, regulations and registration of practitioners. It reviews and approves environmental impact statements in consultation with any relevant lead agencies. The Department of Environment is located within the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture.
3.5.2 Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is responsible for agriculture related activities in the country. It will be the lead implementing agent for the SADP through its various departments at Head Office and its District structures. The responsible directorates at head office will be the Directorate of Planning and Policy Analysis (DPPA) and the Directorate of Field Services (DFS) and at district level each District Agricultural Officer (DAO) and his team. A Programme Management Unit (PMU) will be established which will be responsible for overall coordination, supervision and monitoring, while programme activities would be implemented by the private sector, NGOs and Government Agencies on the basis of performance-based contracts. 3.5.3 Participating Ministries The following Ministries have responsibilities that cover areas relevant to the SADP programme implementation: (i) Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning is the central coordinating Ministry in charge of reducing poverty levels through increased national and household incomes, economic growth, domestic production, employment, wealth and investment. These are to be attained through formulation of effective development, macroeconomic and fiscal policies and their implementation through best plans and programmes. Thus it will be the lead agency in charge of the financing mechanism. (ii) Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation (MFLR), Soil and water conservation form the primary responsibility of the Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation which has three main departments, namely, (i) Soil and Water Conservation, (ii) Forestry, and (iii) Range Management. The Ministry works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. In addition to sharing responsibility for the broad agricultural sector, MAFS links most directly with crop production in the sense that this takes place in soils that need conservation, and to the
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livestock sub-sector since extensive production takes place on range lands. Thus MFLR will be important in the agricultural support programs like catchment conservation and curbing soil erosion. (iii) Ministry of Trade & Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing (MTCIM). The Ministry of Trade‘s mandate is to create and maintain a more equitable and enabling environment for industrial, agri-business and commercial development‖ by formulating and monitoring the implementation of appropriate commercial, marketing and industrial development policies and enforcing supporting legislation amongst other things. (iv) Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship (MLGC). The Ministry of Local Government is responsible for creating conditions for sustainable local government, poverty reduction and overall human development in Lesotho. These efforts are anchored on the synergy of policies and programmes for citizens‘ empowerment and participation, improved management of land and its development, decentralisation of government functions and the pursuit of appropriate rural development technologies. Agricultural activities and conservation works hinge on adequate land use planning, thus the Ministry will be very important in the area of land allocations and reallocations for project purposes at all its various levels of local government down to the villages. 3.6 WORLD BANK POLICIES The World Bank operates with ten (10) environmental and social safeguard policies that ensure potential environmental risks and benefits associated with Bank lending operations. Appendix 6 gives a detailed description of the World Bank environmental and social safeguard policies. These safeguards policies are designed to avoid, mitigate or minimise adverse environmental and social impacts of projects supported by the Bank. The World Bank operational policies are presented in Appendix 6. The following is a summary of the Policies that will be triggered by the SADP:
1. OP/BP 4.01: Environmental Assessment as a result of potential negative impacts 2. OP/PB 4.09: Pest Management due to anticipated increase in use of fertilizers and
chemicals by farmers. 3. OP/BP 4.11: Physical Cultural Resources. The policy is not directly triggered by the
project, but lessons learned from other projects in Lesotho have shown that in some of the districts in which the project will be implemented, such as Leribe and Botha Bothe artefacts from historical cultural resources have been found at some places. The project will prepare a Cultural Resources Management Plan in readiness for opportunistic finds during the implementation of the project.
4. OP/BP 4.12: Involuntary Resettlement. It is not anticipated that there would be any land acquisitions as a direct result of the project. However, some people in the project area might have to be resettled by the government as a result of the recently passed Land Bill for the country. The policy is triggered in preparation for situations where project beneficiaries would be affected by the new legislation.
3.7 IFAD POLICIES IFAD‘s ‗Administrative Procedures for Environmental Assessment in the Project Cycle‘ –PB/94/03 was approved in 1994, broadly mandating the Fund to ensure that all environmental issues associated with its operations are adequately addressed. The Administrative Procedures included provisions for: (i) improving environmental quality of
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operations financed by the Fund; (ii) promoting the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources with specific references to environmentally sustainable practices for biological diversity and protected area management, fisheries, range resources, forest resources, wetlands and water resources; (iii) environmental categorisation of projects entering the pipeline; and (iv) environmental impact assessments (EIA) for all projects with classification of Category A. IFAD recently updated the Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) Procedures (entitled ‗Environmental Management and Sustainable Development‘) to replace the earlier ‗Administrative Procedures for Environmental Assessment in the Project Cycle‘. The focus of the ESA Procedures is on an integrated assessment of the environmental, social and economic factors, which are the key elements of rural poverty reduction and sustainable development, complemented by broader factors such as institutions and governance dimensions. IFAD‘s ESA procedures contain eleven (11) Operational Statements (see Appendix 7 for details) covering all environmental and social aspects (see Appendix 7 for details):
Operational Statement 1: Biodiversity And Protected Area Management
Operational Statement 2: Fertilizers
Operational Statement 3: Fisheries
Operational Statement 4: Forest Resources
Operational Statement 5: Irrigation
Operational Statement 6: Range Resources
Operational Statement 7: Rural Roads
Operational Statement 8: Wetlands
Operational Statement 9: Pesticides
Operational Statement 10: Rural Finance
Operational Statement 11: Small Enterprise Development 3.8 COMPARISON OF LESOTHO, WORLD BANK AND IFAD PROJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL CLASSIFICATION The Lesotho legislation classifies projects and activities into three categories as follows: Category 1: projects under this category are not listed in the Schedule and are unlikely
to cause any significant environmental impact and thus do not require any additional environmental assessment.
Category 2: projects under this category are listed in the Schedule and are likely to
cause environmental impacts, some of which may be significant unless mitigation actions are taken. Such projects cause impacts which are relatively well known and easy to predict. Also, the mitigation actions to prevent or reduce the impacts are well known. From the assessment of the Project Brief the projects are classified as not requiring a full Environmental Impact Study (EIS).
Category 3: projects under this category are listed in the Schedule and are likely to
have significant adverse environmental impacts whose scale, extent and significance cannot be determined without in-depth study. Appropriate mitigation measures can only be identified after such study. From the
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assessment of the Project Brief the projects are classified as requiring a full EIS.
The World Bank requires that all projects financed by the Bank are screened for their potential environmental and social impacts to determine the appropriate extent and type of environmental management work to be undertaken. The Bank classifies the proposed projects into one of four categories as follows: Category A: A proposed project is classified as Category A, if it is likely to have significant
adverse environmental impacts that are sensitive, diverse, or unprecedented. These impacts may affect an area broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical works.
Category B: A proposed project is classified as Category ‗B‘, if its potential adverse
environmental impacts on human populations or environmentally important areas – including wetlands, forests, grasslands and other natural habitats – are less adverse than those of category ‗A‘ projects. These impacts are site – specific, few if any of them are irreversible; and in most cases mitigatory measures can be designed more readily than for category ‗A‘ projects.
Category C: A proposed project is classified as Category C, if it is likely to have minimal
or no adverse environmental impacts. Category FI: If it involves investment of Bank funds through a financial intermediary in
sub-projects that result in adverse environmental impacts. The Bank requires that all projects be screened and the requisite environmental assessment work be carried out based on these screening results. To ensure that future small scale sub-projects are implemented in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner the Bank has developed an environmental and social screening process for small scale sub-projects consistent with OP 4.01. IFAD requires that all projects undergo an environmental and social impact assessment ESIA). It assigns the programme/project proposals to one of three categories (A, B, or C) according to the likely significance of environmental and social concerns as follows: Category A: The programme/project may have significant environmental and social
implications that are sensitive, adverse, irreversible or unprecedented and affect an area broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical interventions. A formal ESIA is likely to be required for the whole programme/project or one or more components.
Category B: The project may have some environmental and social impacts on human
populations or environmentally significant areas but which are site-specific and less adverse than Category A. While no formal ESIA is required, environmental analysis will be undertaken in the course of project implementation.
Category C: The project will have negligible environmental and social implications – no
further environmental analysis is specifically required. The World Bank and IFAD‘s procedures are basically similar. However, while Lesotho‘s EA
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procedures are generally consistent with the Bank‘s policies, there exists a gap regarding the screening of small scale sub-projects where the sites and potential adverse localized impacts cannot be identified prior to the appraisal of the project. Therefore the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project will use the environmental and social screening process as described in this report.
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CHAPTER FOUR: BASELINE DATA
4.1 INTRODUCTION Lesotho is endowed with diverse natural resources, which include some of the most fertile soils, forest and water resources which accommodate diverse species of flora, fauna and fish resources. However these resources are currently challenged by complex interaction of several factors which include the rapid rate of population growth of about 21% per annum. This imposes ever intensive pressure on the natural resources utilisation, leading to unsustainable land use, depletion of forest resources, and loss of biodiversity, heavy soil erosion and water pollution.
The following paragraphs reviews some of the key country‘s natural resources such as land resources, atmospheric resources, biological resources and water resources as well as the agricultural activities.
4.2 CONTEXT Lesotho is a land locked state in Southern Africa which is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is situated approximately between 28° S and 31°S latitudes and longitude 27° E and 30° E. Lesotho is a predominantly mountainous country, with an average altitude of more than 1600 metres above sea level. It covers approximately 30 350 square kilometres and has limited natural resource endowments (GoL, 2006). One quarter of the land is lowlands and the remainder is highlands.
Lesotho has a population of 2.2 million growing at an average rate of 21% per annum, mainly with a literate but largely unskilled labour force.
The arable land area is about 9% of the total area and this poses a challenge to expansion of agricultural activities. Moreover, the arable land is susceptible to severe soil erosion. The country has over the years experienced severe deterioration of agricultural land due to a set of natural and manmade factors among which may be pointed out: heavy summer rainfalls usually on bare ground following the vegetation-less winter months, overgrazing on steep slopes in the mountains and foothills. Soil loss through erosion is currently estimated at about 13.2 tonnes per hectare totalling 40,000 tonnes per annum. This loss of topsoil with its higher organic content is also accompanied by loss of nutrients leading to overall impoverishment of land and reduction in the soil horizon. A mid 1980s study indicated that rangelands comprise about 60% of the land area. Increase in population and poor land husbandry, unsustainable grazing patterns combine with a communal land tenure system to aggravate the problem of soil erosion and loss of fertility. It is estimated that degraded grassland consists of 12% chrysoma and 5% shallow rock outcrops and that since the above study was completed, degradation is estimated to be increasing at about 2% per annum. Vegetation is predominantly grassland with less than 1% forest cover of indigenous forests consisting of patches of evergreen trees and shrubs. Firewood supplies over 64% of energy demand in the rural household economy. The resulting shortage of firewood leads to a majority of the population resorting to the use of animal waste and plant residues as alternatives to fuel wood.
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4.3 GENERAL LESOTHO GEO-PHYSICAL CONDITIONS 4.3.1 Agro-Ecological Conditions. Lesotho is divided into four main Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) as follows; The Lowlands, the Foothills, the Senqu (Orange) Valley and the Mountains:
Figure 2 Lesotho Agro-Ecological Zones (i) The Northern Lowlands The northern and central lowlands are characterized by
large deposits of rich volcanic soils and cover the western part of the country and occupy about 2,500 km2 which is 8% of the total surface area. This region is a narrow strip of land extending at some places just 10km from the border to 60 km at some places and it lies between 1400 m and 1,800 m.
(ii) The Southern Lowlands The southern or lowlands are characterized by poor soils
and low rainfall and cover the western part of the country, occupying about 2,700 km2 which is 9% of the total surface area.
In general the lowland soils are the duplex type which are prone to erosion, and have poor moisture retention capacity. They are thus liable to rapid loss of fertility.
(iii) The Foothills, on the other hand, consist of very fertile land that is associated with
high agricultural productivity. The foothills are defined as the area between the lowlands and the highlands and occupy an estimated area of about 4,600 km2 which lies between 1,800 m and 2,000 m above sea level and forms 15% of the total land area. The foothills enjoy cooler temperatures, making them suitable for growing fruit trees. They also have a higher rainfall than the lowlands, and springs feed into perennial rivers giving opportunity for simple technologies for irrigation.
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(iv) The Senqu River Valley forms a narrow strip of land that flanks the banks of the Senqu River and penetrates deep into the highlands, reaching lower parts of the main tributaries of this river. This region covers 9% of the total surface area. The soils of the Senqu River valley vary from rich especially in the alluvial bottom zones, to very poor along the slopes of the valley. Being in the rain shadow of the Drakensberg makes this the most unproductive region in the country.
(v) The Mountains constitute the largest ecological area which covers an area of
18,047 km2. This region has been extensively dissected by the headwaters of the Senqu River and its tributaries which drain in a north-south direction, and, which together with an extensive network of mountain wetlands, today forms an important segment of the Southern African region‘s water resources. The drainage pattern of the highlands or Mountain region has produced deep river valleys, gorges, and gullies that, in general, make human life very difficult.
The region forms the main livestock grazing area in the country. Although the soils are much less susceptible to erosion compared with the low lands, inadequate cover teams up with the steep slopes, to create torrential rains that result in massive erosion in this zone. The importance of proper range management can therefore not be overstated.
Table 4.1 Agro-ecological characteristics and production opportunities (GoL, 2010) Description Lowlands Foothills Mountains Senqu river valley
Long period of frost, snow, hail, high soil erodability
Severe drought, moderate soil erodability
Vegetation Crop stubble, reforestation on some hills fruit trees ear homesteads
Poplar and willow trees along streams and gullies, crop stubble fruit trees near homestead
Denuded grassland, indigenous shrubs in some river valleys, stunted peach trees near homesteads
Denuded & dry, shrubs, brush, few fruit trees in valleys
4.3.2 Land Resources and Quality The mountain zone in Lesotho covers approximately 65% of the total land area at elevations ranging between 2 300 and 3 480 metres above sea level. This land is mostly characterised by steep slopes with fragile soil formations which are extensively degraded. The most notable feature of Lesotho‘s environmental degradation is the extensive soil erosion, with gullies (or dongas) and surface sheet erosion being widespread. This is not only attributable to natural factors such as the rugged mountainous terrain, erodable soils and erratic rainfall, but also to anthropogenic activities like overstocking and overgrazing of rangelands, poor agricultural practices and biomass removal.
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Most of the rural communities keep livestock which graze freely on communal land. This system does not encourage environmentally friendly grazing like rotation, but results in overgrazing and total removal of bio-mass leaving bare and vulnerable terrain. Only 9% of Lesotho‘s land is arable and over 80% of this is found in the lowlands, where it is not used for agriculture but for other purposes such as housing. Most of the poor rural households are forced to plough on marginal steep slopes which have resulted in soil erosion that has seen Lesotho loose 40 million tonnes of top soil per year. This has resulted in the formation of deep gullies. 4.3.3 Climate and Rainfall. The climate is harsh, with temperatures varying from -10 degrees Celsius (in winter) to 30 degrees Celsius (in summer) in the lowlands. In the highlands winters are more severe, with heavy snowfalls that often cut off access to most of the mountain settlement.
The climatic conditions in Lesotho are variable, with recurring droughts which adversely affect agricultural production. The country has two cropping seasons, the summer season (September – April) and the winter season ( May – July ) in the past few years, rainfall has been erratic in both cropping seasons causing rain fed crops to yield less and less. The following table indicates the rainfall over the past ten years: Table 4.2 Rainfall Data (Source: Lesotho Meteorology Services)
Year Berea Botha-Bothe Leribe Mafeteng
2000 845 1188.4 879.9 887.4
2001 710.48 805.9 771.8 1159.9
2002 716.1 773.4 859.2 894.4
2003 450.8 588.7 591.8 507.2
2004 590.9 755.4 700 471
2005 806 781 842.5 595.6
2006 986.1 1147.3 992.3 937.3
2007 643.2 758.6 738.4 544.2
2008 534.3 791.8 581.6 627.4
Normal 706.1 846.6 784.8 701.6
4.3.4 Wildlife Reserves. During the 1990s the number of conservation areas increased from two to seven, but only an exceedingly small percentage of land area (0.4 %) remains protected. Lesotho also has ―sustainable use‖ areas which occupy 6.9% of the land area mainly in the rangelands (UNDP, 2007). There is limited information relating to trends in biodiversity in Lesotho. However it is assumed that the number of threatened species may have increased over time (UNDP, 2007). The threatened species have been estimated at 94, with eight of them being critically endangered; four endangered; fourteen vulnerable while the remaining sixty are not sufficient (UNDP, 2007). The Government has responded by initiating a number of conservation projects like the Maloti-Drakensburg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Project which focus on biodiversity conservation and nature based tourism. The list of protected flora under the Historical Monuments, Relics, Flora and fauna Act (1967) has been increased from thirteen in 1969 to thirty-one in 2004. The new list covers all species that are already threatened or are being used by individuals for economic gains.
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4.3.5 Water Resources and Sanitation Lesotho is known to have abundant water, some of which is being exported to neighbouring South Africa through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. However the distribution of water in the country is disproportionate owing to rainfall and other physical factors. The highlands receive more rainfall than the lowlands where most of the people reside.
Surface water occurs in dams, springs, rivers and wetlands. Groundwater is also an important source of water particularly for rural populations where the supply system is typically hand pumps or small-piped systems using water from springs or boreholes.
Wetlands are also very important as they are important groundwater recharge points and also control flooding, erosion and water quality. A variety of medicinal plants and grass for thatching grow in these wetlands.
In general the provision of clean water rose from 52% to 63% in the 1990s (GoL, 2006) on a national scale, but the situation has been steadily deteriorating in the peri-urban areas, especially with number of people per collection point. So there is a critical shortage of water supply to potential development sites like industries and factories. This is hampering production and has ripple effects to primary sectors like agriculture, which then can‘t produce.
4.3.6 Energy Resources Energy resources can be classified into three categories: non-renewable (coal, gas, paraffin etc); potentially renewable (biomass) and renewable (hydro-electricity, solar and wind energy). The capability of the country‘s potentially renewable natural resources to meet household energy demands has been drastically reduced through human and animal pressure forcing households to rely more on dung and crop residues and imported fossil fuels like paraffin. Domestic energy needs are largely being met from sources that lead to further deforestation and environmental degradation especially in rural areas.
In terms of renewable energy, only about 14% of the household have access to electricity. However solar and wind energy haven‘t been widely adopted.
4.4 BASELINE INFORMATION OF THE SELECTED DISTRICTS A two week field survey of the four selected districts (Botha Bothe, Leribe, Berea and Mafeteng) was conducted from the 18th to the 30th of October 2010. The team met with District Agricultural Officers and district MAFS staff, farmer groups/associations and individual farmers, and representatives of communities. The team was able to see a number of promising smallholder farming activities1 and assessed the potential environmental and social impacts they can exert. The team observed challenges related to unsustainable land use, inadequate support services, inadequate agricultural activity related infrastructure, including markets.
4.4.1 Potential Income Generating Agricultural Activities In all the four districts visited the following were noted as potential income generating agricultural activities:
1 Including fruit tree nurseries and orchards, small-scale irrigation for vegetable production, vegetable seed nurseries,
seed potato production, community gardens, conservation agriculture, on-farm soil and water conservation measures, and wool and mohair marketing.
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Small scale gravity irrigation schemes
Water harvesting structures(tanks, small dams/weirs) for households or groups
Improved homestead gardening e.g. using drip irrigation kits
Asparagus, mushrooms and fruits for export
Improved Livestock activities o Chicken raising o Piggery o Sheep raising o Cattle raising
Wool and mohair production
Growing tree seedlings (fruit trees, ornamental trees, fuel wood)
Basic seed multiplication and sale
Processing Agricultural products – value addition 4.4.2 Associated Agricultural Activities To enhance the potential income generating agricultural activities the following associated activities were also identified in the districts:
Rangeland management, including development of stock watering points
Conservation Agriculture
Gully (Donga) reclamation to protect farmlands
Catchment conservation works
Establishment of storage facilities (silos, cold rooms, refrigerated tanks etc)
4.4.3 District Profiles
(i) Botha Bothe District
Parts of Botha Bothe district are in the lowlands and parts in the foothills. The district is thus characterised by a mixture of sandstone hills with extensive basaltic outcrops dominated by pillow lavas. The valleys are typically of the rich black soils from the weathering of the basalts and some perennial streams flow down the hills.
Three sites were visited in the district;
Table 4.3 Botha Bothe site SITE GENERAL ACTIVITIES
1. Boinyatso Village
(CAPs)
Mushroom growing
Poultry
Conservation agriculture
piggery
2. Moteng Village
(CAPs)
Poultry
Piggery
Sheep raising
3. Nkhaketse Irrigation Scheme Small irrigation scheme
From the rapid assessment it is apparent that development of small irrigation scheme, rangeland management, piggery and poultry are some of the suitable projects for this district.
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(ii) Leribe District
Leribe is characterised by sandstone hills flanked by deeply incised valleys with erosion encroaching arable land. There are existing woodlots suitable for rehabilitation and for increasing the area planted to more economically manageable sizes. Over half of the established forest areas in Lesotho are in Leribe and Maseru where for silvicultural reasons eucalyptus is more predominant.
Three sites were visited in the district;
Table 4.4 Leribe sites SITE GENERAL ACTIVITIES
1. Chicken Slaughter House Private Slaughter house utilised by local farmers associations
2. Tsikoane Greenhouse.
Govt structure rented out to Lesotho Basotho Horticultural Farmers Association (LEBAHOFA)
Seedling production
3. Leribe Dairy Milk collection point for surrounding smallholder farmers
The common agricultural activities in Leribe are livestock raising and dairy, irrigation, poultry, seedlings raising and fruit production. Challenges include the suitable storage for their produce, like refrigerated tanks, cold rooms etc. Environmental issues such as waste management from the slaughter houses and dairies will also need to be addressed.
Poultry, dairy and seedling raising seem to be common practices in the district and can be easily replicated.
(iii) Berea District
Berea is characterised by sandstone hills flanked by deeply incised valleys with erosion encroaching arable land. It is in the lowlands and has some flat valleys suitable for agriculture.
Six sites were visited in the district;
Table 4.5 Berea sites SITE GENERAL ACTIVITIES
1. Ntate Mota Dairy Private Dairy producing more than 60 litres per day from four cows.
2. poultry Small scale egg production
3. Mohlaetoa Piggery Raising of pigs
Production of organic manure from pig waste
4. Cereal Production Grow maize, wheat, beans, sorghum for sale
5. Sheep raising Raise sheep for wool
6. Red Cross NGO involved in training in agricultural activities such as water harvesting, hole plots, piggery, chicken raising etc.
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The main activities in the district are cereal production, poultry, piggery and sheep raising.
(iv) Mafeteng District
Soil and water conservation measures and range management characterise the southern district of Mafeteng which is one of the driest in the country and has the greatest need for soil and water conservation. It has sandstone hills and deeply eroded flat valleys which are continuously under the threat of degradation
Three sites were visited in the district;
Table 4.6 Mafeteng sites SITE GENERAL ACTIVITIES
1. Irrigation scheme
-individually owned, pump fed scheme
Irrigating crops.
Arable land under threat from erosion.
2. Rural Self-help Development association
Train villagers in self-help projects like poultry raising.
Soil erosion is a major problem especially in the lowland zones. Lateral expansion of gullies (dongas) is reducing the area of cultivable land while sheet erosion is reducing the productivity of the land. It is estimates that the percentage of arable land suffering from severe erosion is 46% in Mafeteng (BIPP, 2004).
The major agricultural activities in Mafeteng are irrigation, rangeland management and poultry.
CHAPTER FIVE: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
5.1 INTRODUCTION Since the actual activities of the programme and their respective sites are as yet unknown, potential impacts described below are general and serve as a guideline for a thorough assessment once the sites have been selected. Likely activities to be undertaken by the programme with potential environmental and social impacts include the following:
Establishing/maintaining Small Storage Reservoirs (tanks, small dams/weirs)
Establishing/maintaining Small Scale gravity irrigation schemes
Development of Small Scale Farmer Driven Rainwater Harvesting Structures (tanks, small dams/weirs) for households or groups
Improved homestead gardening e.g. using drip irrigation kits
Asparagus, mushrooms and fruits for export
Improved Livestock activities o Chicken raising o Piggery o Sheep raising o Cattle raising
Wool and mohair production
Growing tree seedlings (fruit trees, ornamental trees, fuel wood)
Basic seed multiplication and sale
Processing Agricultural products – value addition The following are associated agricultural activities which are linked with mitigation measures and have to be undertaken concurrently with some of the income generating projects as they ultimately enhance the productivity of the various programmes:
Rangeland management, including development of stock watering points
Conservation Agriculture
Gully reclamation to protect farmlands
Catchment conservation works
Establishment of storage facilities (silos, cold rooms, refrigerated tanks etc) The potential environmental and social impacts were identified through a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process. Appendix 8, lists the consulted stakeholders. Table 3.2 below is a matrix outlining the typical project activities in each phase of sub-project implementation and the specific components of the environment and social systems which they will affect.
Table 5.1 Matrix of typical project activities and environments impacted.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS PROJECT ACTIVITIES
So
ils
wate
r re
so
urc
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PLANNING PHASE ACTIVITIES
Site Identification X X
Surveying of the project site X X X X X X X X
IMPLEMENTATION/OPERATION PHASE ACTIVITIES
Clearance of vegetation X X X X X X X
Land Clearing Activities X X X X X X X X X X
Land Tilling/levelling X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Rehabilitation of canals X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Rehabilitation of small dams X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Plot Allocation X
Planting of crops X X X
Pest Control X X X X X X X X
Processing of Produce X X X X X X
Marketing of Produce X X X
Operation of water pumps, boreholes
X X X
Notes: X indicates the component of the activity that has potential impact (maybe negative or positive). .
5.2 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS 5.2.1 Planning Phase Impacts (i) Physical Restrictions on project space The terrain of Lesotho is generally mountainous and very little arable land available. Siting of projects on steep terrain will have an impact of erosion of the mountain tops and sides. Siting the projects in the valleys will also have the problem of gulley erosion which is encroaching on arable land. 5.2.2 Implementation/Operation Phase (i) Clearing of Vegetation The replication/up-grading of existing commercial agricultural activities could result in clearing and depletion of vegetation that will result in loss of plant cover, compaction of soil, exposure of topsoil and possibility for erosion, disturbance and loss of fauna habitats, migration of wildlife, weakening and degradation of soils, possible relocations of homesteads, disturbance of the natural landscape and disfiguring of the natural morphology. (ii) Soil and Land Degradation Although construction work will be limited to local areas, some projects may involve works that will expose the soils to erosion and also compact it and break down the soil structure which will potentially decrease the drainage of the areas. This will generally result in soil
erosion, defacing of the countryside and generation of dust. Furthermore, the risk of accidental discharge of hazardous products, leakage of hydrocarbons, oils or grease from construction machinery also constitute potential sources of soils and water pollution. (iii) Loss of natural and cultural heritage The replication/upgrading works may affect some natural features, antics and relics in the project area. The excavations for the works may cause destruction of the natural features, antics and relics. (iv) Wildlife disturbances Noise and vibrations from the development activities may disturb the normal roaming patterns of wild animals and cause them migrate away from the area. Any contamination of the rivers may cause fish kills and destruction of other aquatic life. (v) Disturbance of marginal areas Because of the general terrain of the country, many marginal lands exist and establishing the projects in such areas could pose serious threats to further degradation of the marginal lands. (vi) Exposure to Agro-chemicals Replication and up-scaling of agricultural activities may result in the use of agro-chemicals to realise better yields and control pests and diseases. However, farmers who have limited knowledge about the toxic nature of the chemicals, may employ poor disposal methods, wash empty containers and equipment in rivers and apply the agro-chemicals incorrectly. This poor handling of the chemicals, exacerbated by potential accidental spillages, can then expose the farmers to these toxic chemicals resulting in the poisoning of farmers, pollution of water bodies, animal infections, and soils contamination. (vii) Loss of fragile ecosystems Establishment of agricultural activities in some areas may impact on fragile ecosystems like wetlands and mountain tops. The farmers may drain the wetlands to create arable land, unsustainably cultivate in these wetlands, and also cultivate on steep slopes and mountain tops without adequate conservation measures. This will result in the fast degradation of the wetlands, erosion of the mountain tops and slopes and subsequent loss of the natural purpose of these systems (systems failure). (viii) Effluent and Solid Waste Most agricultural, livestock, agro-industries, packaging and marketing operations produce solid waste. The following are examples of some of the wastes generated by agro-industries:
Steam and hot water boilers produce ash
Fresh food and processed food markets
Livestock production units produce manure The effluent pollutes soil and water resources. Littering and indiscriminate dumping of solid waste pollutes the land and ultimately the water resources.
(ix) Ambient air quality Air Quality will be impacted by emissions from processing plants. Some horticultural operations using steam boilers, heating systems or food processors, will produce smoke. All drying processes of agricultural products produce dust. All these require smoke and dust control and air filtration to bring air quality both inside and outside the plant within the WHO recommended guideline levels. These include:
Animal feed mills
Drying towers for milk powder, egg yolk
Grain handling, flour milling
Meat smoking sheds
Seed processing and packaging
Tea processing
Tobacco industries
Timber and board mills
All agro-industries involving dry powder plants These activities could result in air pollution, increases in bronchial disorders, impaired visibility on the roads, and disturbance to normal vegetation development and could green house gases to the atmosphere. (x) Water Quality Wet processes for food and beverage production require liquid waste water treatment to meet national standards. These include:
Fruit processing, pickles and juices
Leather industries; skin, leather and leather goods processing
Milk and milk products factories, cheese and ice cream production
Pulp and paper mills
Slaughter houses meat and meat products
Starch mills
All agro-industries involving wet processing or chemical cleaning of the process
These activities could result in pollution of water resources, killing of aquatic animals and general loss of clean water for domestic use. The Polluted water affects plant growth and treatment cost could be very high.
(xi) Temporary Visual Intrusion Rehabilitation and upgrading of irrigation schemes, warehouses, processing plants and other possible facilities will change the aesthetics of the project areas and leave marred landscapes. Also the clearing of vegetation required for the refurbishment of existing buildings will impact the visual amenity of nearby houses and surrounding communities. 5.3 POTENTIAL SOCIAL IMPACTS 5.3.1 Planning Phase Impacts (i) Anxiety and anticipation
The planning stage could bring anxiety and anticipation if stakeholders do not know exactly what will happen and when it will happen. They are observing the whole process with
caution and do not want the planning phase to drag for too long. This is resulting in the locals not fully cooperating with the project preparation team and not disclosing all the relevant information during consultations. (ii) Poor Stakeholder Participation The level of participation of all relevant stakeholders during project planning and designing is of paramount importance as a buy in process. Poor stakeholder participation could therefore result in the lack of ownership of the project by the locals, poor participation in project implementation and low chances of sustainability of the project. 5.3.2 Implementation/Operation Phase (i) Loss of assets or access to assets Establishment of sub-projects in some areas will interfere with the normal access to assets like grazing or hunting grounds. (ii) Loss of income sources, and or means of livelihood If people were depending on exploiting resources from the communal lands and sub-projects are then established on these lands, their usual source of incomes or livelihoods may be displaced causing people to be poorer and forcing them to migrate to other areas for alternative livelihoods. (iii) Disruption of footpaths Establishment of sub-projects in some areas will have a disruptive effect on the day to day life of the locals, like cutting off their usual footpaths or routes and forcing them to use longer routes. (iv) Occupational Health and Safety The safety of the local population may be at risk during replication, up-scaling activities which may entail construction. The operation of various equipment and machinery and the actual construction activities will expose the workers to work-related accidents and injuries. Pollutants such as dust and noise could also have negative implications for the health of workers and near-by communities such as bronchial diseases from dust and hearing impairments due to prolonged working under noisy conditions. (v) Impacts of Construction Activities on farmers or other stakeholders Various works on the sub-projects have potential to cause inconveniences or even injuries to the farmers as they continue with their day to day duties. At all sites, these works may have the following potential hazards to staff and farmers:
Injury from tripping and tripping on construction materials. Noise and vibrations during works. Injury from falling or flying debris. Cracking of existing structures from vibrations. Spillages and dust during transportation of materials.
(vi) Noise All processing and services equipment produce various levels of noise and vibration. These impacts can affect the quietness of the communal areas and invoke irritation and anger. Other negative health effects may include hearing impairments due to prolonged working under noisy conditions.
(vii) Social misdemeanour by construction workers While most workers may originate from the local community where they have families, there might be others from distant places and working away from their families. Contractors might be lionized as being wealthy by local people especially for agricultural activities in rural settings or trading centres. With some disposable income to spend, this might induce illicit sexual relationships. This will have an impact of breaking the social fabric and spreading diseases such as STIs and HIV/AIDS. (viii) Income to material/ equipment suppliers and contractors The proposed replications/up-grading of agricultural activities will necessitate the procurement of equipment, construction materials and services, providing income to suppliers and contractors. This is a positive but short-term and reversible impact where the income levels for the suppliers and contractors will be raised. (ix) Employment opportunities Expanded Agricultural facilities and programmes will result in the creation of more long-term job opportunities. (x) Improvement in livelihoods and local economies Improved agricultural outputs will enhance the livelihoods of the communities, raising their incomes and hence further improve productivity and lifestyles. However social conflicts may arise due to increased wealth differentials among the population. (xi) Improved aesthetics and life of agricultural facilities Renovations and up-scaling of agricultural activities will improve their aesthetics and this should be maintained. (xii) Misuse or inability to use installed equipment Use of the improved facilities will be impaired if the farmers are not fully trained. This may result in the underutilisation and damage of equipment and may also result in the injury of the farmers (xiii) Disputes over water resources Water resources are not abundant in the selected districts and establishing agricultural activities which may draw substantial amounts from the sources may trigger conflicts over water allocation in the project areas.
5.4 SIGNIFICANCE RATING The significance of adverse impacts from project actions is rated on the basis of the combination of the magnitude, duration and probability of the impact as tabulated below in Table 5.2. The scales of rating are High, Moderate and Low. Where an aspect is affected by more than one impact, the highest rating is taken as the applicable significance of the impact. The environmental Management Plan in Chapter seven only considers the impacts that have been rated moderate and high significance as these present impacts that need attention.
Table 5.2 Significance rating table MAGNITUDE DURATION/FREQUENCY PROBABILITY SIGNIFICANCE RATING
LARGE Long/Continuous Certain High
LARGE Short/Periodic Certain Moderate
LARGE Long/Continuous Probable High
LARGE Short/Periodic Probable Moderate
SMALL Long/Continuous Certain Moderate
SMALL Short/Periodic Certain Low
SMALL Long/Continuous Probable Low
SMALL Short/Periodic Probable Low
Table 5.3 Significance rating of potential Impacts
CATEGORY IMPACT CAUSE MAGNITUDE OF
IMPACT
DURATION AND PROBABILITY OF
OCCURRENCE
SIGNIFICANCE RATING
5.4 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
5.4.1 Planning Phase Impacts
(i) Physical Restrictions on project space.
Erosion of steep mountain
sides.
Gully formations in the valleys.
Establishment of sites on steep
terrain.
Establishment of sites on
erodable soils in valleys.
Large magnitude:
the steep terrain coupled with the erodable soils easily degenerates to galleys.
Long/Continuous duration: Impacts
expected to last for short time and then restore to normal
Probability: Probable
High
5.4.2 Implementation/Operation Phase
(i) Clearing of vegetation
Removal of vegetation cover. Compaction of soil. Exposure of topsoil and
possibility for erosion. Loss of biodiversity and habitat
changes.
Pollution of soil and water from oil leakage.
Dust and noise generation.
Migration of wildlife.
Possible relocations of homesteads.
Actual act of clearance.
Expansion of Agricultural activities.
Small: On average, the vegetation cover is sparse and the impact will be reasonable since most of the activities are in existence.
Long/Continuous duration: for most
activities
Probability: Certain
Moderate to High
(ii) Soil and Land degradation.
Dust
Noise
Defacing of countryside.
Soil and water pollution.
Earthworks and machinery movement.
as structures go up
accidental discharge of hazardous substances
Large magnitude Long/Continuous duration: for most
activities
Probability: Certain
High
(iii) Loss of natural and cultural heritage
Destruction of natural features, antics and relics.
Excavations for construction works
Opening up of areas for agricultural activities like fields, pig stays, etc
Large magnitude Short/Periodic – this
will be determined by chance finds.
Probability: Certain
Moderate
(iv) Wildlife disturbances
Disturbance of migration by agricultural activities and possible forced migrations
Presence of farmers may disturb the normal migration of wild life
Others will be forced to migrate away from their normal habitats due to the noise and vibrations from agricultural activities
Contamination of rivers may cause fish kills
Small magnitude:
Wildlife population is not significant but can be substantial in the rangelands.
Long/Continuous Duration: Impacts
expected to last for long time as projects are implemented.
Probability: Certain
Moderate
CATEGORY IMPACT CAUSE MAGNITUDE OF
IMPACT
DURATION AND PROBABILITY OF
OCCURRENCE
SIGNIFICANCE RATING
(v) Disturbance of marginal areas
Degradation of marginal lands General terrain of the country Many marginal lands Scarcity of land
Large magnitude:
Scarcity of land and the vulnerability of the marginal lands opens them to this risk.
Long/Continuous Duration: Impacts
expected to last for long time as projects are implemented.
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
(vi) Exposure to agro-chemicals
Poisoning of farmers by chemicals.
Poisoning of aquatic animals by the chemicals.
Poisoning of the soil by the chemicals.
Limited knowledge of the poisonous nature of the chemicals.
Accidental spillages. Poor disposal methods being
employed. Washing of equipment in rivers. Poor application methods being
used. Poor handling of the chemicals.
Large magnitude:
impact will be aggravated by lack of knowledge on proper handling of chemicals.
Short/Periodic Duration: Impacts
expected to last for short time and then restore to normal.
Probability: Certain to
happen
Moderate
(vii) Loss of Fragile Ecosystems
Degradation of wetlands.
Erosion of mountain tops and sides
Loss of natural purpose of the system (Systems failure)
Draining wetlands to create arable land.
Unsustainably ploughing in the wetlands.
Cultivating on steep slops and mountain tops without adequate conservation measures.
Large magnitude:
this is due to shortage of arable land.
Long/Continuous Duration: Impacts
expected to last for long time
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
(viii) Effluent and Solid Waste
Effluent pollutes soil and water resources
Littering and indiscriminate dumping of solid waste pollutes land and water
Waste generated from agricultural activities.
Live stock waste manure Waste from agricultural produce
processing Waste from market places
Small magnitude:
The concentration of animals, people and farm produce will generate a significant amount of waste but this is also used as farm manure
Long/Continuous Duration: Impacts
expected to last for short time and then restore to normal
Probability: Certain to
happen
Moderate
(ix) Ambient Air Quality
Pollution of air
Increases in bronchial disorders
Impaired Visibility on the roads
Disturbs normal developments of vegetation
Causes acid rain
Smoke emissions from processing plants using steam boilers, heating systems.
Drying processes produce dust.
Milling processes.
Large magnitude: -
the thrust of the project is value addition and this will involve these polluting processes.
Long/Continuous Duration: Impacts
expected to last for long time
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
(x) Ambient Water Quality
Pollution of water resources
Death of aquatic animals.
Wet processes for agricultural produce effluent.
Large magnitude: -
the wet processing,
Long/Continuous Duration: Impacts
High
CATEGORY IMPACT CAUSE MAGNITUDE OF
IMPACT
DURATION AND PROBABILITY OF
OCCURRENCE
SIGNIFICANCE RATING
Loss of ordinary use of water.
Polluted water affects plant growth.
Treatment cost of the water become high.
Agro-chemicals run-off from the fields if not properly applied.
Erosion processes introduce pollutants and particulates into the water.
Storm water drainage introduces all the pollutants picked along the way.
Fall out from dust etc introduces pollutants.
escalated agricultural activities will introduce pollution into the water bodies.
expected to last for long time.
Probability: Certain to
happen
(xi) Temporary Visual Intrusion
Change of the aesthetics of project area
Scars from building material extractions.
Rehabilitation and upgrading of irrigation schemes, processing plants, warehouses, and other facilities.
Large magnitude:-
the visual impacts will be obvious and the land scarred will be bare especially during the construction period
Short/Periodic Duration:-: Impacts
expected to last for short time and then restore to normal.
Probability: Certain to
happen
Moderate
5.5 SOCIAL AND HEALTH IMPACTS
5.5.1 Planning phase impacts
(i) Anxiety and anticipation
Suspicion
Lack of cooperation
Hiding of information
Lack of transparency from the Authorities
Lack of proper time lines for the different phases of the project
Dragging the planning phase too long
Large magnitude: -
stakeholders are anxious about the project.
Short/Periodic Duration: - Impacts
expected to last for short time and then restore to normal as project implementation takes off.
Probability: Certain
Moderate
(ii) Poor Stakeholder Participation
Lack of ownership of the project by the locals.
Poor participation in project implementation.
Low chances of sustainability of the project.
Predominance of the top down approach.
Project not being a community priority
Projects being government/donor driven
Communities not appreciating the benefits of participating.
Large magnitude: -
stakeholders not familiar with consultation process.
Short/Periodic: -
Impacts expected to last for short time and then restore to normal as stakeholders come to grip with new approach to project implementation.
Probability: Certain
Moderate
5.5.2 Implementation/Operation Phase
(i) Loss of assets Access to grazing lands, hunting Land required for project Small magnitude: - Long/Continuous Moderate
CATEGORY IMPACT CAUSE MAGNITUDE OF
IMPACT
DURATION AND PROBABILITY OF
OCCURRENCE
SIGNIFICANCE RATING
or access to assets
grounds, etc blocked.
Part of land lost to the project.
activities.
Project area traverses areas normally used by locals
projects will avoid and need for resettlement or taking peoples lands.
Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected.
Probability: Certain to
happen
(ii) Loss of income sources, and or means of livelihood
Usual source of income or livelihood removed.
People made poorer
Migrations to alternative livelihoods.
Establishment of projects in area of previous use by locals.
Change in land use, depriving earlier uses.
Small magnitude: -
projects will avoid and need for resettlement or taking peoples lands.
Long/Continuous Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected.
Probability: Certain to
happen
Moderate
(iii) Disruption of footpaths
Usual routes closed.
Long routes in use.
Establishment of projects across usual routes.
Small magnitude: -
projects will avoid and need for resettlement or taking peoples lands.
Long/Continuous Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected.
Probability: Certain to
happen
Moderate
(iv) Occupational Safety and Health
Work related accidents and injuries.
Bronchial diseases from dust.
Hearing impairments due to prolonged working in noisy areas.
Operation of various equipment.
Emissions from the operations.
Small magnitude: -
may arise from accidents and uncontrolled dust emissions.
Long/Continuous Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected.
Probability: Certain to
happen
Moderate
(v) Impacts of Construction Activities on farmers or other stakeholders
Inconvenience or injuries to farmers.
Cracking of existing structures from vibrations.
Various works on the sub-projects.
Falling from tripping on building materials.
Noise and vibrations during works.
Falling or flying debris. Spillages and dust during
transportation of materials.
Small magnitude: -
inconveniences as project get underway.
Short/Periodic Duration: - Impacts
expected to last for short time and then restore to normal as stakeholders come to grip with new approach to project implementation...
Probability: Certain to
happen
Low
(vi) Noise Irritation and anger.
Impairment of hearing.
Processing equipment
Service equipment.
Agricultural activities.
Noise from animals like pigs and
Small magnitude: -
inconveniences as project get underway.
Long/Continuous Duration:- Impacts
expected to last for a long time
Moderate
CATEGORY IMPACT CAUSE MAGNITUDE OF
IMPACT
DURATION AND PROBABILITY OF
OCCURRENCE
SIGNIFICANCE RATING
poultry.
Probability: Certain to
happen
(vii) Social misdemeanour by construction workers
Spread of human and animal Diseases.
Breaking of social fabric
Interaction of contractors with local populations.
Illicit sexual relationships.
Large magnitude:-
will be fuelled by illicit relationships due to population movements...
Long/Continuous Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected.
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
(viii) Income to material/ equipment suppliers and contractors
Income levels for suppliers and contractors raised.
Procurement of equipment.
Procurement of building materials.
Provision of services.
Large magnitude: -
projects will generate business for suppliers from construction to maintenance.
Long/Continuous Duration:- Impacts
expected to last long once effected as there may be follow-up maintenance work
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
(ix) Employment opportunities
Creation of more long term jobs Expansion of agricultural activities
Large magnitude: -
projects will generate employment opportunities from construction to implementation periods.
Long Duration: Long/Continuous Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected as there may be follow-up opportunities as programmes continue.
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
(x) Improvement in livelihoods and local economies
Enhancement of livelihoods of communities
Raising of income levels
Improvement of productivity and lifestyles.
Jalousies and conflicts
Improved agricultural outputs.
Increased wealth differentials among the locals
Large magnitude: -
projects will generate economic activities from construction to implementation periods.
Long Duration: Long/Continuous Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected as there may be follow-up opportunities as programmes continue.
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
(xi) Improved aesthetics and
Improved aesthetics Renovations and up-scaling of agricultural activities.
Large magnitude: -
projects will change
Long Duration: Long/Continuous
High
CATEGORY IMPACT CAUSE MAGNITUDE OF
IMPACT
DURATION AND PROBABILITY OF
OCCURRENCE
SIGNIFICANCE RATING
life of agricultural facilities
the face of the project areas in a big way.
Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long once effected.
Probability: Certain to
happen
(xii) Misuse or inability to use installed equipment
Impairment of use of equipment
Damage to equipment
Injury of farmers
Lack of training in the use of new equipment.
Small magnitude: -
projects will train personnel to man supplied equipment.
Short/Periodic Duration: Impacts
expected to last for a short time as stakeholders will receive training.
Probability: Certain to
happen
Low
(xiii) Disputes over water resources
Conflicts over water allocations.
Water resources not abundant.
Water resources not properly allocated.
Over abstraction of water by certain projects
Large magnitude: -
this will be largely due to the scarcity of water resources in the project areas.
Long Duration: Long/Continuous Duration: - Impacts
expected to last long as the water availability is a problem.
Probability: Certain to
happen
High
CHAPTER SIX: ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES FOR SUB-PROJECT CONSIDERATION.
6.1 INTRODUCTION The main areas for consideration of alternatives for reducing the potential negative environmental and social impacts are in the agricultural activity size, siting and operational method. For each sub-project the following analysis of alternatives should be considered: (i) Levels of complexities
The levels of complexities of the agricultural activities can influence the type and magnitude of environmental and social impacts. More complex activities may entail more environmentally degrading material and equipment like diesel engines for pumping water etc. more complex activities may also be socially unacceptable as the farmers will not be comfortable operating them. (ii) Siting
Selection of a site for an agro industrial facility is dependent on a number of economic, ecologic and socio-political concerns regardless of the product manufactured or processed. An environmentally ideal site is one which satisfies the following criteria:
1 availability of local land and water resources adequate to supply the required quality and quantity of raw materials without causing unacceptable environmental impact (e.g. clearing of primary forests, wetlands or critical wildlife habitat: and intensification of agriculture which will result in loss of soil fertility, increased erosion etc.);
2 sufficient land area to provide planned and expanded facilities for storage of raw materials, processing and waste disposal;
3 minimal displacement of people and houses;
4 minimal conflicts with higher valued land uses such as agriculture, especially in marginal land areas where prime agricultural land may be at a premium;
5 proximity to receiving waters capable of handling effluent discharges without significant impact on the bio-physical and aquatic environment;
6 easy access to social and physical infrastructures such as skilled labour pool, support industries, transportation network, energy supply, raw materials and potential market areas;
7 adequate distance from tourist or recreational area, office buildings and housing complexes to minimise the impacts of odours noise and pollutants;
8 minimal construction and operational impact of the facilities on rare, threatened or endangered species, their habitats or other sensitive ecosystems.
(iii) Operation of the facility
Agro industrial operations employ a variety of processes and equipment. The type of product processed and the size of the operations determine the type of equipment used, the quality and quantity of effluent or waste produced and thereby the need for pollution control equipment. The various options for pollution control equipment should be examined for their effectiveness at minimising pollution. The type of equipment used in pollution abatement cannot be specified for all possible agro industries.
6.2 EXAMPLE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES The project will cover a lot of different types of agricultural activities ranging from irrigation schemes, water harvesting structures, improved homestead gardening, mushroom raising, improved livestock activities, seed multiplication, processing agricultural products to wool and mohair production. The target for this project is the smallholder farmer who is being earmarked to raise productivity to commercial levels. One comparison of alternatives taking the above considerations can be done by looking at different levels of complexities projects can be pegged at, i.e. large scale, small scale (mechanised), small scale (non-mechanised), and zero option. To illustrate the analysis, irrigation will be used as an example and the alternatives will be:
Options 1 Fund large scale agricultural activities
Option 2 Fund mechanised small holder agricultural activities
Option 3 Fund less mechanised small holder agricultural activities (gravity fed irrigation schemes)
Option 3 Zero option
Table 6.1 Analysis of alternatives FACTOR FIRST OPTION SECOND OPTION THIRD OPTION FOURTH OPTION
establishing large scale commercial
activities
(Large scale irrigation scheme)
establishing mechanised small holder
agricultural activities
(small-scale pump fed irrigation schemes)
establishing less mechanised
small holder agricultural activities
(small-scale gravity fed irrigation schemes)
Zero option
not carrying out the project
1. Ease of setting up This proposal is extremely difficult to set up requiring a lot of engineering design, and construction and may entail pumping the water, building reservoirs and canals
This proposal is relatively easy to set up and requires a pumping system, the water reservoirs and pipes or canals
This proposal is relatively easy to set up and does not require a pumping system, it only requires the reticulation pipes or canals
none
2. Easy of replication Needs huge capital outlay to replicate – so not easily replicated.
Relatively easy to replicate, but needs some level of capital outlay for the pumping system and its maintenance.
Relatively easy to replicate, but needs some level of capital outlay for the headworks but requires less maintenance.
none
3. sustainability Complicated to run and sustain. It is beyond the smallholder farmers‘ capacity to sustain.
Less complicated to run and sustain. Can be done by smallholder farmers with some training and support..
Less complicated to run and sustain. Can be done by smallholder farmers with little support.
none
4. Cost Implications This proposal is extremely expensive because of the extensive civil works cost of constructing the pumping main. Cost of pumping water, the high running and maintenance costs.
This is the cheaper to construct but has very high operation and maintenance cost due to pumping.
This is the cheapest to construct and has minimal operation and maintenance cost.
No costs involved.
5. Effect on Environment
This option will affect the environment because of the clearance of vegetation over a large area to make way for the extensive civil works.
Has the less effects on the clearance of vegetation due to size
Has the less effects on the clearance of vegetation due to size.
none
6. Effects on water Will utilise a lot of water and may result in water related conflicts Will result in significant pollution of water resources from agro chemicals etc
Will utilise a less water. Less potential of pollution (pollution may arise from lubricants and fuels)
Will utilise a less water. Least potential of pollution
none
7. Effects on land May entail clearing of large tracts of primary forests, affect wild life habitat and leave soil prone to erosion. Pollution may arise from waste disposal
Less clearing of land Less clearing of land none
8. Safety to the people
Can be harmful when the pressure pipes burst with people in the vicinity of the pipe burst. Also the power cables
Can be harmful when the pressure pipes burst with people in the vicinity of the pipe burst. Also the power
Minimal harm to people as it is gravity fed.
none
FACTOR FIRST OPTION SECOND OPTION THIRD OPTION FOURTH OPTION
leading to the pumps are a hazard to community if they fall down.
cables leading to the boreholes are a hazard to community. If the reservoir fails it becomes a hazard to the people. if they fall down.
9. Maintenance costs Very high maintenance cost Medium high maintenance costs Minimal maintenance cost none
10. Economic implications
Has highest potential of adding to the economy of the country but may not benefit smallholder farmers easily.
Has medium potential of improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
Has high potential of improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers
A loss to the economy as no one will benefit.
11. Social acceptability
Depending on how it is structured, if it is wholly communal owned, it will be held with suspicion as farmers prefer to own individual plots.
Sharing of pumping/running costs may cause farmers to shun such a scheme.
Since costs to be shared are minimal, if farmers own the individual field, this will be socially acceptable.
none
12 Displacement of people
Higher chances of displacing people, taking up their land, denying them access to resources or interfering in some way to their livelihood.
Less chances of displacing people, taking up their land, denying them access to resources or interfering in some way to their livelihood.
Less chances of displacing people, taking up their land, denying them access to resources or interfering in some way to their livelihood.
none
13 Ease of operation May be complicated to operate as the farmers have to know how to run all the associated equipment.
less complicated to operate as the equipment will be less complicated.
least complicated to operate as their will be minimal equipment.
none
14 COSTS
Civil works = $ 500 000.00
pumping main = $ 900 000.00
reservoir = $ 100 000.00
pumping/running = $ 50 000.00
Total cost = $1 550 000.00
Civil works = $ 100 000.00
pumping main = $ 300 000.00
reservoir = $ 50 000.00
pumping/running = $ 10 000.00
Total cost = $460 000.00
Civil works = $ 90 000.00
running = $ 10 000.00
Total cost = $110 000.00
none
TOTAL COST $1 550 000.00 $460 000.00 $110 000.00
From the analysis it is apparent that the small-scale gravity fed scheme is the most suitable scheme to establish for the small holder farmers since it is easy to set-up, economically feasible to establish, cost effective to run and maintain. It can easily be run by the farmers even after the project life and further more they can replicate similar projects on their own. The above example using irrigation, highlights the fact that for the up-scaling project to be effective and sustainable, small-scale projects, which are not highly mechanised and are economically affordable and easy to setup and run should be promoted. The zero option should not be considered as no one will benefit and the smallholder farmers will continue to be poor and may even become worse.
CHAPTER SEVEN: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
7.1 INTRODUCTION The proposed environmental and social management plan (ESMP) (Table 8.1) for the potential sub-projects under SADP provides guidelines for the management of potential environmental and social aspects at all possible project sites. Appendix 11 provides examples of specific issues to be considered for environmental and social management plan (ESMP) development for specific agricultural activities. In each case the ESMP identifies parties responsible for monitoring actions, requisite training or capacity building needs.
Mitigation measures have been identified that will reduce both existing and potential impacts associated with both the existing and new agricultural activities on the proposed project. In addition, mitigation measures are identified as either social or physical measures. Social mitigation includes the measures used to mitigate effects such as noise, land use, and other effects to the human environment. Physical mitigation includes measures that address impacts to the physical environment, such as biological communities, vegetation, air quality, and others. It should be noted that the sub-projects are for smallholder farmers, who will be able to run and replicate the sub-projects after the project life, thus the envisaged civil works for the up-scaling programme is not the heavy type of construction but that which can be done by local contractors and builders. Also the Environmental and Social Management Plan considers only the impacts that have been rated moderate and high significance in Chapter 5, as these present impacts that need attention.
7.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Table 7.1 Environmental and Social Management Plan TEXT REF.
IMPACT MITIGATION/ENHANCEMENT RESPONSI-
BILITY CAPACITY BUILDING
5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
5.2.1 PLANNING PHASE
(i) Physical Restrictions on project Space
Some project sites are on steep terrain and erosion is impacting on arable land,
Does not apply for refurbishing existing structures.
institute measures to reduce erosion potential like contouring, stabilising slopes and planting vegetation.
Institute rangeland management and catchment conservation.
Avoid unnecessary excavations and restore and protect any disturbed ground.
MAFS, MFLR, PCU and Contractors
None
5.2.2 IMPLEMENTATION/OPERATION PHASE
(i) Clearing of Vegetation
Limited Vegetation clearing may occur during up-scaling/refurbishments.
Over abstraction of resources may occur for construction purposes.
Sensitive habitats may be affected as material are sought,, e.g. Grass from wetland.
Overgrazing from the increased stocks of animals
Sensitive habitats should be avoided.
Clearing should be limited to working areas only.
Revegetation and reforestation must be prioritized.
Over abstraction of construction materials should be avoided.
Habitat restoration must be done where effects have been caused.
Sustainable range management must be practiced
MAFS, MFLR, PCU and Contractor
Environmental awareness training
(ii) Soil and land degradation
Point source contamination from diesel, lubricants etc around working areas.
Increased soil erosion due to vegetation clearing , soil trampling and compaction.
Increased rapid runoff due to vegetation clearing and soil compaction diminishing infiltration capacity.
Deterioration of soil characteristics due to increased erosion.
Appropriate containment measures for all operational areas and proper disposal of used lubricants.
Soil erosion control measures (e.g. re-vegetation, reseeding of grasses, land preparation, terracing, use of gabions, stabilization of banks of canals etc)
Restoration of borrow pits, sand and quarry stone abstraction sites and brick molding sites.
MAFS, PCU and Contractor
Environmental awareness training
(iii) Loss of natural and cultural heritage
natural features, antics and relics destroyed in the project area e.g. during excavations.
Come up with a Physical cultural resources management plan
Establish procedure for chance finds.
MAFS, PCU, District Agric. Officer, NGOs
Requirement of the National Monuments Act.
(iv) Loss of animals and aquatic life.
Noise and vibrations cause wild animals to migrate
contamination of the rivers may cause fish kills and destruction of other aquatic life
riverine ecosystems modifications due to over-abstraction
conduct feasibility studies,
Minimize vibrations and strong noise,
enforcement of parks and wildlife law,
avoid contamination of soil and water
PCU, District Agric. Officer NGOs
Requirement of the Parks and Wildlife Act.
TEXT REF.
IMPACT MITIGATION/ENHANCEMENT RESPONSI-
BILITY CAPACITY BUILDING
for irrigation purposes Environmental flows must be reserved at all times.
(v) Disturbance of marginal areas
Establishing the projects in such areas poses serious threats to their further degradation.
Avoid extraction of raw materials from marginal areas,
no construction of structures in marginal areas.
PCU, NGOs and beneficiaries
(vi) Exposure to Agro-chemicals
Use of agro-chemicals may increase to realise better yields, control pests and diseases.
This can then expose the farmers to these toxic chemicals
Encourage organic farming and limit the use of Agro-chemicals like inorganic fertilizers.
Use integrated Pest Management approaches to minimize pesticide use.
Conduct awareness training & workshops on safe handling of chemicals.
MAFS, PCU, Scheme Management Committee
(vii) Loss of fragile ecosystems
Fragile ecosystems like wetlands, quickly degrade and loose their functionality if misused.
Conduct feasibility studies before construction,
use expert knowledge of ecologists,
introduction of ecosystem conservation projects,
fencing out some sensitive sites.
harvesting of resources in wetlands must be controlled.
Agricultural activities in wetlands must be under controlled conditions – sustainable use of wetlands.
Invasive alien species must not be introduced into sensitive ecosystem.
Contractors, PCU, District , Forestry Department,
(viii) Effluent and Solid Waste
Most agricultural, livestock, agro-industries, packaging and marketing operations produce solid waste. - Steam and hot water boilers produce ash - Fresh food and processed food markets, waste from
canning - Livestock production units produce manure, dairy
waste, waste from slaughter houses
Seek guidance of local environmental officers to identify acceptable disposal sites.
Waste from agricultural activities can be further processed into other uses, e.g. organic manure. Reuse and recycling must be preferred over disposal of the waste.
PCU; Local Environmental Officer.
Likely hazardous and non-hazardous construction waste
(ix) Ambient air quality
Air Quality will be impacted by emissions waste from piggery, chicken manure, processing etc.
Air Quality will be impacted by emissions from vehicles, earthmoving equipment and released particulate matters.
Demolition to modify the built environment will lead to considerable levels of cement dust which can affect workers and the public.
Animal waste must be handled properly to avoid smell.
Contractors should use dust screens or nets in windows, doorways and ventilators of rooms where demolition or other dusty construction activities are occurring.
Dust suppression measures must be instituted at all sites.
PCU and Contractor
None
(x) Ambient Water Quality
Water quality will be impacted by wastewater discharges from construction activities including onsite sewage and rainwater run-off.
Soil and water pollution resulting from the accumulation of solid and liquid waste.
Soil and water pollution from chemicals & fertilizers meant for production.
Water quality may be impacted by waste streams from piggery or processing plants.
Contractors to erect proper sanitary facilities.
Pollution from lubricants and other wastes to be avoided.
Controlled disposal of wastes and effluent by use of appropriate disposal facilities, use of appropriate drainage structures, use of cleaner technologies, proper storage of materials, awareness campaigns
Waste must be recycled and reused to avoid dumping in waterways.
PCU and Contractor, District Agric. Officer
None
(xi) Temporary Visual Intrusions
Rehabilitation and upgrading of agricultural facilities like Warehouses, processing plants and other possible facilities will change the characteristics of the area and leave a marred landscape.
Contractor should ensure minimum footprint of construction activities and provide decent accommodation for workers.
All altered landscapes (Sand pits, borrow pits, brick molding sites etc) should be rehabilitated by the contractor.
Contractor and DAO.
none
5.3 SOCIAL AND HEALTH IMPACTS
5.3.1 PLANNING PHASE
(i) Anxiety and Anticipation
Project planning lacks transparency and may take rather long.
stakeholders anxious as they do not know exactly what will happen and when it will happen
The planning stage must be shortened and on commencement the implementation must be within schedule.
MAFS,PCU and Contractor
None
(ii) Poor Stakeholder Participation
Poor participation of communities, staff members and other stakeholders in the planning and designing of the project.
All relevant stakeholders should be continuously involved and attend meetings from planning to construction
MAFS, PCU and Contractor
None
5.3.2 IMPLEMENTATION/OPERATION PHASE
(i) Loss of assets or access to assets
Interference with the normal access to assets like grazing or hunting grounds.
Where ever possible avoid impacting on people.
Create alternative access routes.
Preparation and implementation of a Resettlement Policy Framework which will include compensation plans.
MAFS, PCU, MLGC
(ii) Loss of income sources, and or means of livelihood
Establishment of schemes removing their usual source of incomes or livelihoods.
Create alternative sources of livelihood e.g. by involving the affected parties in the scheme. Preparation and implementation of a Resettlement Policy Framework, which will include compensation plans.
MAFS, PCU, MLGC
(iii) Disruption of footpaths
Establishment of schemes cutting off their usual footpaths or routes.
Engage in good irrigation scheme designs Relocate the footpaths and construct foot bridges where possible.
PCU Scheme Management
(iv) Occupational Health Safety risks
The movement of trucks to and from the site, the operation All safety precautions must be enforced. MAFS, PCU Application of
of various equipment and machinery and the actual agricultural activities will expose the workers to work-related accidents and injuries.
Pollutants such as dust and noise could also have negative implications for the health of workers.
Provide PPE to all workers.
Institute dust and noise suppression measures.
and Contractor various types of PPE and their proper use.
(vi) Noise
Noise and vibration caused by machines, site vehicles, pneumatic drills etc
Noise from the chicken, pigs or whatever animals which are being raised.
Noise from the processing of agricultural produce.
Contractor to avoid old equipment.
Heavy duty equipment to be minimized.
Noisy operations to be limited to certain times.
Noise levels to be limited to within acceptable levels.
Animal raising to be in designated areas to avoid being a nuisance to the general public.
Processing plants should be sited away from residential areas.
MAFS, PCU and Contractor
None
(vii) Social misdemeanour by construction workers
Impacts associated with the contractor‘s camp include:
Disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
Theft, alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases (especially HIV/AIDS).
As a contractual obligation, contractors should be required to have an HIV/AIDS policy and a framework (responsible staff, action plan, etc) to implement it during project execution.
Contractor to curb thefts and misbehaviour through a code of conduct.
Contractor to manage any of its waste properly.
MAFS, PCU and Contractor
None
(viii) Income to equipment and material suppliers
Project will promote local procurement where technically or commercially reasonable and feasible.
For building materials, procure from legitimate sources to avoid encouraging environmental degradation.
Environmentally friendly processes should be encouraged.
MAFS, PCU and Contractor
None
(ix) Employment Opportunities
Expanded Agricultural facilities and programmes will result in the creation of more long-term job opportunities.
Offer appropriate training for staff to manage the improved facilities.
MAFS, PCU and Scheme Managers
Staff training in operation of improved facilities
(x) Improvement in livelihoods and local economies
Improved agricultural outputs will enhance the livelihoods of the communities, raising their incomes and hence further improve productivity and lifestyles.
Social conflicts may arise due to increased wealth differentials among the population.
Leadership should promote viable economic activities.
Awareness on replication by others should be a continuous process
MAFS and local leadership
Stake holder training in entrepreneurship.
(xi) Improved aesthetics and life of agricultural facilities
Renovation s and up-scaling of agricultural activities will improve their aesthetics and this should be maintained.
Maintenance teams to be stationed at readily accessible places for the agricultural facilities.
Planned maintenance of machines and buildings to be instituted.
MAFS, PCU and Agricultural facility management
Maintenance Staff training in the maintenance of newly installed agricultural equipment
(xiii) Disputes over water resources
Over-abstraction of water may trigger conflicts in the project areas.
Provide water management training to farmers.
Introduce alternative sources of water such as boreholes.
Introduce water saving technologies like drip irrigation to utilize minimal amounts of water.
District Agricultural Officer
7.3 PUBLIC CONSULTATION PLAN The implementing agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has the responsibility to effectively engage stakeholders in achieving the project objectives for the benefit of all. This public consultation plan (PCP) forms part of the environmental management plan ESMP and is the same for all categories of agricultural projects. It is for use during public consultation in the screening processes for every programme funded sub-project. 7.3.1 Objectives This plan provides a framework for achieving effective stakeholder involvement and promoting greater awareness and understanding of issues so that the project is carried out effectively within budget and on-time to the satisfaction of all concerned. To ensure effective implementation of this plan, the MAFS shall be committed to the following principles:
• promoting openness and communication; • ensuring effective stakeholder involvement; • evaluating the effectiveness of the engagement plan in accordance with the expected
outcomes. 7.3.2 Identifying Stakeholders Stakeholders for the purpose of this project shall be defined as all those people and institutions that have an interest in the successful planning and execution of the project. This includes those likely to be positively and negatively affected by the project. Table 7.2 identifies the key stakeholders. Table 7.2 Stakeholder Identification Matrix
AFFECTED PARTIES HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM
People living in the vicinity of the proposed works. (students, teachers, parents etc)
Identify the local government area(s) that falls within 500m radius of the proposed schools.
Review available data to determine the profile of the whole stakeholder or relevant group.
Use identified groups and individuals to tap into stakeholder networks to identify others.
Special interest groups Identify key individuals or groups through organized groups, local clubs, community halls and religious places.
Be aware of similar local groups or individuals.
The consultation process shall ensure that all those identified as stakeholders are consulted with. Subject to MAFS‘s approval, the Environmental/Social consultant will share information about the project with the public to enable meaningful contributions and thus enhance the success of the project. Public consultation will take place through workshops, seminars, meetings, radio programs, request for written proposals/comments, questionnaire administration, public reading and explanation of project ideas and requirements 7.4 ESMP IMPLEMENTATION BUDGET The quantities, specifications and estimated costs of design measures to avoid or mitigate negative environmental and social impacts will have to be incorporated into design and bidding documents. The project budget needs to also incorporate funds to assure satisfactory implementation of ESMPs.
CHAPTER EIGHT: MONITORING PLAN
8.1 INTRODUCTION The lead implementing agency (MAFS) with the help of relevant authorities must monitor the environmental effects of project implementation and the effectiveness of mitigation measures. This monitoring is an important part of managing the impacts of the project. This should be done by an independent team of experts drawn from all relevant sectors.
8.2 AREAS TO BE MONITORED 8.2.1 Soils Soil degradation occurs as the soils are exposed and or compacted during the agricultural sub-project implementation potentially decreasing the drainage of the areas. The farmers must ensure that no gullies develop in the project area or rills at the edges of agricultural field area. This can be avoided by taking such soil erosion measures as construction of embankments and designing drainage along work areas. The absence of gullies and rills will be used as a measure of the success of the control measures. The soil can be scotched by chemical spillages. This will render the soil poisonous and it must be controlled and monitored regularly. 8.2.2 Vegetation Unnecessary vegetation clearing and grass fires must be prevented at all costs. The trees should not be gathered for firewood or cut for other purposes. The local residents must be monitored for overexploitation of forest resources such as firewood. 8.2.3 Loss of natural and cultural heritage The replication/upgrading works may affect some natural features, antics and relics in the project area. Measures should be put in place for chance/opportunistic finds and any such incidences must be treated as required by the relevant Act. 8.2.4 Wildlife In some instances, farmers may want to snare wild animals that are perceived as pests. All wildlife should be treated in accordance with the Wildlife Act. 8.2.5 Marginal lands/fragile ecosystems Marginal lands and fragile ecosystems must be protected against inappropriate use. Measures should be put in place to ensure proper management of marginal lands and fragile ecosystems. 8.2.6 Chemical pollution A great likelihood of chemical pollution of the water and the soil from excessive agro-chemical use exists and in order to monitor the amount of pollutants in the soil or water, samples must be taken regularly for pollution testing. 8.2.7 Water resources Both quality and quantity of water resources in the rivers within the project area must be properly managed for sustainable agriculture to persist.
8.2.8 Ambient air quality All air polluting activities need to be checked regularly to minimise their effect on air quality.
8.2.9 Socio-Cultural Issues Regular health checks of the work force/farmers are a way to monitor disease patterns of the members of the community to ensure that no new strains of diseases are being introduced.
8.2.10 Noise and Vibrations It will be important to routinely monitor noise levels from the machinery to ensure that it conforms to the limits recommended for noise levels. 8.3 GENERAL It is recommended that all environmental parameters mentioned above be monitored during the implementation and operation stages and any impacts should be mitigated as soon as possible. The farmers and the PCU should monitor on a daily basis. In the course of monitoring, if and when any significant impacts are detected, the monitoring team should meet and address the issue. All team members should keep records of such meetings.
8.4 THE MONITORING PLAN The Monitoring Plan is summarized in Table 8.1 below.
Table 8.1: Monitoring Activities and Indicators
ISSUE METHOD OF MONITORING AREAS OF CONCERN POSITIVE INDICATOR FREQUENCY RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES
Soils The Developer should make a daily inspection of earth works, and ensure that slopes are suitably graded. Once earthworks are complete the PCU should monitor the restoration measures implemented by the Contractor, such as re-vegetation
Soil erosion
Conservation activities
Rangelands management
an absence of rills, gullies or other erosion features occurs
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
Ministry of Forestry and land Reclamation (MFLR)
Vegetation The farmers must clear area to be used and site works only.
Clearing of the project site and disturbance of animals.
flora and fauna
No unnecessary vegetation cleared
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
Ministry of Forestry and land Reclamation (MFLR)
Environmental Department.
Animals
(Game corridors)
The farmers and the Environment Department staff should carry out regular inspections of the area and check that usual animal access routes are maintained.
Birds Interference with nesting sites Nesting sites
Migratory routes
Reproductive patterns of birds undisturbed
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
Environmental Department
National parks
Small mammals habitat loss
Ensure that no unnecessary habitat loss occurs. Animal habitats No Mammals are displaced from their habitats.
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
Environmental Department
National parks
Poaching Monitoring is the responsibility of the Department of National Parks and the Police Departments.
Poaching Number of poaching incidences reduced or eliminated.
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
Environmental Department
National parks
Police department
Crime The PCU should Liaise with police department if crime/theft becomes a problem.
Criminal activities in the area
Crime theft kept to a minimum. Incidences of stock theft and house breaking minimized.
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
National parks
Police department
District Administrator
ISSUE METHOD OF MONITORING AREAS OF CONCERN POSITIVE INDICATOR FREQUENCY RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES
Noise Noise monitoring should be carried out on an ad-hoc basis by the Environmental Monitor or the PCU to establish noise levels in the work areas.
Noise Levels Noise levels at the nearest sensitive receiver would be kept to a minimum.
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented.
Ministry Of Health
Department Of Environment
Health The PCU must ensure that education and awareness campaigns are implemented. The Ministry of Health, local authority should carry out awareness campaigns on animal related diseases, water-borne diseases and carry out vector control methods such as regular spraying of potential breeding sites (ponds)
Public health
Ensure that stagnant water is sprayed to destroy mosquito larvae.
Waste management at Sub-project sites.
Disease outbreak due to concentration of people at the Sub-project sites.
Disease outbreak due to dust and water pollution.
Control and management of various animal diseases
Reduction in number of cases of such diseases as Avian flu, foot and mouth, AIDS/STD related diseases recorded at hospital and medical clinic
Reduction in number of diseases such as malaria and cholera
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
Ministry Of Health
PMU
MAFS
Archaeology Provision should be made to allow archaeologists to be present on site during the excavation periods if they so wish. The PCU should inspect all excavations, and where archaeological remains are found work must stop until the PCU has given the all clear to proceed. The PCU should contact the Museums Authorities in the event of a significant archaeological find.
Archaeological Findings Archaeological remains not excavated, disturbed or destroyed.
Regularly and ongoing as project is implemented
Room for chance finds
Department Of Culture
Energy The Developer must inspect the provisions made by the Contractor to supply energy to the workforce, and ensure that fuel wood is not being collected. The Environmental Department should enforce legislation which prohibits cutting down of trees. The Environmental Department, PCU and local leadership (cultural and political) should sensitize the workers against cutting down of trees.
Types of energy sources used in the project
Energy supplied by electric generator or other suitable source. Deforestation and resultant erosion controlled and reduced
Regularly Ministry of Forestry and land Reclamation (MFLR)
Department Of Environment
Air Pollution Observations should be made on the level of dust generated during the Agricultural Activity implementation by the Environmental Monitor or PCU. Dampening should be carried out if levels are unacceptable.
Levels of dust emissions Deposition of dust on surfaces should decrease with increased dampening
Regularly Ministry Of Health
PMU
MAFS
ISSUE METHOD OF MONITORING AREAS OF CONCERN POSITIVE INDICATOR FREQUENCY RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES
Water resources
Water resources should be managed well
The Ministry of Health should test borehole water quality in the area to ascertain the suitability for human consumption.
Watercourses and impoundments.
Surface water quality
Ground Water Quality
Recommended distances from watercourses.
Possible dam construction sites.
Water made available for environmental concerns.
Pollution of water resources monitored/detected early and remedial measures taken on time
Tests for water pollution to be done regularly
Ministry Of Health
PMU
MAFS
Department Of Environment
Landscape The PCU should make visual inspection of earth works to ensure that excessive excavation is not being carried out. Temporary screening may be appropriate in some cases.
Visual intrusions
Aesthetics
Landscape alteration reduced to a minimum
Monthly Department Of Culture
Department Of Environment
Complaints The PCU should inspect the record of complaints made by local residents, to be kept by the farmers, and should check that action is taken promptly and that the number of complaints is kept to the minimum possible
Complaints Number of complaints decreases.
Regularly PMU
MAFS
Department Of Environment
Local governance
MLGC to ensure the following
compliancy to designs
Employment opportunities and recruitment are transparent.
Allocation of land is overboard
Cultural values are respected.
Land management
Land allocations
Socio cultural issues
Local governance
Social Aspects,
Land rights
Disputes over land reduced
Cooperation of local leadership is secured
Locals employed in the projects
Regularly Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship
District Councils
PMU
MAFS
Agricultural Activities
Ensure that Agricultural Activities follow designs and recommendations given for proper agricultural practices.
Ensure overall management of the Programme.
Appropriate land use downstream is done and no pollution of crops from contaminated water from spillages.
Siting of works, plan Land degradation curbed
Program running smoothly
Regularly PMUt
MAFS
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CHAPTER NINE: TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING
9.1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS The successful implementation and monitoring of the environmental and social management plan depends on collaboration of different stakeholders, at local level (area level), district level and at national level. This is necessary because the implementation of the activities will require inputs, expertise and resources which will be adequately taken care of if the concerned parties work together. The following sections outline some of the selected and recommended activities to be done by each stakeholder in the environmental activities. (a) Area and District (Local) level
The Area Extension Officers and their area technical Officers, which include Agricultural Assistants, will be responsible for completing the Environmental and Social Screening Form (Appendix 1) to be able to identify and mitigate the potential environmental and social impacts from sub-project activities. The screening process will be under the supervision of the District Environmental Officers and as required, they will receive environmental training to be able to carry out this task.
The Area Extension Officers (AEO) with the assistance of Environmental Units, will be responsible for (i) determining the environmental category and the extent of environmental management work required based on the screening results; and proposing mitigation measures for identified impacts.
The District Agricultural Officer (DAO) will review the recommendations in the screening form, review the proposed mitigation measures, conduct public consultations and make recommendations to the National Level/MAFS for approval.
Monitoring of the agricultural activities to ensure that environmental issues are taken into consideration will be done by the District Agricultural Officer.
(b) National level:
In the event that a sub-project activity under the SADP falls under the listed projects in the Environment Act, MAFS will review the recommendations from the District and undertake the process of seeking the approval of the EIA through the Environmental Department/ National Environmental Secretariat (NES).
MAFS or the developer may also arrange for public consultations as part of the EIA process.
9.2 ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED TRAINING ACTIVITIES OF STAKEHOLDERS The proposed Smallholder Agricultural Development Project activities will be numerous and challenging. Successful implementation of the project activities will require dynamic and multi-disciplinary professionals. Therefore, regular short and tailor made training courses and seminars will be required to reinforce the capacity and skills of the stakeholders and farmers during the entire project period. Training and seminars will also be required for building capacity and awareness in social and environmental issues including effects of
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deforestation and soil erosion. Table 9.1 below provides costs estimates for the identified capacity building activities. The basis of the estimates is on some of the following:
Prevailing costs of goods and services offered in typical urban or rural areas
An average number of 30 people for District Agricultural Office team
An average number of 30 people for a local level team
The length of training sessions will depend on the course, and will vary from 3 days to about 2 weeks
The estimated costs include training costs/fees, hire of rooms, food for participants, per diems, and transport costs. Training subsistence allowances have been estimated at R 100.00 per participant per day while a lump sum of R 25 000.00 has been included for each training session to cover the costs of the trainer
Table 9.1 Summary of Capacity Building Requirements and Cost Estimates.
No. TRAINING ACTIVITY TARGET GROUP /
TRAINER MEANS OF
VERIFICATION COST
ESTIMATES
1. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the projects: - Screening process. - Use of checklists - Preparation of terms of
reference. - Identification of Impacts - EIA report preparation and
processing - Strategic action planning for
Environmental Management - Policies and laws in Lesotho - World Bank safeguard
policies
District Agricultural Office Team
District Environment Units
Extension workers in project impact areas.
TRAINER: Dept of Environment OR PRIVATE CONSULTANT
10 members of District Agricultural Office Team are trained.
10 District Environment Units members are trained.
10 Extension workers in project impact areas trained.
R 41 500 (one session during the entire project period) Length: 5 days
2. Pest Management - Types of pests - Identification of pests - Biological control of pests - Physical control of pests - Chemical (pesticide) control - Environmental control
Scheme Farmers
Scheme Management Committee
TRAINER: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
10 members of scheme management committee
10 Extension Workers
30 Farmers
R 51 000 (One session during the entire project period) Venue: Farm Length: 5 days
3. Facilitate HIV/AIDS awareness. - Impacts of HIV/AIDS on
social wellbeing, livelihood and projects
- Mitigation measures - Care of victims
Extension workers in project impact areas
Scheme farmers. TRAINER: NAC, MAFS
10 Extension workers in project impact areas trained.
30 Scheme Framers from various schemes trained
TO USE NAC RESOURCES
(Two sessions during entire project period) Venue: Length: 5 days
4. Water Management - When to irrigate - How much water to apply - For how long - Water rights
Crop Management - Crop selection - Crop rotations - Cropping calendar - How to apply fertilizer - Use of organic manure /
compost - Weeding - Crop harvesting & storage
Extension workers and Farmers
Extension workers and Farmers
TRAINER: PRIVATE CONSULTANT OR MAFS
10 Extension Workers
30 Farmers
R 45 500 (One session during the entire project period) Venue: The farms Length: 5days
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No. TRAINING ACTIVITY TARGET GROUP /
TRAINER MEANS OF
VERIFICATION COST
ESTIMATES
5. Pesticide Management - Pesticides Types and Use - Packaging, labelling and
Handling - Storage, Stacking and
Release - Pesticides Record
Maintenance
Pesticides Procurement - Identification of Pesticide
Dealers - Pesticides Handling &
Transportation - Record Maintenance
Pesticides Application and Disposal - Types and Handling of
Equipment - Pesticides Toxicity - Safety of Applicators (OSHA) - First Aid - Care, Cleaning and Disposal
of Pesticides and Equipment
Scheme Procurement Committee
Scheme Store Keepers
Pesticide Transporters
Scheme store Keepers
Pesticide Applicators
All Farmers
Scheme Management Committee
TRAINER: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
10 members of Scheme Procurement Committee Trained
10 Extension Workers
30 Farmers Trained
R 102 000 (Two sessions for the entire project period) Venue: The Farm Length: 5 days
6. Maintenance of the Agricultural facilities - Detecting the damaged
structures - Materials needed to maintain
the damaged structures
Hygiene and sanitation - Water supply - Sanitation - Water and sanitation related
diseases - Infrastructure needed on the
scheme for sanitation enhancement
Extension workers and Farmers
Extension workers and Farmers
TRAINER: PRIVATE CONSULTANT OR MAFS
10 Extension Workers
30 Farmers
R 45 500 (One session during the entire project period) Venue: The farms Length: 5 days
9.3 PROPOSED APPROACH IN EXECUTING THE TRAINING ACTIVITIES The training activities in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment can be conducted by the Department of Environment or private consultants under the supervision of the Department of Environment. This will have to be done at the beginning of the project, before the project activities start, so that the participants are ready in time to apply the knowledge during implementation of the project activities. Skills in the screening process will be very useful for assessing the environmental implications of the project activities before they start. Pest Management and Pesticide Management Training activities will be implemented by the MAFS who have the requisite knowledge of types of pesticides and their application. They also have the practical knowledge and experience with different pest and pesticides. The training may be conducted during the early stages of the project activities but before that first planting season. This training should be executed twice during the project life, preferably at the beginning and at project mid-term. The HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns would be conducted by the Aids Council under their planned national activities. The Ministry of Agriculture is already collaborating with the Aids
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Council on programmes that have already been drawn up. This training activity should be conducted at the beginning of the project activities and annually thereafter. Irrigation Technology and Management; Water Management; Crop Management, Procurement, Marketing and Financial training would be facilitated internally by the Department of Agriculture or the appropriate private consultants would have to be engaged to carry out the training. These training activities should be conducted at the beginning of the operation phase, soon after construction activities, to take advantage of the farming activities for practical training. 9.4 SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITIES
The resettlement and land acquisition programme (if applicable) will have to be funded by the Government through normal procedures for payment of compensation and through the Ministry of Local Government.
The proposed environmental training activities for the project will be funded directly by the project resources in accordance with the proposed plan laid out in Table 9.1 above. A summary of the budgetary requirements for the proposed training activities is as follows:
- Training in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment 41 500 - Training in Pest Management 51 000 - Training in Pesticide Management 102 000 - Water and Crop Management Training 45 500 - Maintenance and Hygiene and Sanitation 45 500
TOTAL R 285 500
Cost estimates for the rest of the activities in the environmental and social management plan cannot be given now since some of the project sites and activities are not known and will be demand driven. The main consultants for the project will therefore, have to cost these activities, together with the other main project activities, to ensure that the environmental recommendations made in the environmental management plan are implemented.
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CHAPTER TEN: GUIDELINES FOR SUB-PROJECT SCREENING, APPRAISAL, APPROVAL AND IMPLEMENTATION
10.1 INTRODUCTION This chapter describes the process for ensuring that environmental and social potential impacts are adequately addressed. The first step of the process is to consult the schedule to the Environment Act which lists all types of projects and activities that are subject to EA. If the project is in the list the next step is to determine the level of EA work required. Agricultural projects generally require EA work under Lesotho legislation. At PCN stage the SADP was rated environmental assessment category B and thus most of the sub-projects will fall within this category. There will not be a category ‗A‘ sub-project funded by SADP. However, it is recommended that SADP should avoid sensitive areas and take steps to ensure that sub-projects stay within category B. Thus every sub-project that will be funded under SADP will require environmental screening. The environmental screening process will be affected on potential sub-projects which have been selected by the beneficiaries (See Figure 3). The district teams will help the farmers in preparing their sub-projects applications to avoid or minimize adverse environmental and social impacts. They will use the Environmental and social screening form (see Appendix 1) together with information on typical sub-project impacts and mitigation measures in the environmental management plan (EMP) (Table 8.1 and Appendix 11). Wherever possible farmers and extension teams should attempt to avoid the need for special planning reports (e.g. ESMP, RAP or PMP) since they require extra resources to prepare and this may require amendments to the sub-project design. Nevertheless, in the event of farmers and extension teams identifying good sub-projects that will significantly contribute to local development these additional studies must be carried out and reports prepared. In these cases, the DEO must confirm the need. The sections below (10.2–10.7) detail the stages of the environmental and social screening process (the screening process) leading towards the review and environmental approval of any sub-project that will be undertaken in the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project.
10.2 DESK APPRAISAL (i) Environmental Screening. Prior to going to the sites, a desk appraisal of the agricultural activities plans, including designs, will be carried out by the Resource Centre level technical team comprising experts from i) MAFS-Area Extension Officers ii) Districts Environmental Officers, iii) Ministry of forestry and land reclamation, and iv) Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship, to ensure that all pertinent environmental issues are identified. This initial screening will be carried out through the use of the Environmental and Social Screening Form (Appendix 1). This form will be completed by Area Extension Officer (Head of Agriculture in the area), with assistance from the Resource Centre level technical team.
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Completion of this screening form will facilitate the identification of potential environmental and social impacts, determination of their significance, assignment of the appropriate environmental category, proposal of appropriate environmental mitigation measures, and conduct any further environmental work, if necessary. Suitably qualified officials will conduct the screening process and if none are available, training will be provided. (ii) Assigning the Environmental Categories The assignment of the appropriate environmental category to a particular agricultural activity will be based on the information provided in the environmental and social screening form (Appendix 1). The Resource Centre level technical team of experts, will be responsible for categorizing an agricultural activity either as A, B, or C. The assignment of the appropriate environmental category will be based on provisions in Operational Policy (OP) 4.01 Environmental Assessment. Consistent with this operational policy, most of the agricultural activities of the current project are likely to be categorized as B, meaning that their potential adverse environmental impacts on human populations or environmentally important areas – including wetlands, forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats – are site-specific, few if any of the impacts are irreversible, and they can be mitigated readily. Some rehabilitation activities such as the water proofing of leaky tanks or painting buildings might be categorized as ―C‖ if the environmental and social screening results indicate that such activities will have no significant environmental and social impacts and therefore do not require additional environmental work. Thus, if the screening form has only ―No‖ entries, the proposed activity will not require further environmental work, and the technical team of experts will recommend approval of this proposal and implementation can proceed immediately in line with category 1 of the Government of Lesotho EIA guidelines. The environmental category ―A‖ (significant, irreversible impacts) most likely will not apply to the agricultural activities to be funded in the proposed project.
10.3 REVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND FIELD APPRAISAL All the screening information is then submitted to the District Agricultural Officer (DAO) for review. The DAO will review the recommendations in the screening form, review the proposed mitigation measures, and conduct public consultations. The DAO will further determine, whether (a) the application of simple mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental and Social screening form (Appendix 1) will suffice; or whether further Environmental work needs to be done. If the desk appraisal indicates that the proposed sub-project may have environmental or social concerns that are not adequately addressed in the current documentation, or if the application meets certain criteria (see Table 10.1), the DAO will require a field appraisal before the sub-project application can be considered further. An example of a format for a field appraisal report is provided in (Appendix 2).
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Table 10.1 Criteria for Requiring a Field Appraisal Criteria Field Appraisal
1. Land must be acquired for a sub-project, an individual or community's access to land or available resources is restricted or lost, or an individual or family is displaced
Determines the scale and level of impact. A Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) may then be required according to procedures detailed in RPF Document.
2. A sub-project may-affect a protected area or a natural habitat
Determines if the sub-project will adequately avoid adverse effects on the protected area or natural habitat, as provided for in Chapter 8 of the ESMF
3. A sub-project may have an impact on ecologically sensitive ecosystems (e.g. of impact on wetlands)
A field appraisal determines the scale and level of impact. The application may need to be revised to describe how the sub-project will avoid or minimize adverse impacts to ecologically sensitive areas. This may require a distinct Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) as outlined in chapter 10 of the ESMF
4. A sub-project will involve or introduce the use of pesticides
A field appraisal determines the scale and level of the concerns. If needed, a Pest Management Plan is prepared according to the requirements of Chapter 10 of the ESMF.
5. A sub-project may involve, or result in: * Diversion or use of surface waters; * Production of waste (e.g. slaughterhouse waste); * New or rebuilt irrigation or drainage * Small dams, weirs, reservoirs, wells, or water points.
A field appraisal determines the scale and potential adverse effects, and may include an ESMP as outlined Chapter 10 of the ESMF.
Note: these criteria should be updated based on field experience in implementing sub-projects. The DAO will supervise the further environmental work which may include the preparation of an ESMP (Appendix 3), RAP/ARAP or PMP as the situation may require. Once all the requisite documentation has been compiled the DAO will make recommendations to National Level for approval.
10.4 APPRAISAL AND APPROVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL WORK The completed screening form along with any additional planning reports (e.g. ESMP, RAP or PMP) is forwarded together with the overall sub-project application to the review authority – MAFS (National Level). The first step in the approval process is to determine if all the relevant information has been provided, and is adequate. MAFS (National Level) will also check if the farmers and technical team have thoroughly considered all environmental and social issues with regards to the identification of potential adverse effects arising from the sub-project as well as mitigating measures to adequately address negative impacts. If, based on the desk appraisal and if needed, the field appraisal, national legislation requires further review, MAFS (National Level) will refer the application to the approval authority – the Department of Environment - with recommendations for approval conditions and implementation supervision (e.g. erosion control, waste management, human safety). 10.5 ANNUAL MONITORING AND REVIEWS Environmental monitoring needs to be carried out during the implementation of the Sub-projects. Monitoring of the compliance of sub-project implementation with the mitigation measures set out in the sub-project‘s ESMP, PMP and/or RAP will be carried out jointly by farmers, extension teams and the PCU. District Agricultural Offices should supervise the monitoring activities and are required to report annually on sub-project activities during the preceding year. The information to be included in these annual reports is shown in
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Appendix 5. An annual monitoring report must be submitted to IFAD and the WB by the MAFS. Compliance monitoring comprises on-site inspection of activities to verify that measures identified in the ESMP, PMP and/or RAP are being implemented. This type of monitoring is similar to the normal tasks of a supervising engineer whose task is to ensure that the Contractor is achieving the required standards and quality of work. An appointed environmental consultant will have the responsibility of conducting the environmental inspections. An annual inspection report must be submitted (together with the monitoring report) to IFAD and WB for review and approval. Annual reviews may be carried out by an independent local consultant, NGO or other service provider that is not otherwise involved with SADP (Appendix 4). Annual reviews should evaluate the annual monitoring report from district Agricultural Offices and the annual inspection report from MAFS. The purpose of the reviews is two-fold:
1. To assess compliance with ESMF procedures, learn lessons, and improve future ESMF performance;
2. To assess the occurrence of, and potential for, cumulative impacts due to project-funded and other development activities.
The annual reviews will be a principal source of information to the PCU for improving performance, and to Bank supervision missions. Thus, they should be undertaken after the annual report on monitoring has been prepared and before Bank supervision of the project. Guidance on undertaking annual reviews is provided Appendix 4 of this ESMF. (i) Monitoring Indicators In order to be able to assess the effectiveness of the proposed mitigation measures for the impacts that will arise from the potential agricultural activities, the following will be used as indicators for monitoring the programmes implementation:
Hectarage of vegetation clearance.
Length of infrastructure rehabilitated.
Hectarage of levelled land
Number of pit latrines for excreta disposal for workers
Quality of construction materials for the camps and lodges
Quality of water discharged from the establishments.
Number of employment opportunities for locals
10.6 SUMMARY OF THE SCREENING PROCESS Each sub-project funded by the World Bank will have to undergo the Environmental and Social screening process. Figure 3 below is an outline of the screening process:
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Figure 3 Flow for sub-projects identification, submission, evaluation and monitoring.
Farmers jointly with Resource centre level
Technical team.
World Bank approval and public
disclosure procedures
Resource centre level Technical team
No Category “A”
sub-projects will be
funded under SADP
If
Category
A
Reject
THEN
Review the recommendations in the screening form Conduct public consultation
DAO
If
Category
B & C
Public consultation and disclosure
THEN
UNDERTAKE FIELD APPRAISAL (To be based on Field Appraisal form: Appendix 2)
Determine any further EA work
Prepare ESMP (App 3), RAP/ARAP or PMP as required.
Make recommendations to Central level
DAO & Technical team
NATIONAL LEVEL
NATIONAL LEVEL
ACTIVITY RESPONSIBILITY
DESK APPRAISAL. Screening of Project activities and sites.
(To be based on screening form: Appendix 1)
Desk appraisal of the agricultural activities (Tech. Team)
Identification of Environmental and social impacts
Determination of Significance of impacts Assignment of appropriate environmental category,
Proposal of mitigation measures
Determination of the need for EIA
Determination of the need for RAPS
SUB-PROJECT
IDENTIFICATION AND
SELECTION
No Adverse
Impacts
Adverse Impacts
Present
Adopt EMP
in ESMF
Review all documentation Submit To Environmental Department For Approval/disapproval of review results & EMPs (Environmental License)
Government of Lesotho (2006), Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, The Kingdom of Lesotho Poverty Reduction Strategy. Morija Printing Works, Maseru, Lesotho
UNDP - GEF (2007), country programme strategy, GEF small grants programme – Lesotho 2008 – 2012
UNDP (2007), National Human Development Report 2006 – Lesotho. The challenges of HIV and AIDS, Poverty and Food Insecurity. Morija Printing Works, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (2010). Ministry of Tourism, Environment and culture, Department of Environment, Guidelines for environmental impact assessment
Government of Lesotho (2010). Department of planning and policy analysis ministry of agriculture and food security, Lesotho agricultural situation report 2008/09 Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (2002), Constitution of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (1993), Managed Resources Areas Order, No 18 of 1993, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (1991), Lesotho Water and Sewerage Authority Order No 29 of 1991, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (1997), Local Government Act 1997., Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (2009), Environment Act 2008, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (2010), Land Act 2010, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (1998), The Forestry Act 1998, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (1969), Weeds Eradication Act 1969, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (1970), Liremo Control Act 1970, Maseru, Lesotho
Government of Lesotho (1967), Mining Rights Act 1967, Maseru, Lesotho
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SCREENING FORM
THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SCREENING FORM
FOR
SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF
THE SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Name of the Project: Sub-projects Name: Sub-projects Location: Community Representative and Address: Extension Team Representative and Address: Site Selection: When considering the location of a sub-project, rate the sensitivity of the proposed site in the following table according to the given criteria. Higher ratings do not necessarily mean that a site is unsuitable. They do indicate a real risk of causing undesirable adverse environmental and social effects, and that more substantial environmental and/or social planning may be required to adequately avoid, mitigate or manage potential effects.
Issues Site Sensitivity
Rating Low Medium High
Natural habitats
No natural habitats present of any kind
No critical natural habitats; other natural habitats occur
Critical natural habitats present
Water quality and water resource availability and use
Water flows exceed any existing demand; low intensity of water use; potential water use conflicts expected to be low; no potential water quality issues
Medium intensity of water use; multiple water users; water quality issues are important
Intensive water use; multiple water users; potential for conflicts is high; water quality issues are important
Flat terrain; no potential stability/erosion problems; no known volcanic/seismic/ flood risks
Medium slopes; some erosion potential; medium risks from volcanic/seismic/ flood/ hurricanes
Mountainous terrain; steep slopes; unstable soils; high erosion potential; volcanic, seismic or flood risks
Cultural property
No known or suspected cultural heritage sites
Suspected cultural heritage sites; known heritage sites in broader area of influence
Known heritage sites in project area
Involuntary resettlement
Low population density; dispersed population; legal tenure is well-defined; well-defined water rights
Medium population density; mixed ownership and land tenure; well-defined water rights
High population density; major towns and villages; low-income families and/or illegal ownership of land; communal properties; unclear water rights
Completeness of Sub-projects Application: Does the sub-project application document contain, as appropriate, the following information? Yes No N/A Description of the proposed project and where it is located Reasons for proposing the project The estimated cost of construction and operation Information about how the site was chosen, and what alternatives were considered
A map or drawing showing the location and boundary of the project including any land required temporarily during construction
The plan for any physical works (e.g. layout, buildings, other structures, construction materials)
Any new access arrangements or changes to existing road layouts Any land that needs to be acquired, as well as who owns it, lives on it or has rights to use it
A work program for construction, operation and decommissioning the physical works, as well as any site restoration needed afterwards
Construction methods Resources used in construction and operation (e.g. materials, water, energy)
Information about measures included in the sub-projects plan to avoid or minimize adverse environmental and social impacts
Details of any permits required for the project
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Environmental and Social Checklist Yes No ESMF
Guid-ance
A Type of activity – Will the sub-projects :
1 Involve the construction or rehabilitation of any small dams, weirs or reservoirs?
2 Support irrigation schemes?
3 Build or rehabilitate any rural roads?
4 Build or rehabilitate any electric energy system?
4 Involve food processing?
5 Build or rehabilitate any structures or buildings?
6 Support agricultural activities?
7 Be located in or near an area where there is an important historical, archaeological or cultural heritage site?
8 Be located within or adjacent to any areas that are or may be protected by government (e.g. national park, national reserve, world heritage site) or local tradition, or that might be a natural habitat?
9 Depend on water supply from an existing dam, weir, or other water diversion structure?
If the answer to any of questions 1-9 is “Yes”, please use the indicated Resource Sheets or sections(s) of the ESMF for guidance on how to avoid or minimize typical impacts and risks
B Environment – Will the sub-projects :
10 Risk causing the contamination of drinking water?
11 Cause poor water drainage and increase the risk of water-related diseases such as malaria or bilharzia?
12 Harvest or exploit a significant amount of natural resources such as trees, soil or water?
13 Be located within or nearby environmentally sensitive areas (e.g. intact natural forests, mangroves, wetlands) or threatened species?
14 Create a risk of increased soil degradation or erosion?
15 Create a risk of increasing soil salinity?
16 Produce, or increase the production of, solid or liquid wastes (e.g. water, medical, domestic or construction wastes)?
17 Affect the quantity or quality of surface waters (e.g. rivers, streams, wetlands), or groundwater (e.g. wells)?
18 Result in the production of solid or liquid waste, or result in an increase in waste production, during construction or operation?
If the answer to any of questions 10-18 is “Yes”, please include an Environmental and social Management Plan (ESMP) with the sub-projects application.
C Land acquisition and access to resources – Will the sub-projects :
19 Require that land (public or private) be acquired (temporarily or permanently) for its development?
20 Use land that is currently occupied or regularly used for productive purposes (e.g. gardening, farming, pasture, fishing locations, forests)
21 Displace individuals, families or businesses?
22 Result in the temporary or permanent loss of crops, fruit trees or household infrastructure such as granaries, outside toilets and kitchens?
23 Result in the involuntary restriction of access by people to
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Yes No ESMF Guid-ance
legally designated parks and protected areas?
It the answer to any of the questions 19-23 is “Yes”, please consult the ESMF and, if needed, prepare an Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)
D Pesticides and agricultural chemicals – Will the sub-projects :
24 Involve the use of pesticides or other agricultural chemicals, or increase existing use?
If the answer to question 24 is “Yes”, please consult the ESMF and, if needed, prepare a Pest Management Plan (PMP).
F Dam safety – Will the sub-projects :
25 Involve the construction of a dam or weir?
26 Depend on water supplied from an existing dam or weir?
If the answer to question 25-26 is “Yes”, please consult the ESMF
CERTIFICATION
We certify that we have thoroughly examined all the potential adverse effects of this sub-project. To the best of our knowledge, the sub-projects plan as described in the application and associated planning reports (e.g. ESMP, RAP, PMP), if any, will be adequate to avoid or minimize all adverse environmental and social impacts. Community representative (signature): ………………………………………….…………… Extension team representative (signature): …………………………………………………… Date: …………………………………………………
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Desk Appraisal by Review Authority:
The sub-project can be considered for approval. The application is complete, all significant environmental and social issues are resolved, and no further sub-project planning is required.
A field appraisal is required. Note: A field appraisal must be carried out if the sub-project:
Needs to acquire land, or an individual or community’s access to land or available resources is restricted or lost, or any individual or family is displaced
May restrict the use of resources in a park or protected area by people living inside or outside of it
May affect a protected area or a critical natural habitat
May encroach onto an important natural habitat, or have an impact on ecologically sensitive ecosystems (e.g. rivers, streams, wetlands)
May adversely affect or benefit an indigenous people
Involves or introduces the use of pesticides
Involves, or results in: a) diversion or use of surface waters; b) construction or rehabilitation of latrines, septic or sewage systems; c) production of waste (e.g. slaughterhouse waste, medical waste); d) new or rebuilt irrigation or drainage systems; or e) small dams, weirs, reservoirs or water points.
The following issues need to be clarified at the sub-project site: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… A Field Appraisal report will be completed and added to the sub-project file. Name of desk appraisal officer (print): …………………………………………………………... Signature: ………………………………………………… Date: ………………………………
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APPENDIX 2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL FIELD APPRAISAL FORM NAME OF PROJECT Application Number: PART 1: IDENTIFICATION 1. Project Name: (for example: Rehabilitation of Nkhaketse Irrigation scheme – Botha Bothe District) 2. Project Location: (for example: Botha Bothe District) 3. Reason for Field Appraisal: Summarize the issues from the Screening form that determine the need for a Field Appraisal. 4. Date(s) of Field Appraisal: 5. Field Appraisal Officer and Address: 6. Extension Team Representative and Address: 7. Community Representative and Address: PART 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 8. Project Details: Provide details that are not adequately presented in the sub-project application. If needed to clarify sub-project details, attach sketches of the sub-project component(s) in relation to the community and to existing facilities. PART 3: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES 9. Will the project: Yes No * Need to acquire land? * Affect an individual or the community's access to land or available resources? * Displace or result in the involuntary resettlement of an individual or family? If "Yes", tick one of the following boxes:
The Resettlement Action Plan (RAP/ARAP) included in the sub-project application is adequate. No further action required.
The RAP/ARAP included in the sub-project application must be improved before the application can be considered further.
An RAP/ARAP must be prepared and approved before the application can be considered further.
10. Will the project: Yes No * Encroach onto an important natural habitat? * Negatively affect ecologically sensitive ecosystems? If "Yes", tick one of the following boxes:
The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) included in the sub-project application is adequate. No further action required.
The EMP included in the sub-project application must be improved before the application can be considered further.
An EMP must be prepared and approved before the application can be considered further. 11. Will this project involve or introduce pesticides? Yes No
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If "Yes", tick one of the following boxes:
The Pest Management Plan (PMP) included in the sub-project application is adequate. No further action is required.
The PMP included in the sub-project application must be improved before the application can be considered further.
A PMP must be prepared and approved before the application can be considered further. 12. Will this project involve or result in: Yes No * Diversion or use of surface waters? * Production of waste (e.g. slaughterhouse waste)? * New or rebuilt irrigation or drainage systems? If "Yes", tick one of the following boxes:
The application describes suitable measures for managing the potential adverse environmental effects of these activities. No further action required.
The application does not describe suitable measures for managing the potential adverse environmental effects of these activities. An ESMP must be prepared and approved before the application is considered further.
13. Will this project require the construction of a small dam or weir? Yes No If "Yes", tick one of the following boxes:
The application demonstrates that the structure(s) will be designed by qualified engineers, and will be built by qualified and adequately supervised contractors. No further action is required.
The application does not demonstrate that the structure(s) will be designed by qualified engineers, and will be built by qualified and adequately supervised contractors. The application needs to be amended before it can be considered further.
14. Will this project rely on water supplied from an existing dam or weir? Yes No If "Yes", tick one of the following boxes:
The application demonstrates that a dam safety report has been prepared, the dam is safe, and no remedial work is required. No further action is required.
The application does not demonstrate that a dam safety report has been prepared, the dam is safe, and no remedial work is required. A dam safety report must be prepared and approved before the application is considered further.
15. Are there any other environmental or social issues that have not been adequately addressed? Yes No If "Yes", summarize them: and tick one of the following boxes:
Before it is considered further, the application needs to be amended to include suitable measures for addressing these environmental or social issues.
An ESMP needs to be prepared and approved before the application is considered further. PART 4: FIELD APPRAISAL DECISION
The sub-project can be considered for approval. Based on a site visit and consultations with both interested and affected parties, the field appraisal determined that the community and its proposed project adequately address environmental and/or social issues as required by the ESMF.
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Further sub-project preparation work is required before the application can be considered further. The field appraisal has identified environmental and/or social issues that have not been adequately addressed. The following work needs to be undertaken before further consideration of the application:
All required documentation such as an amended application, ESMP, RAP/ARAP, or PMP will be added to the sub-projects file before the sub-projects is considered further. Name of field appraisal officer (print): ..................................................................... Signature: ................................................Date: ……………………………………
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APPENDIX 3 GUIDELINES FOR AN ESMP When a sub-project includes distinct mitigation measures (physical works or management activities), an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) needs to be included with the sub-project application. ESMP Content: An ESMP usually includes the following components:
Description of adverse effects: The anticipated effects are identified and summarized.
Description of mitigation measures: Each measure is described with reference to the effect(s) it is intended to deal with. As needed, detailed plans, designs, equipment descriptions, and operating procedures are described.
Description of monitoring program: Monitoring provides information on the occurrence of environmental effects. It helps identify how well mitigation measures are working, and where better mitigation may be needed. The monitoring program should identify what information will be collected, how, where and how often. It should also indicate at what level of effect there will be a need for further mitigation. How environmental effects are monitored is discussed below.
Responsibilities: The people, groups, or organizations that will carry out the mitigation and monitoring activities are defined, as well as to whom they report and are responsible. There may be a need to train people to carry out these responsibilities, and to provide them with equipment and supplies.
Implementation schedule: The timing, frequency and duration of mitigation measures and monitoring are specified in an implementation schedule, and linked to the overall sub-project schedule.
Cost estimates and sources of funds: These are specified for the initial sub-project investment and for the mitigation and monitoring activities as a sub-project is implemented. Funds to implement the EMP may come from the sub-project grant, from the community, or both. Government agencies and NGOs may be able to assist with monitoring.
Monitoring Methods: Methods for monitoring the implementation of mitigation measures or environmental effects should be as simple as possible, consistent with collecting useful information (see example below) and that community members can apply themselves. For example, they could just be regular observations of sub-project activities or sites during construction and then use. Are fences and gates being maintained and properly used around a new water point?; does a stream look muddier than it should and, if so, where is the mud coming from and why?; are pesticides being properly stored and used? Most observations of inappropriate behaviour or adverse effects should lead to commonsense solutions. In some cases (e.g. unexplainable increases in illness or declines in fish numbers), there may be a need to require investigation by a technically qualified person.
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Table 1. Example of monitoring water quality from a drainage project Item Monitoring Parameter Sampling
Frequency Monitoring Location
Operation Phase
Ground water quality pH salinity Alkalinity conductivity ammonia Total nitrates Phosphorus Pesticide scans BOD COD
pH salinity Alkalinity conductivity ammonia Total nitrates Phosphorus Pesticide scans BOD COD Coliforms
weekly above and below project influence and at strategic stations below and above drainage outfalls at minimum 500 meters; if the river exceeds 3 meters depth, samples at all stations should be at surface and 60-80% of depth
Drainage quality pH salinity Alkalinity conductivity ammonia Total nitrates Phosphorus Pesticide scans BOD COD Coliforms
Weekly At point of discharge
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APPENDIX 4 GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL REVIEWS Objectives: The objectives of annual reviews of ESMF implementation are two-fold: a) To assess Project performance in complying with ESMF procedures, learn lessons, and improve future performance; and b) To assess the occurrence of, and potential for, cumulative impacts due to SADP-funded and other development activities. The annual reviews are intended to be used by SADP management to improve procedures and capacity for integrating natural resources and environmental/social management into project operations. They will also be a principal source of information to Bank supervision missions. Scope of Work: ESMF Performance Assessment The overall scope of the performance assessment work is to: a) Assess the adequacy of the sub-project approval process and procedures based on interviews with project participants, project records, and the environmental and social performance of a sample of approved sub-projects; b) Assess the adequacy of ESMF roles and responsibilities, procedures, forms, information resource materials, etc.; c) Assess the needs for further training and capacity building; d) Identify key risks to the environmental and social sustainability of sub-projects; and e) Recommend appropriate measures for improving ESMF performance. The following tasks will be typical: a) Review provincial and district records of sub-projects preparation and approval (e.g. applications; screening checklists; ESMPs, RAP/ARAPs and PMPs appraisal forms; approval documents), monitoring reports as well as related studies or reports on wider issues of natural resources and environmental management in the country; b) On the basis of this review, conduct field visits of a sample of approved sub-projects to assess the completeness of planning and implementation work, the adequacy of environmental/social design, and compliance with proposed mitigation measures. The sample should be large enough to be representative and include a substantial proportion of sub-projects that had (or should have had) a field appraisal according to established ESMF criteria (see Section 7.2 The Screening Process). Sub-projects in sensitive natural or social environments should especially be included. c) Interview project and district officials responsible for sub-projects appraisal and approval to determine their experience with ESMF implementation, their views on the strengths and weaknesses of the ESMF process, and what should be done to improve performance. Improvements may concern, for example, the process itself, the available tools (e.g. guidelines, forms, and information sheets), the extent and kind of training available, and the amount of financial resources available. d) Develop recommendations for improving ESMF performance. Cumulative Impacts Assessment This part of the annual review assesses the actual or potential cumulative impacts of sub-projects with other sub-projects or development initiatives on the environment, natural resources and community groups. Cumulative impacts result from a number of individual small-scale activities that, on their own, have minimal impacts, but over time and in combination generate a significant impact. For example:
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* Decline in groundwater levels or quality due to the construction of numerous wells and the introduction of numerous small-scale irrigation works; * Overwhelmed or illegal waste and dumping sites due to the inappropriate disposal of increasing amounts of waste materials; * Illegal poaching of wildlife due to expansion of land under cultivation or increased proximity and access to protected areas through construction of small access roads; and * Attraction of large migrant populations to communities that have successfully introduced improve social infrastructure (such as schools, health centers or water sources) resulting in overcrowding, depletion of resources (e.g. space, supplies, water), etc. The function of this assessment is primarily as an "early warning" system for potential cumulative impacts that might otherwise go undetected and unattended to. It will be largely based on the observations of people interviewed during the field work, and trends that may be noticed by district or regional officials. Where cumulative impacts are detected or suspected, recommendations will be made to address the issue, perhaps through more detailed study to clarify matters and what should or can be done about them. Qualifications for Undertaking Annual Reviews: The reviews should be undertaken by an individual or small team with training and experience relevant to the likely issues to be encountered (e.g. environmental and natural resources management and land acquisition and resettlement). They should also be familiar with the methods and practices of effective community consultation, and with typical methods and processes for preparing, appraising, approving and implementing small-scale community development projects. Timing: Annual reviews should be undertaken after the annual monitoring report has been prepared and before Bank supervision of the project, at the closing of each year of the project. It is expected that each review would require 3-4 weeks of field work (interviews, examination of sub-projects), and that the review report would be completed within 2 weeks of completing the field work. Outputs: The principal output is an annual review report that documents the review methodology, summarizes the results, and provides practical recommendations. Distinct sections should address: a) ESMF performance and b) cumulative impacts. Annexes should provide the detailed results of the field work, and summarize the number of approved sub-projects by district and their characteristics according to the annual report format (see Appendix 5). Copies of the annual review report should be delivered to SADP Steering Committee, to each district/provincial office responsible for appraisal, approval and implementation of sub-projects, and to the World Bank. The Provincial Review Panel may also want to host national or district workshops to review and discuss the review findings and recommendations.
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APPENDIX 5 GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL REPORT
Name of the Project: Application Number: (SADP) 1. Name of District or Local Government: 2. Name and Position of Review Authority Completing the Annual Report: 3. Reporting Year: 4. Date of Report: 5. Community Sub-project (s): Please enter the numbers of sub-projects in the following table.
Types of Activities
Ap
pro
ved
th
is y
ea
r
Ap
plic
ati
on
in
clu
ded
a
n E
SM
F c
hec
klis
t
Fie
ld A
pp
rais
al
EM
P
PM
P
RA
P/A
RA
P
Sp
ec
ific
TA
Water Supply
Water point rehabilitation
Earth dam rehabilitation
Community reservoirs
Small dams
Water harvesting facility
Gravity water schemes
Roads and Energy
Tertiary/secondary roads
Tertiary/secondary road culverts/bridges
Footpaths
Agriculture and markets
Terracing
Agro-processing facilities
Post harvest handling facilities
Market places
Natural resources management
Anti-erosion interventions and soil fertility restoration
Demonstration/nutrition gardens
Stream and river bank protection
Wetland development
Soil Conservation Works
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6. Were there any unforeseen environmental or social problems associated with any sub-project approved and implemented this year? If so, please identify the sub-project (s) and summarize the problem (s) and what was or will be done to solve the problem (s). Use a summary table like the one below.
Sub-project Problem(s) Actions taken Actions to be taken
7. Have any other environmental or social analyses been carried out by other public or private agencies in your district/province? If so, please describe them briefly.
8. Have you noticed any particular problems with implementing the ESMF in the past year (e.g. administrative, communications, forms, capacity)? If so, please describe them briefly.
9. Training: Please summarize the training received in your district/province in the past year,
as well as key areas of further training you think is needed.
Group Training Received Training Needed
Review Authority
Approval Authority
Extension Teams
NGOs/Associations
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APPENDIX 6 SUMMARY OF WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARD POLICIES
• Environmental Assessment (OP 4.01). Outlines Bank policy and procedure for the environmental assessment of Bank lending operations. The Bank undertakes environmental screening of each proposed project to determine the appropriate extent and type of EA process. This environmental process will apply to all sub-projects to be funded by the proposed project. • Natural Habitats (OP 4.04). The conservation of natural habitats, like other measures that protect and enhance the environment, is essential for long-term sustainable development. The Bank does not support projects involving the significant conversion of natural habitats unless there are no feasible alternatives for the project and its siting, and comprehensive analysis demonstrates that overall benefits from the project substantially outweigh the environmental costs. If the environmental assessment indicates that a project would significantly convert or degrade natural habitats, the project includes mitigation measures acceptable to the Bank. Such mitigation measures include, as appropriate, minimizing habitat loss (e.g. strategic habitat retention and post-development restoration) and establishing and maintaining an ecologically similar protected area. The Bank accepts other forms of mitigation measures only when they are technically justified. Should the sub-project-specific EMPs indicate that natural habitats might be affected negatively by the proposed sub-project activities with suitable mitigation measures, such sub-projects will not be funded under this project • Pest Management (OP 4.09). The policy supports safe, affective, and environmentally sound pest management. It promotes the use of biological and environmental control methods. An assessment is made of the capacity of the country‘s regulatory framework and institutions to promote and support safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management. This policy was not triggered by the proposed project. • Involuntary Resettlement (OP 4.12). This policy covers direct economic and social impacts that both result from Bank-assisted investment projects, and are caused by (a) the involuntary taking of land resulting in (i) relocation or loss of shelter; (ii) loss of assets or access to assets, or (iii) loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not the affected persons must move to another location; or (b) the involuntary restriction of access to legally designated parks and protected areas resulting in adverse impacts on the livelihoods of the displaced persons. The project did not trigger this policy. • Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20). This directive provides guidance to ensure that indigenous peoples benefit from development projects, and to avoid or mitigate adverse effects of Bank-financed development projects on indigenous peoples. Measures to address issues pertaining to indigenous peoples must be based on the informed participation of the indigenous people themselves. Sub-projects that would have negative impacts on indigenous people will not be funded under the proposed project. • Forests (OP 4.36). This policy applies to the following types of Bank-financed investment projects: (a) projects that have or may have impacts on the health and quality of forests; (b) projects that affect the rights and welfare of people and their level of dependence upon or interaction with forests; and (c) projects that aim to bring about changes in the management, protection, or utilization of natural forests or plantations, whether they are publicly, privately, or communally owned. The Bank
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does not finance projects that, in its opinion, would involve significant conversion or degradation of critical forest areas or related critical habitats. If a project involves the significant conversion or degradation of natural forests or related natural habitats that the Bank determines are not critical, and the Bank determines that there are no feasible alternatives to the project and its siting, and comprehensive analysis demonstrates that overall benefits from the project substantially outweigh the environmental costs, the Bank may finance the project provided that it incorporates appropriate mitigation measures. Sub-projects with likelihood of having negative impacts on forests will not be funded under the project. • Cultural Property (OPN 11.03). The term ―cultural property‖ includes sites having archaeological (prehistoric), paleontological, historical, religious, and unique natural values. The Bank‘s general policy regarding cultural property is to assist in their preservation, and to seek to avoid their elimination. Specifically, the Bank (i) normally declines to finance projects that will significantly damage non-replicable cultural property, and will assist only those projects that are sited or designed so as to prevent such damage; and (ii) will assist in the protection and enhancement of cultural properties encountered in Bank-financed projects, rather than leaving that protection to chance. The management of cultural property of a country is the responsibility of the government. The government‘s attention should be drawn specifically to what is known about the cultural property aspects of the proposed project site and appropriate agencies, NGOs, or university departments should be consulted; if there are any questions concerning cultural property in the area, a brief reconnaissance survey should be undertaken in the field by a specialist. The proposed project will not fund sub-projects that will have negative impacts on cultural property. • Safety of Dams (OP 4.37). For the life of any dam, the owner is responsible for ensuring that appropriate measures are taken and sufficient resources provided for the safety to the dam, irrespective of its funding sources or construction status. The Bank distinguishes between small and large dams. Small dams are normally less than 15 m in height; this category includes, for example, farm ponds, local silt retention dams, and low embankment tanks. For small dams, generic dam safety measures designed by qualified engineers are usually adequate. This policy does not apply to the proposed project. • Projects on International Waterways (OP 7.50). The Bank recognizes that the cooperation and good will of riparians is essential for the efficient utilization and protection of international waterways and attaches great importance to riparians making appropriate agreements or arrangement for the entire waterway or any part thereof. Projects that trigger this policy include hydroelectric, irrigation, flood control, navigation, drainage, water and sewerage, industrial, and similar projects that involve the use or potential pollution of international waterways. The proposed project did not triggered this policy • Disputed Areas (OP/BP/GP 7.60). Project in disputed areas may occur in the Bank and its member countries as well as between the borrower and one or more neighbouring countries. Any dispute over an area in which a proposed project is located requires formal procedures at the earliest possible stage. The Bank attempts to acquire assurance that it may proceed with a project in a disputed area if the governments concerned agree that, pending the settlement of the dispute, the project proposed can go forward without prejudice to the claims of the country having a dispute. This policy is not expected to be triggered by sub-projects. This policy is unlikely to be triggered by sub-projects to be funded by this project.
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APPENDIX 7 SUMMARY OF IFAD ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARD POLICIES.
OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 1: BIODIVERSITY AND PROTECTED AREA
MANAGEMENT Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the full range and variety of the world‘s biota, and its living organisms. Biodiversity is usually considered at three levels: (i) generic, (ii) species, and (iii) ecosystem diversity. Conservation of biological diversity aims at maintaining global biological resources to meet the needs of humanity today while ensuring their availability for future generations – a fundamental criterion of sustainable development. Biodiversity should be identified at an early stage of project preparation to allow for optimum integration of conservation and development objectives. The following is a list of the most common potential issues for use in this identification process:
a. Ecosystems – does the proposed project drastically change the existing ecosystems or agro-ecosystems? What is the nature of the change (i.e. positive or negative)?
b. Biological specificity – what are the important biological features of the affected ecosystems?
c. Protected areas – does the proposed project directly or indirectly affect formally protected areas or zones of well-known ecological significance?
d. Project components with significant direct impacts – identify the project components that directly negatively and/or positively affect biodiversity (e.g. expansion of agricultural land into wildlands, change of water regime in wetlands, and development of irrigation in dry lands).
Project components with significant indirect impacts – identify the project components that indirectly affect biodiversity (e.g. migration of people to or from protected areas, promotion of different land use systems). OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 2: FERTILIZER Fertilizers provide plants with nutrients, e.g. nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, either individually or in combination as food production requires mainly water and arable land that steadily supplies nutrients and the organic substrate for plant growth. These vital resources can be organic (animal manure, compost and sewage) or inorganic (synthetic chemical compounds). Appropriate fertilizer use has obvious socio-economic benefits since it results in increased crop production, and improved food supply and health conditions. It has important positive impacts on the natural environment as well, as it enables production to be intensified on existing cropland, while reducing the need for agricultural expansion onto other lands having different resource values. The OS seeks to minimise the negative effects from fertiliser application, which include Water pollution, Soil fertility loss and Health effects
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OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 3: FISHERIES Fisheries projects can be divided in two groups: (i) capture fisheries (harvest of wild stock); and (ii) culture fisheries or fish farming (freshwater aquaculture, brackish water aquaculture and Mari culture). Capture fisheries include marine operations (offshore and near-shore) and inland operations (rivers and lakes). Fish farming produces more fish than is normally available from wild stock, by manipulating or managing the fish and food resources (by containment in ponds or specific productive areas, creating new or improved use of natural habitats). The OP serves to protect the environment from the effects of both capture and fish farming which include over exploitation and habitat destruction. OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 4: FOREST RESOURCES 1. Forest resources are used and managed for different – often competing – purposes, such as timber and fuel wood production, Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) collection, watershed management, shelter and food supply for indigenous people (forest dwellers), emergency shelter and food supply for surrounding farming communities or herders, and conservation of biological diversity. Natural stands of trees and shrubs play an important supportive role in savannah pastoralism and are used as a restorative measure for fertility improvement in shifting cultivation. Tree-based production systems do not require the continuous managing of the soil. The OP seeks to protect natural forests from destructive activities such as crop production & logging. It promotes management of natural forests by rural and indigenous communities, who can be provided livelihoods and adequate income generating activities through alternative livelihood activities such as livestock grazing, natural honey collection/production, collection of firewood, medicinal plants, wild fruits & nuts, controlled hunting, etc. OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 5: IRRIGATION This Op seeks to protect the environment from the adverse effects that can be inflicted by irrigation schemes. In irrigation, water is managed for agricultural production. Most systems are established to improve crop yields per unit of land. Irrigation systems include: (i) water storage; (ii) water conveyance; (iii) water delivery to plants; and (iv) disposal of drainage water. Irrigation water is conveyed and delivered to plants by gravity, sprinkler or drip irrigation. The setting up of these systems impacts on the environment in many ways. Facilities for drainage of excess water are not always provided in irrigation systems which may lead to water logging and soil salinisation. OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 6: RANGE RESOURCES Rangelands include grasslands, woodland savannahs, open forest (and in some cases cleared areas of closed forests), shrub lands, wastelands, abandoned agricultural areas, and deserts that support domestic ruminants and wild herbivores. The targets of these range areas vary from large-scale commercial ranching to mixed farming or traditional pastoral systems. Hence, depending on the scale of the operation, different measures will be adopted. Rangeland and pastoralist activities are two areas in which IFAD is very active. These areas support a large number of herders and livestock producers, however, open-access to these areas has resulted in grave environmental consequences. Over-grazing is one of the most notorious of
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these impacts (others include human settlement, roads, and harvesting fuel wood) leading to a loss of surface top-soil and losses in soil fertility. The OP seeks to promote sustainable rangeland management curbing all these negative impacts. In arid, semiarid and dry sub-humid lands, human activities such as fuel-wood harvesting, charcoal production and slash and burn crop cultivation (and natural phenomena such as droughts) have huge impacts on rangelands and accelerate desertification. OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 7: RURAL ROADS This operational statement addresses IFAD policy and procedures in projects that include a rural roads component. The directive applies to the planning and financing of projects that include a rural road component and to free-standing rural road projects. Rural roads are generally built to improve transport (including non-motorized transport) and access and provide better communication. Improved mobility for the rural poor enables them to access: (i) services (agriculture, education, health, finance); (ii) markets (inputs, agro-processing, wholesale, retail, export): (iii) income-generating opportunities; (iv) social, political and community activities; and (v) technology transfer. In IFAD projects rural roads may also be called ―farm-to-market roads‖ or ―farm-to-village tracks‖. Rural roads include roads constructed for watershed management, for reforestation, or other single purpose activities. In constructing these roads and lot of environmental impacts are inflicted and these need to be managed properly to minimise their effects. OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 8: WETLANDS Wetlands are ―areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters‖ (UN Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, or Ramsar Convention). Wetlands are ecosystems of particular economic, ecologic and socio-cultural importance. The resources of wetlands (land, water, and biological diversity) are often exploited by a range of users: croppers, grazers, fishermen, hunters, and gatherers and the wetlands perform an enormous variety of functions at global and local levels such as storage and recycling of nutrients; natural flood and erosion control; coastline protection from storms; groundwater recharge and discharge; water storage and treatment; maintenance of biological and genetic diversity; carbon sequestration and climatic stabilization. The OP provides for the proper management of wetlands. The priority when making choices about wetland management is to ensure that the ecosystem services of the wetland are maintained (and, where appropriate, restored). OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 9: PESTICIDES This OP promotes the safe and environmentally sound use and selection of pesticides in IFAD supported agricultural development. Since agricultural development for increased food production is one of IFAD‘s central tenets, and the use of pesticides may become necessary, the complex interaction among the resources must be carefully weighed for each environmental and social situation so
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they can be managed as an integrated system to promote productive and sustainable agriculture for socio-economic development. Exclusive use of pesticides for reducing pest-induced crop injury can result in undesirable soil and water contamination, human health risks, pest resistance, damage to non-target organisms, secondary pest problems, unacceptable toxic residues on agricultural products and unnecessary financial burdens. Hence the use of indigenous technologies and ―organic farming‖ which can eliminate or minimize the use of chemical pesticides should be given priority and promoted wherever possible. OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 10: RURAL FINANCE Rural finance includes the provision of a wide range of financial services to farming communities, including savings, deposits, money transfers, insurance, and credit. Diverse funding mechanisms such as supplier credit, contract farming, crop and investment loans all provide farmers with external sources of capital during the production cycle. Rural finance is also used by most farming families to support non-farm income generating activities such as food processing, buying and selling, micro-enterprise, and the migration of family members for seasonal employment in cities. And finally, finance also supports critical life cycle needs such as the education and marriage of children, medical emergencies, housing solutions, and the acquisition of assets for old age. All these have to be done with the environment in mind, so that they do not end up impacting on the environment. OPERATIONAL STATEMENT 11: MICRO AND SMALL ENTERPRISE (MSE)
DEVELOPMENT Micro and Small enterprise development consists of a series of support measures to ease constraints posed by existing MSE policies including, trading laws and regulations, capital and administrative requirements, credit services, legal status etc. Additionally, micro and small enterprise development concentrates on intervention points along the value chain. As such, micro and small enterprise development initiatives do not in and of themselves produce negative environmental impact. They can be used to lessen the impact of small enterprises on natural resources.
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APPENDIX 8 CONSULTED STAKEHOLDERS NAME ORGANIZATION/ DESIGNATION CONTACT
1.0
TEAM
TEAM
S. Mtetwa Consultant
Rethabile Nchee Agric Research Research Officer +26622312395 +26663019521
Makamohelo Ramaili DPPA-MAFS Planner +26662084448
Limakatso Nqosa DPPA-MAFS Planner +26658023152
2.0
PARTICIPATING MINISTRIES
Mantho Motselebane DPPA-MAFS Director- Planning and Policy Analysis
+26622326235
Khesa Maoala MAFS
Letuka Mohapi Dept of Field Services-MAFS
M. Manoza Dept of Crops-MAFS Irrigation Engineer
Selebalo Moeketsi Dept of Crops-MAFS Chief Engineer-MAFS
Moela Thuso Mofolo Agric. DFS District Agricultural Officer
Mainangoane Mosoeunyane
DAO - Berea District irrigation Officer
Mampai Mokone DAO - Berea District crop Officer
Molebe Kaeane DAO - Berea District crop Officer
Malefetsane Lepota DAO - Berea District extension Officer
Tseliso Kotelo World Vision Food Security Officer
Lefu Rammina DAO - Berea Area Technical Officer
TEYATEYANENG RESOURCE CENTRE – EXTENSION STAFF
Msipone Khatseane Agric - Berea A.A.
Matumisang Mosotho Agric - Berea A.A.
Neo Mahlaha Agric - Berea A.A.
Joalane ‗Mekeleli Agric - Berea A.A.
Moru Mphahama Agric - Berea ATO Livestock
Seutloali Monaheng Agric - Berea ATO Machinery
‗Makomane Mokorosi Agric - Berea A.E.O
TEYATEYANENG RESOURCE CENTRE – FARMERS
Matsepang Noko Lithabaneng Village Farmer
Matumelo Lebusa Lithabaneng Village Farmer
Mamentoeli Molemane Hamphele Mosola Village Farmer
Tseliso Setenane Ha – Ramachine Village Farmer
Letsosa Ts‘olo Ha – Ramonaheng Village Farmer
Mampolokeng Mosola Ha – Mphele Mosola Village Farmer
Mohapi Mokhosi Lithabaneng Village Farmer
Pheea Kutu Ha – Mphele Village Farmer
Mamonaheng Lebina Ha – Mphele Village Farmer
Akhosi A. Ts‘iame Lithabaneng Hakepi Village Farmer
Letsema Sonopo Ha – Mphele Village Farmer
Ramputi Mokoena Ha – Mphele Village Farmer
NTATE MOTA DAIRY
‗Mota
PAULTRY
Peter Lempe
MOHLAETOA PIGGERY
Nkoale
CEREAL PRODUCTION FARM
Matlalane Letlala
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NAME ORGANIZATION/ DESIGNATION CONTACT
SHEEP RAISING FARM
Motsamai Nyareli
RED CROSS
Ma-abrahams Abrahams
Malebohang Lesole
Maselemene Haba-Haba
7.0
MAFETENG
DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE
Selemo Mangobe MAFS.
Itumeleng Pule MAFS.
Mapulotsane Topo MAFS.
Mookho Ntiea MAFS.
Seele Lethoko MAFS.
Masebueng Lenotholi MAFS.
Lefu Sehloho MAFS.
M. Malora MAFS.
SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION SCHEME
Mamakhaola Makhaola
PAULTRY PROJECT
Makamohelo Raliile farmer
7.0
WRAP – MEETING WITH DIRECTORS
Mohale Sekoto MAFS Permanent Secretary
Mpaki Makara MAFS Field Services
Masola Khesa MAFS - DPPA
Malesa Mohloholi DAR
M. Manozal Crops Services
Dr. Tabitha Seeiso DLS
Dr. Lehloenye LAC
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APPENDIX 9 CONTRACT PROVISIONS: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
1. General Provisions and Precautions The contractor shall take all necessary measures and precautions and otherwise ensure that the execution of the works and all associated operations on the work sites or offsite are carried out in conformity with statutory and regulatory environmental requirement of Lesotho. The contractor shall take all measures and precautions to avoid any nuisance or disturbance arising from the execution of the work. This shall, wherever possible, be achieved by suppression of the nuisance at source rather than abatement of the nuisance once generated. In the event of any soil or debris or silt from the work sites being deposited on any adjacent land, the contractor shall immediately remove all such spoil debris or silt and restore the affected area to its original state to the satisfaction of the responsible authorities. 2. Water Quality The following conditions shall apply to avoid adverse impacts to water quality:
• The contractor shall prevent any interference with supply to, or abstraction from, water resources and the pollution of water resources (including underground percolating water) as a result of the execution of the works.
• The contractor shall not discharge or deposit any matter arising from the execution of the work into any waters except with the permission of the regulatory authorities concerned.
• The contractor shall at all times ensure that all existing stream courses and drains within and adjacent to the site are kept safe and free from any debris and any material arising from the works.
• The contractor shall protect all water courses, waterways, ditches, canals, drains, lakes and the like from pollution, silting, flooding or erosion as a result of the execution of the works.
3. Air Quality The following conditions shall apply to avoid adverse impacts to air quality:
• Open burning will be prohibited. • Blasting (If any) will be carried out using small charges, and dust – generating
items will be conveyed under cover. • In periods of high wind, dust- generating operations shall not be permitted
within 200 meters of residential areas having regard to the prevailing direction of the wind.
• Water sprays shall be used during the delivery and handling of materials when dust is likely to be created and to dampen stored materials during dry and windy weather.
• Stockpiles of materials shall be sited in sheltered areas or within hoarding, away from sensitive areas. Stockpiles of friable material shall be covered with tarpaulins. With application of sprayed water during dry and windy weather. Stockpiles of material or debris shall be dampened prior to their movement whenever warranted.
• Vehicle with an open load – carrying area used for transporting potentially dust- producing material shall have proper fitting side and tailboards. Materials having the potential to produce dust shall not be loaded to a level higher than the side and tail boards, and shall be covered with a clean tarpaulin in good condition.
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The tarpaulin shall be properly secured and extend over the edges of the side and tailboards.
• In periods of adverse weather adverse impacts to adjacent residents or site employees during construction will be mitigated by either discontinuing until favourable conditions are restored, or, if warranted, sites may be watered to prevent dust generation, particularly at crushing plants.
• Machinery and equipment will be fitted with pollution control devices, which will be checked at regular intervals to ensure that they are in working order. Best available pollution control technologies will be used
4. Protection of soils Borrow pits. The following conditions shall apply to borrow pits: • Borrow areas will be located outside the agricultural Facility premises. • Pit restoration will follow the completion of works in full compliance with all
applicable standards and specification. • The excavation and restoration of the borrow areas and their surroundings, in
an environmentally sound manner to the satisfaction of the contractor is required before final acceptance and payment under the terms of contracts.
• Borrow pit areas will be graded to ensure drainage and visual uniformity, or to create permanent tanks\dams.
• Topsoil from borrow pit areas will be saved and reused in re-vegetating the pits to the satisfaction of the contractor.
Quarries. To ensure adequate mitigation of potential adverse impacts, only licensed quarrying operations are to be used for material sources. If licensed quarries are not available the contractors may be made responsible for setting up their dedicated crusher plants at approved quarry sites. Erosion. To avoid potential adverse impacts due to erosion, the contractor shall:
• Line spillage ways with riprap to prevent undercutting. • Provide mitigation plantings and fencing where necessary to stabilize the soil
and reduce erosion. • Upgrade and adequately size, line and contour storm drainage to minimize
erosion potential. • To avoid erosion and gullying of road formations, the contractor should reduce
his earthworks during the peak of rainy seasons, use gabions and miter drains and avoid angle termination at the intersections of cuts and fills.
As noted in elsewhere in these specifications, ditches shall be designed for the toe of slopes in cut sections with gutters or drainage chutes being employed to carry water down slopes to prevent erosion. Interceptor ditches shall be designed and constructed near the top of the back of slopes or on benches in the cut slopes as well as when there is a slope on adjacent ground toward the fill. When the roadway has a steep longitudinal slope, a drain is to be designed and constructed at the down – slope end of the cut to intercept longitudinal flow and carry it safely away from the fill slopes. 5. Avoidance of Social Impacts To avoid adverse social impacts, the Contractor shall:
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• Coordinate all construction activities with neighbouring land uses and respect the rights of local landowner. If located outside the Agricultural Facility Premises, written agreements with local landowners for temporary use of the property will be required and sites must be restored to a level acceptable to the owner within a predetermined time period.
• Maintain and cleanup campsites. • Attend to health and safety of their worker by providing basic emergency health
facilities for workers and incorporate programs aimed at the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases as a part of all construction employee orientation programs.
• Obtain approval of all diversions and accommodation of traffic. A stipulated by section- which states that ―the Contractor shall provide the contractor with a written traffic control plan which is to include when and where flagmen shall be employed and when and where traffic cones or other devices such as barricades and \or lights will be used. Where ….traffic diversions area planned for ….additional areas (will) be determined and the diversions clearly defined for travel.‖
• Construct and maintain by – passes around bridges to be reconstructed until such time as the bridge is open for traffic. By- passes will be removed and the affected areas re-graded so as to blend in with the existing contour when the bridge is opened.
6. Noise To avoid adverse impacts due to noise, the contractor shall:
• Consider noise as an environmental constraint in his planning and execution of the works.
• Use equipment conforming to international standards and directives on noise and vibration emissions.
• Take all necessary measures to ensure that the operation of all mechanical equipment and construction processes on and off the site shall not cause any unnecessary or excessive noise, taking into account applicable environmental requirements.
• Maintain exhaust systems in good working order; properly design engine enclosures, use intake silencers where appropriate and regularly regular maintain noise –generating equipment.
• Use all necessary measures and shall maintain plant and silencing equipment in good condition so as to minimize the noise emission during construction works.
• Schedule operations to coincide with periods when people would least likely be affected and by the contractor having due regard for possible noise disturbance to the local residents or other activities. Construction activities will be strictly prohibited between 10PM and 6PM.
• Incorporate noise considerations in public notification of construction operations and specify methods to handle complaints. Disposal sites and routes will be coordinated with local officials to avoid adverse traffic noise.
7. Protection of Historic and Cultural resources
To avoid potential adverse impacts to historic and cultural resources, the contractor shall; in the event of unanticipated discoveries of cultural or historic artefacts (movable or Immovable) in the course of the work, the subcontractor
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shall take all necessary measures to protect the findings and shall notify the contractor and provincial- level representatives of the Archaeological committee under the ministry of Information and culture. If continuation of the work would endanger the finding, project work shall be suspended until a solution for preservation of the artefacts is agreed upon.
8. Protection of Utilities To avoid potential adverse impacts to utilities, the Contractor shall:
Ascertain and take into account in his method of working the presence of utility services on and in the vicinity of the site.
Take into account in his programme the periods required to locate, access, protect, support and divert such services, including any periods of notice required to effect such work in consultation with authorities operating such services.
Assume all responsibility to locate or to confirm the details and location of all utility services on or in the vicinity of the site.
Exercise the greatest care at all times to avoid damage to or interference with services.
Assume responsibility for any damage and \or interference caused by him or his agents, directly or indirectly, arising from actions taken or a failure to take action, and for full restoration of the damage.
9. Waste Disposal and Hazardous Materials Water and waste products shall be collected, removed via suitable and properly designed temporary drainage systems and disposed of at a location and in a manner that will cause neither pollution nor nuisance. Insofar as possible, all temporary construction facilities will be located at least 50 metres away from a water course, stream or canal. The contractor shall not dispose of used pavement material on the road or highway side, nor in water courses or wetlands. Such material shall be utilized or disposed of in places approved by the SEA. 10. Environmental Monitoring Monitoring or direct impact will be carried out by the SEA and will include, but not restricted to, the following concerns:
• Erosion along highway segments and borrow sites during and after construction;
• Silting and increased sediment loads to streams crossed by the highway. • Verification that proper waste disposal at construction sites and road camps is
done; • Prevention of damage to undiscovered significant archaeological or historical
findings; • Assurance that construction sites and road camps are cleaned after
construction and • Inspection of vegetation covers (removal and re- growth) on the basis of field
examinations.
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APPENDIX 10 PEST MANAGEMENT
1. EXISTING PEST MANAGEMENT APPROACHES AND PRACTICES 1.1 Common Pests in the Farms The crops that are commonly grown by the farmers include wheat, beans, rice, maize, sorghum cabbage, tomatoes, onions, gem squash, carrots, peas, water melons, and other different kinds of vegetables. These crops attract a variety of pests that need to be managed in order to avoid damage, leading to low crop yields. Common pests that attack these crops include army worms, green grasshoppers, armoured cricket, rice blast, stem borers and maize ear worms. A list of the crops commonly grown by the farmers and the pests that usually attack them is given in table 1 below, which also gives the pesticides that are used and recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and approved by WHO. Table 1 Common Pest And Diseases
No. CROPS PROBLEMS/PESTS CONTROL MEASURES/PESTICIDE
1. Rice Army worm Sumicidin, Sevin, Dursban
Green Grass hopper Sumicidin, Sevin, Dursban
Leaf hopper Sumicidin, Iprodion
Armoured Cricket Sumicidin, Pyrethroids
Rice Blast Resistant varieties
2. Maize Army worm Sumicidin, Sevin, Dursban
Elegant Grasshopper Sevin
Stem Borer Bulidock, sulftrex
Maize ear worm Sumicidin, Pyrethroids
Maize Streak Virus Control vector( use Gaucho, Furadan)
Gray Leaf Spot Resistant varieties, Crop Rotation
Downy Mildew Ridomil, Metalaxyl, Crop Rotation
3. Root Crops Elegant Grass hoppers Sevin
Sweet Potato Weevil
4. Cabbage Club root Flusamide, Solarisation, Liming, Rotation
1.2 Existing Pest Management Approaches and their Limitations Farmers carryout routine management of pests in their fields, mainly through the use of pesticides. Farm and crop management techniques are also used to
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control pests but there are limitations and problems that the farmers face in using these methods. Below are the existing and potential pest management efforts and their limitations.
• Growing a Healthy Crop by Starting with Healthy Seed A crop that germinates from seed that is healthy is likely to be less vulnerable to pest damage. Also, a crop grown from seed that has been bred from resistant strains is less likely to be damaged during plant growth and crop storage.
Most of the farmers do not have ready access to good seed at the time of planting and as a result they use seed from the previous harvest. Commercial seed is usually too expensive for the farmers who mostly rely on seed and farm input donations.
• Good Farming Practices to Ensure Vigorous Crops
A plant growing in good farm conditions is generally less vulnerable to pest damage than a plant growing under stressed conditions. Good farming practices include timely and recommended soil preparation and planting; and recommended water and nutrient application.
Limitations and constraints for the farmers include lack of appropriate skills/knowledge on water and nutrient management, lack of farm inputs and resources to adequately and timely prepare their farms.
• Making the Crop Unattractive or Unavailable to Pests This strategy includes adjusting planting times to ensure that crop development does not coincide with pest appearance. The success of using this strategy requires good knowledge of the seasons and the ability to forecast the right time for planting.
The farmers need the appropriate training and information through the extension workers to ensure that they plant at the right times.
• Crop Diversity or Rotation, Early Planting Crop rotations or multiple cropping removes the chance for the re-appearance of persistent pests. This strategy depends on the availability of seed to the farmers who, most of the times, are in short supply of adequate and good quality seed.
It was noted during the audit that crop diversification and rotation was practiced to a limited extent. Some of the crops were difficult to sell due to lack of markets. The farmers mentioned lack of markets as one of the reasons why they preferred to stick to the crops that had ready markets. This justifies the need to find mechanisms for linking the farmers to market outlets. Crop rotation is also difficult due to limitations on availability of land.
• General Hygiene
Good sanitation of the farms and surroundings, including crop storage structures and buildings ensures clean and healthy crops as well as seed for planting.
The farmers need to be well trained in crop and seed management to avoid damage. They need to appreciate the importance of preparing their farms in time and the benefits of weeding at the appropriate times.
• Biological/ecological Control This is achieved by conserving and enhancing natural biological/ecological controls
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already in the field and in selected situations, through natural enemies of pests. This may entail the use of botanical pesticides such as neem and tephrosia. Woody white flies are controlled by using caris knoack and for cabbage; diamond back moth is controlled by using diajedima species. This method requires research and thorough evaluation before new species are introduced to avoid disrupting existing ecosystems.
The farmers need to be trained in available and appropriate biological controls that can be used to prevent emergence of pests. Farmers are not fully aware of the potential for this control method which, by creating an enabling environment could tame natural biological systems to discourage pests.
• Physical Control Physical controls, such as flooding to eliminate snails are practiced where there is good supply of irrigation water. Other physical controls include hand picking of pests, uprooting infested crop, using fire to remove pests on crop residues and frequent weeding.
These methods are commonly used by the farmers. However, there is need to enhance their application to ensure that they are used in a systematic and coordinated manner.
• Use of Pesticides Pesticides may be used with care to ensure their toxicity to non-target organisms is as low as possible. The effectiveness of pesticides should be as selective as possible. Certain pesticides of natural origin are compatible with integrated pest management (IPM), causing minimum disturbance to natural biological and ecological pest control mechanisms.
It was noted that farmers are using different types of pesticides for the same crops and that the type of pesticide used is determined by affordability and availability. Use of pesticides is a commonly preferred method of pest control since it is perceived as a rapid method that does not require much effort. The farmers therefore need to be guided and trained to understand the limitations and environmental consequences of using pesticides. They should be knowledgeable of pesticides that are compatible with IPM and that do not degrade the natural biological and ecological pest control systems. The farmers need to be equipped with information on pesticide application quantities and methods; prevention of chemical poisoning/accidents and effects of high pesticides residues in crops. Enforcement of the act that deals Pesticides is of primary importance to control importation and use of pesticides.
1.3 Extent to which the Existing Pest Management Approaches are Consistent with IPM
Pest management approaches and practices that are consistent with IPM include the physical, biological and chemical pest control techniques Some of the pesticides management approaches and practices that are not consistent with IPM include overuse of and over-dependence on chemical control methods; and limited use of physical and biological methods due to lack of adequate land, technical knowledge and supervision. The use of unlisted or unapproved pesticides and stockpiling of obsolete pesticides are not consistent with IPM. These inconsistent approaches and practices emanate from the following:
Limited land availability to permit crop rotation and use of some biological methods
Lack of training and limited knowledge of IPM practices and benefits by the farmers
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Inadequate technical supervision of the farmers by the extension workers due to shortage of trained personnel to support IPM
Inadequate labelling of pesticides containers. Inappropriate packaging leading to wastage of pesticides
Poor information availability and information management on pesticides and their uses
Illegal cross-border importation of pesticides
Lack of systems and controls to enforce IPM approaches and practices across the board. This leads to isolated and independent use of pest control methods
Deliberate breach of regulations by the farmers due to limited understanding of the benefits of IPM.
1.4 Purchase and use of Pesticides by the farmers Lesotho does not manufacture pesticides. All the pesticides that are used in the country are imported. There are a number of chemical companies that import these pesticides into the country. These companies, in turn supply pesticides to various users for crops and livestock use.
Although the amount of pesticides used in Lesotho is generally low compared with the other countries, there has been considerable abuse of pesticide importation and use. In some cases, the drive for pesticide importation has been the perceived financial gain by the traders rather than the demand for application to various crops. This has resulted in a build-up of pesticides some of which have been rendered obsolete.
Farmers purchase pesticides on their own depending on their specif ic needs. The farmers usually seek advice from the extension workers on what types and quantities of pesticides to purchase. The farmers buy pesticides from different suppliers, including illegal suppliers, as dictated by cost.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, through the extension workers, provides advisory services (extension) to farmers in the use of agricultural chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides); with regard to efficient use to maximize yields. However, the capacity of the extension workers is inadequate. The Ministry does not purchase any pesticides for or on behalf of the farmers although it was noted that some farmers have benefited from pesticide donations in the past. The Ministry is only responsible for purchase of pesticides for migratory pests such as army worms, locusts and armoured cricket, to respond to national emergencies and needs. In collaboration with other stakeholders, the ministry conducts sprays for these migratory pests. 1.5 Pesticide Policy and Regulation
Lesotho follows the WHO guidelines for pesticides classification into categories as follows:
Extremely Hazardous (Category I where LD50 is less than 1)
Moderately Hazardous (Categories II & III where LD50 is more than 1)
Less Hazardous (Category IV &V where LD50 is more than 100)
The pesticides Act (2000) provides for the control and management of the import, export, manufacture, distribution, storage, disposal and use of pesticides. Among other things, the Act provides for the following:
Prohibits the manufacture, export, distribution, storage and selling of pesticides by any person that does not have a license issued by the MAFS.
Requires all premises that store pesticides for sale to be licensed by MAFS.
Prohibits the distribution of pesticides packed in containers that are not safe for storage, handling or use to prevent harm to human and animal health or the
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environment.
Prohibits the use of pesticide containers for any purpose, contrary to the directions given by MAFS.
Prohibits the sale or holding of pesticides in containers that are not labeled as required by MAFS.
Prohibits the sale or distribution of feed, or food for human consumption, if a pesticide has been applied to it in contravention of the Act.
Empowers the Minister responsible for Health or Environment to regulate certain pesticides in food or by-products; to prohibit or restrict the use of certain pesticides at any period in the growth of food crops and to establish standards of maximum residue limits of pesticides in food, feeds and food by products.
Assigns the duty of care, not to sell food and animal feeds that may contain excessive levels of pesticides, to any person that sells such produce or products.
Prohibits any person to dispose any pesticide or pesticide container or packaging in a manner that is hazardous to human, animal health or the environment, contrary to any written law.
2 PROPOSED PEST MANAGEMENT 2.1 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
From the existing pest management approaches and the pesticides Act and regulations given above, it is apparent that there are distinct shortfalls and inadequacies that need to be addressed in order to adopt and implement an IPM and to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Pesticides Act. The farmers therefore, must be knowledgeable of IPM and must have a pesticide management plan that aims at protect the environment, in conformity with the provisions of the Pesticides Act.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a comprehensive approach to solving pest problems. IPM shifts the focus from controlling a pest now; to making the best management decisions for the long-term; and builds a comprehensive response to pest problems. The goal is to identify and implement coordinated strategies that work together in an integrated manner to provide optimum results; with the view to achieving long-term positive environmental and social benefits. The concept of integration works on multiple levels in that remedial strategies for individual pests are integrated with each other to ensure compatibility with the need to manage other pests. The pest management strategies must be consistent with the objectives to protect the environment and to address social concerns.
The IPM approach arises as a response to negate over-reliance on pesticides and short-term solutions that do not account for all of the long-term costs and externalities. IPM acknowledges that pesticides are still valuable, but stresses that chemical control is but one of the many tactics considered in an IPM approach. Pesticide use in IPM is limited to situations where there is an identified need and lack of suitable alternatives. This contrasts with a preventive chemical approach where pesticides are used on a prescribed basis without determining the need or making full use of alternative measures.
2.2 Basic Requirements of IPM
The basic requirements for implementing IPM includes understanding the biology and economics of the pest and the system in which the pest exists, monitoring the pests and natural controls and establishing their economic or aesthetic injury thresholds. IPM can be achieved by
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selecting an appropriate strategy of cultural, mechanical, biological, and/or chemical prevention or control techniques that are briefly described below:
• Cultural practices These include habitat modification and adapting operating procedures so that pest damage is reduced and natural control is enhanced. It involves sanitation or cleaning of sources of pest infestation, choosing plant varieties that are resistant to pest injury, adjusting planting time, fertilization, tillage, and harvesting operations to have the most beneficial effect for the pest management situation. • Biological controls These are predators, parasites, and diseases that attack pests. Measures should be taken to conserve naturally occurring populations of these biological controls. In some situations where naturally occurring biological controls are not effective, they can be introduced from outside sources. • Chemical control This involves selecting a pesticide with the lowest toxicity to humans and non-target organisms (including biological controls) and using it in such a way as to prevent or minimize undesirable environmental effects. The lowest effective amount of pesticide is applied, using appropriate and carefully calibrated equipment. In many cases, use of pesticides cannot be entirely eliminated. However, use of pesticides must be controlled so as to reduce or eliminate social and environmental impacts. A comprehensive IPM should support a pesticide management plan that is designed to ensure that pesticides are procured, handled, stored, applied and disposed in such a manner that protects life and the environment. The plan should consider the entire life cycle of the pesticides. Hence the farmers must observe the following:
o All appropriate pesticides must be purchased from registered pesticides dealers in right quantities and specifications.
o Pesticides for must be purchased strictly according to the requirements to avoid over-stocking.
o Movement or transportation of pesticides from suppliers must conform to MAFS‘, and/or FAO guidelines. Pesticides must not be mixed up with other items, particularly food items. They should be in well confined containers.
o Pesticides shall be stored in dedicated and centralized warehouses or storage facilities, separately from agricultural produce and other items. All pesticides must always be under lock and key and under the custody of a very responsible person. Storage of pesticides in farmers' houses must be prohibited. Warehouses must be protected from sources of fire. Access to the warehouses must be restricted to responsible and authorized persons.
o All pesticide mixing containers and spraying equipment must be washed and cleaned in a safeguarded central point. All containers must be disposed of in line with the requirements of the Pesticides Act and the Environmental Management Act.
IPM initiatives have the potential to improve the management of pests on the farms and in food handling facilities to improve yields and to prevent damage to crops and therefore should be supported and strengthened through extension services and targeted training activities to ensure maximum benefits.
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3 ADDRESSING SHORT COMMINGS AND CONSTRAINTS TO ADOPTING IPM 3.1 Training and Sensitization in Pest Management Farmers and all those responsible for the farm operations must undergo comprehensive training in pest management, by the Ministry of agriculture and food Security. The farmers must have first hand knowledge of the pests, pesticides to be used on their farms and IPM. The proposed training requirements and the target groups are detailed in Table 2.
Sensitization campaigns must be carried out at least annually to ensure that the farmers are reminded of IPM practices. These campaigns could benefit from the normal agricultural sensitization programmes conducted by the ministry and other stakeholders through use of brochures, plays and demonstrations as well as electronic media and broadcasting. 3.2 Availability of Farm Inputs and Information The farmers must be assisted to acquire the necessary farm inputs in time for planting at the appropriate time. They must have access to the necessary information for facilitating implementation of IPM. Such information includes the correct planting times, crop management practices, water management; and pesticides use and management. Information dissemination may be conducted through the print media (brochures, etc) and through demonstrations, radio and television plays. 9.3.3 Research into IPM Methods Research activities must be targeted at initiatives for promoting IPM. Such initiatives are to include identification and testing of botanical, biological, physical as well as chemical methods for the control of pests. The results of these research initiatives must be communicated to the farmers as appropriate. 9.3.4 Monitoring and Evaluation of IPM All the activities of integrated pest management and pesticide management must be monitored by the MAFS and Environmental Officers at district level in collaboration with other departments. The effectiveness of the plan must be evaluated annually. Comprehensive details for pesticide management and monitoring are given in the Integrated Pest Management and Monitoring Plan (Section 4).
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4 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN Table 2 Integrated pest management and monitoring plan Item No
2.2.3 Occupational Health Exposure to pesticides -Provide protective clothing and ensure it is used. -Train farmers in proper pesticides handling. -Routine medical examination
Agro-dealers Ministry of Agriculture
labour regulations, regulations
-Min. of labour. - -DA
Annually
2.3 Issues/concerns during pesticide application
2.3.1 Pesticide misuse, over / under use
lack of appropriate knowledge -Training and awareness campaigns Ministry of Agriculture Pesticide manufacturers regulations
-, -DEO
Annually
2.3.2 Intentional poisoning
Frustration, Social pressures -Ensure responsible, mentally sound and mature persons are given charge and control of pesticides. -Restrict accessibility to pesticides. -Spot checking
Agro-dealers Pesticides Act - -Min of labour -DA
Annually
2.3.3 Accidental poisoning
lack of knowledge of pesticide potency and negligence
Training Ministry of Agriculture Pesticides Act - -DEO
-Ministry of Agriculture -Manufacturer's recommendations. -Equipment maintenance policy
- -SADP Secretariat -DA
Annually
-Improper cleaning of equipment.
-Clean equipment and dispose equipment as recommended by
Ministry of Agriculture -Manufacturer's recommendations. - -SADP
Annually
-Improper disposal of cleaning water and old equipment
manufacturer. -Use bio-beds and draining dams to dispose cleaning and drainage waters -Integrated Pesticide Management
- regulations. Water resources regulations
Secretariat -DA
Multi-purpose use of equipment or pesticides
Control use of equipment and pesticides. -Thorough cleaning of equipment -Training -Integrated Pesticide Management
Ministry of Agriculture Pesticides Act - -SADP Secretariat -DA
Annually
2.4. Issues / Concerns during disposal of pesticides containers and equipment
2.4.1 Water and Environmental pollution
-Cleaning of equipment, -Disposal of remains of pesticides -Disposal of containers and equipment
-Use of bio-beds, draining channels and draining dams. -Use chemical remains to re- spray. -Clean equipment in one place. -Use plants such as water lilies to absorb waste pesticides. -Take stock of pesticide containers -Integrated Pesticide Management
--Ministry of Agriculture -Department of Environmental -Water resources Board
-Pesticides and equipment - manufacturer's recommendations. -Water pollution standards.
-Integrated Pest Management -Adherence to specifications on control of residues -Sensitize farmers not to harvest produce immediately after spraying -Information management -Develop manuals for use at grassroots level
-Ministry of Agriculture -Environmental standards -Wastewater standards
-Department of Environment -Water Resources Board - Secretariat
Annually
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5 INSTITUTIONAL AND HUMAN RESOURCE CAPACITY
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is the main responsible institution for the project activities. The Ministry has the relevant structures to implement the proposed pest management activities in through its departments of Crops and Research that both have Plant Protection Sections. However, there is need to review the staff availability and capacity to conduct the relevant training and extension activities. Particular attention should be given to the training of the extension workers who will, in turn impart the knowledge to the farmers
The proposed IPM activities will require the input of the Natural Environment Secretariat particularly in the areas of environmental protection through the requirements of the Environment Act of 2001. The Department has established Environmental Units in all line Ministries to enhance its presence there. However, the concept of IPM is quite new to most of the Environmental Units Officers. There is need therefore to train theses officers to enable them to appreciate their role in IPM
The current emphasis on pesticide use is not in line with the requirements of IPM. MAFS has a very important role to play in control of pesticides importation, registration and application through the enforcement of the act that deals with Pesticides. However, the MAFS does not have adequate personnel to implement these activities of IPM.
Pesticide management poses problems of occupational health and safety of the workers. The Ministry responsible for Labour is responsible for ensuring the environmental safety of the workers through the act that deals Occupational Safety and Health. In this respect, they will need to be consulted to provide appropriate guidance on prevention of harmful effects of pesticides to the workers.
MAFS also has a role to play in the testing and control of residual pesticides in food items. There will be need for MAFS to take samples of food items and have them analysed for residual pesticides. This could be implemented as part of their normal routine act ivities.
Non-Governmental Organizations have programmes for assisting the farmers by way of providing farm inputs as well as pesticides. There is need for close collaboration with these institutions to ensure coordinated efforts in IPM and to ensure that correct types of pesticides are imported and distributed to the farmers.
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APPENDIX 11 TYPICAL SUB-PROJECT ESMPs The following groups of agricultural activities have been considered:
Livestock and Rangeland Management
Weirs and Resevoirs
Irrigation and Drainage
Crop Production
Agro-industry (Processing Agricultural products) 1. Livestock and Rangeland Management.
Improved Livestock activities. o Chicken raising. o Piggery. o Sheep raising. o Cattle raising.
Wool and mohair production.
No.
POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS
MITIGATING MEASURE
1. Degradation of vegetation resources due to overgrazing.
Limitation of animal numbers.
Control of Length of grazing time on particular areas
Mixing of livestock species to maximize use of vegetation resource.
Reseeding and fodder production.
Cut-and –carry.
Strategic placement of water points and salt.
2. Increased soil erosion due to clearing of vegetation and trampling.
Increased siltation of surface waters.
Restriction of livestock access to unstable areas (e.g., steep Slopes).
Soil erosion control measures (e.g., reforestation, reseeding of grasses, land preparation, terracing).
3. Deterioration of soil fertility and physical characteristics through: o removal of vegetation o increased erosion o soil compaction
Same as 1 and 2.
4. Increased rapid runoff due to vegetation clearing and soil compaction (Decreased infiltration capacity
Water conservation measures and water spreading.
.Same as 1 and 2.
5. Degradation of vegetation and soil around water points.
Over tapping of groundwater.
Lowering of water table and degradation of vegetation Locally by drilling and use of boreholes.
Development of many small capacity water sources.
Strategic placement of water points.
Control of use of water points (animal numbers and time of year)
Closure of permanent water sources when temporary pools and Streams are available.
Limitation of well capacity by choice of technologies (e.g., hand-Pumps or buckets instead of motor pumps).
6. Displacement or reduction of wildlife population by reduction of habitat.
Disruption of migratory routes.
Competition for food and water resources.
introduction of diseases.
Impacts of burning.
Increased poaching and killing of wildlife considered as pests or predators to livestock.
Planning and implementation of range management strategies (choice of species, Livestock numbers, grazing areas) that minimize negative impacts on wildlife.
Establishment of compensatory wildlife refugees.
Investigation of management of wildlife ranching which will help protect wildlife Resources.
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7. Pollution, environmental disruption and health hazards from Diseases and pest control measures
Choice of chemical that is species-specific, short residence time (active period), and has low impact on other biologic resources.
Protective measures for field workers.
Spraying methods and timing to minimize potential of water pollution.
Selection of disease-resistant livestock breed.
8. Reduction of genetic variability due to selective breeding
Conservation of genetic diversity in-site (protection of wild relatives in natural Habit, maintaining variability within populations by breeding) and ex-situ (e.g., preservation of genetic material in `banks`).
9. Negative effects of uncontrolled burning for brush control on soil and vegetation (deterioration of soil fertility and soil structure, altered wildlife habitat, destruction of vegetation)
Implementation of well-planned and controlled burning programs.
10. Conversion of most tropical lowland forests for livestock production resulting in long-term environmental degradation and unsustainable production.
Avoidance of clearing such forests for livestock production.
11. Occupational Health Safety risks
The movement of trucks to and from the site, the operation of various equipment and machinery and the actual agricultural activities will expose the workers to work-related accidents and injuries.
Pollutants such as dust and noise could also have negative implications for the health of workers.
All safety precautions must be enforced.
Provide PPE to all workers.
institute dust and noise suppression measures.
12. Social misdemeanour by construction workers
Impacts associated with the contractor‘s camp include:
disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
theft, alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases (especially HIV/AIDS).
As a contractual obligation, contractors should be required to have an HIV/AIDS policy and a framework (responsible staff, action plan, etc) to implement it during project execution.
Contractor to curb thefts and misbehaviour through a code of conduct.
Contractor to manage any of its waste properly.
2. Weirs and Reservoirs
Establishing/maintaining Small Storage Reservoirs (tanks, small dams/weirs).
Development of Small Scale Farmer Driven Rainwater Harvesting.
No.
POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS
MITIGATING MEASURE
1. Soil erosion Proper design and layout of structurs avoiding too steep a gradient.
Land leveling.
Design of terraces on hillside minimizing surface erosion hazard.
2. Negative environmental effects of construction:
air and water pollution from construction and waste disposal
soil erosion
destruction of vegetation, sanitary and health problems from construction camps
Measures to minimize impacts: o air and water pollution control o careful location of camps, buildings,
borrow pits, quarries, spoil and disposal sites
o precautions to minimize erosion o land reclamation
3. Dislocation of people living in inundation zone. Relocation of people to suitable area, provision
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of compensation in kind for resources lost,
provision of adequate health services, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.
4. Loss of land (agricultural, forest, range, wetlands) by inundation to form reservoir.
Siting of dam to decrease losses; decrease size of dam and reservoir; protect equal areas in region to offset losses.
5. Loss of historic, cultural or aesthetic features by inundation.
Siting of dam or decrease of reservoir size to avoid loss; salvage or protection of cultural properties.
6. Loss of wildlands and wildlife habitat. Siting of dam or decrease of reservoir size to avoid/minimize loss; establishment of compensatory parks or reserved areas; animal rescue and relocation.
7. Proliferation of aquatic weeds in reservoir and downstream impairing dam discharge, irrigation systems, navigation and fisheries and increasing water loss through transpiration.
Clearance of woody vegetation from inundation zone prior to flooding (nutrient removal); provide weed control measures; harvest of weeds for compost, fodder or biogas; regulation of water discharge and manipulation of water levels to discourage weed growth.
8. Impediment to movement of livestock and humans. Provision of passageways.
9. Threat to historic, cultural or aesthetic features. Siting of project to prevent loss.
salvage or protection of cultural sites.
10. Siting of project to less vulnerable area. Siting of project to less vulnerable area.
Limitation and regulation of water take-off to minimize problems to extent possible.
11. Social misdemeanour by construction workers Impacts associated with the contractor‘s camp include:
disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
theft, alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases (especially HIV/AIDS).
As a contractual obligation, contractors should be required to have an HIV/AIDS policy and a framework (responsible staff, action plan, etc) to implement it during project execution.
Contractor to curb thefts and misbehaviour through a code of conduct.
Contractor to manage any of its waste properly.
3. Irrigation and Drainage.
Establishing/maintaining Small Scale gravity irrigation schemes.
Improved homestead gardening e.g. using drip irrigation kits.
No.
POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS
MITIGATING MEASURE
1. Soil erosion (furrow, surface) Proper design and layout of furrows or field avoiding too steep a gradient.
Land leveling.
Design of terraces on hillside minimizing surface erosion hazard.
2. Soil erosion (with sprinkler irrigation on hilly area). Design of sprinkler system minimizing erosion hazard assuring infiltration rate exceeds application rate of the sprinklers.
3. Waterlogging of soils. Regulation of water application to avoid overwatering (including controlled turn-out to allow cutting off water supply to irrigation ditches),
.installation and maintenance of adequate drainage system.
. use of lined canals or pipes to prevent seepage.
. Use of sprinkler or drip irrigation.
4. Salinization of soils Measures to avoid water logging:
. Leaching of salts by flushing soils periodically
. Cultivation of
5. Scouring of canals Design of canal system to minimize risk and use of lined canals.
6. Clogging of canals by sediments. Measures to minimize erosion on fields.
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7. Leaching of nutrients from soils. Avoidance of overwatering.
replacement of nutrients by fertilizers or crop rotations.
8. Algal blooms and weed proliferation. Reduction of input to release of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) from fields.
9. Clogging of canals by weeds. Design and management of canals to minimize weed growth.
. Provision of access to canals for treatment or removal of weeds.
10. Deterioration of river water quality below irrigation project And contamination of local ground water ( higher salinity Nutrients, agrochemicals) affecting fisheries and downstream users
Improved water management; improved agricultural practices and control of inputs (particularly biocides and chemical fertilizers).
Imposition of water quality criteria.
11. Reduction of downstream flows affecting flood plain use, flood plain ecology, riverine and estuarine fisheries, users of water, dilution of pollutants.
Relocation or redesign of project.
. Regulation of takeoff to mitigate effects.
Compensatory measures where possible.
12. Encroachment on swamps and other ecologically sensitive Areas.
Siting of projects to avoid or minimize encroachment on critical areas.
13. Alteration or destruction of wildlife habitat or impediment to movement of wildlife.
Siting of project to minimize loss or avoid encroachment on most sensitive or critical areas.
Establishment of compensatory parks or reserved areas.
Animal rescue and relocation.
Provision of corridors for movement.
14. Impediment to movement of livestock and humans. Provision of passageways.
15. Threat to historic, cultural or aesthetic features. Siting of project to prevent loss.
salvage or protection of cultural sites.
16. Siting of project to less vulnerable area. Siting of project to less vulnerable area.
Limitation and regulation of water take-off to minimize problems to extent possible.
17. Dislocation of populations and communities. Siting of project to minimize effect.
Resettlement scheme ensuring at least equal standard of living.
18. Introduction or increase in incidence of water-borne or water-related disease (schistosomiasis,malaria, onchocerciasis,etc.).
Prevention measures:
use of lined canals or pipes to discourage vectors
Avoidance of stagnant or slowly moving water
use of straight or slightly curving canals
Installation of gates at canal ends to allow complete flushing
Filling or draining of borrow pits along canals and roads
disease prophylaxis
disease treatment
19. Disease and health problems from use of wastewater in Irrigation.
Wastewater treatment (e.g.,settling ponds) prior to use.
Establishment and enforcement standards for wastewater use.
20. Conflicts over water supply and inequalities in water Distribution throughout service area.
Means to ensure equitable distribution among users and monitor to assure adherence.
21. Over pumping of groundwater. Limitation of withdrawal so that it does not exceed ‗safe yields‘ (recharge rate).
22. Occupational Health Safety risks
The movement of trucks to and from the site, the operation of various equipment and machinery and the actual agricultural activities will expose the workers to work-related accidents and injuries.
Pollutants such as dust and noise could also have negative implications for the health of workers.
All safety precautions must be enforced.
Provide PPE to all workers.
institute dust and noise suppression measures.
23. Social misdemeanour by construction workers
Impacts associated with the contractor‘s camp As a contractual obligation, contractors should
be required to have an HIV/AIDS policy and a
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include:
disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
theft, alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases (especially HIV/AIDS).
framework (responsible staff, action plan, etc) to implement it during project execution.
Contractor to curb thefts and misbehaviour through a code of conduct.
Contractor to manage any of its waste properly.
4. Crop Production
Asparagus, mushrooms and fruits for export.
Growing tree seedlings (fruit trees, ornamental trees, fuel wood).
Basic seed multiplication and sale.
No.
POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS
MITIGATING MEASURE
1. Soil erosion (furrow, surface) Proper design and layout of furrows or fields avoiding too steep a gradient.
Land leveling.
Design of terraces on hillside minimizing surface erosion hazard.
2. Pollution, environmental disruption and health hazards from Diseases and pest control measures
Choice of chemical that is species-specific, short residence time (active period), and has low impact on other biologic resources.
Protective measures for field workers.
Spraying methods and timing to minimize potential of water pollution.
Selection of disease-resistant crop varieties.
3. Reduction of genetic variability due to selective breeding
Conservation of genetic diversity in-site (protection of wild relatives in natural Habit, maintaining variability within populations by breeding) and ex-situ (e.g., preservation of genetic material in `banks`).
4. Negative effects of uncontrolled burning for brush control on soil and vegetation (deterioration of soil fertility and soil structure, altered wildlife habitat, destruction of vegetation)
Implementation of well-planned and controlled burning programs.
5. Conflicts over water supply and inequalities in water Distribution throughout service area.
Means to ensure equitable distribution among users and monitor to assure adherence.
6. Siting of project to less vulnerable area (marginal areas).
Siting of project to less vulnerable area.
Limitation and regulation of water take-off to minimize problems to extent possible.
7. Encroachment on swamps and other ecologically sensitive Areas (fragile ecosystems).
Siting of projects to avoid or minimize encroachment on critical areas.
8. Disease and health problems from use of wastewater in Irrigation.
Wastewater treatment (e.g., settling ponds) prior to use.
Establishment and enforcement standards for wastewater use.
15. Threat to historic, cultural or aesthetic features. Siting of project to prevent loss.
salvage or protection of cultural sites.
16. Occupational Health Safety risks
The movement of trucks to and from the site, the operation of various equipment and machinery and the actual agricultural activities will expose the workers to work-related accidents and injuries.
Pollutants such as dust and noise could also have negative implications for the health of workers.
All safety precautions must be enforced.
Provide PPE to all workers.
institute dust and noise suppression measures.
17. Social misdemeanour by construction workers
Impacts associated with the contractor‘s camp As a contractual obligation, contractors should be
required to have an HIV/AIDS policy and a framework
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include:
disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
theft, alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases (especially HIV/AIDS).
(responsible staff, action plan, etc) to implement it during project execution.
Contractor to curb thefts and misbehaviour through a code of conduct.
1. Soil erosion Proper design and layout of structures avoiding too steep a gradient.
Land leveling.
Design of terraces on hillside minimizing surface erosion hazard.
2. Increased soil erosion due to clearing of vegetation and trampling.
Increased siltation of surface waters.
Restriction of construction activities to good ground.
Soil erosion control measures (e.g., reforestation, terracing).
3. Siting of plant or facility complex on/near sensitive habitats
Location of plant in rural area away from estuaries, wetlands, or other sensitive or ecologically important habitats, or in industrial estate to minimize or concentrate the stress on local environment and services.
Involvement of natural resource agencies in review of siting alternatives.
4. Siting of agro-industry along water courses leading to their eventual degradation.
Site selection examining alternatives which minimize environmental effects and not preclude beneficial use of the water body using the following siting guidelines: o on a watercourse having a maximum
dilution and waste absorbing capacity o in an area where wastewater can be
reused with minimal treatment for agricultural or industrial purposes
o within a municipality which is able to accept the plant wastes in their sewage treatment system
o Improved water management; improved agricultural practices and control of inputs.
o Proper handling of waste. o Imposition of water quality criteria.
5. Siting of agro-industry so that air pollution problems are aggravated.
Location of plant at a high elevation above local topography, in an area not subject to air inversions, and where prevailing winds are away from populated areas.
6. Environmental deterioration (erosion, contamination of water and soil loss of soil fertility, disruption of wildlife habitat, etc.) from intensification of agricultural land use.
Control of agricultural inputs and cropping/grazing practices to minimize environmental problems.
7. Aggravation of solid waste problems in the area For facilities producing large volumes of waste, incorporation of the following guidelines in site selection:
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o plot size sufficient to provide a landfill or on-site disposal
o proximity to a suitable disposal site o convenient for public/private contractors
to collect and haul solid wastes for final disposal
8. Water pollution from discharge of liquid effluents
Plant: TSS; temperature; pH
Materials storage piles runoff: TSS; pH
Most agricultural, livestock, agro-industries, packaging and marketing operations produce solid waste.
- Steam and hot water boilers produce ash
- Fresh food and processed food markets, waste from canning
Livestock production units produce manure, dairy waste, waste from slaughter houses
Laboratory analysis of liquid effluent (including cooling water runoff from waste piles) in O/G, TDS, TSS, BOD, COD and in-situ temperature monitoring.
Seek guidance of local environmental officers to identify acceptable disposal sites.
Waste from agricultural activities can be further processed into other uses, e.g. organic manure. Reuse and recycling must be preferred over disposal of the waste.
9. Particulate emissions to the atmosphere from all plant operations.
Control of particulates by fabric filter collectors or electrostatic precipitators.
10. Gaseous and odor emissions to the atmosphere from processing operations.
Control by natural scrubbing action of alkaline materials; an analysis of raw materials during feasibility stage of project can determine levels of sulfur to properly design emission control equipment.
11. Accidental release of potentially hazardous solvents, acidic and alkaline materials.
Maintenance of storage and disposal areas to prevent accidental release; provide spill mitigation equipment.
12. Occupational health effects on workers due to fugitive dust, materials handling, noise, or other process operations. Accidents occur at higher than normal frequency because of level of knowledge and skill.
Development of a Safety and Health Program in the facility designed to identify, evaluate, and control safety and health hazards at a specific level of detail to address the hazards to worker health and safety and procedures for employee protection, including any or all of the following:
site characterization and analysis
site control
training
medical surveillance
engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment
monitoring
information programs
handling raw and process materials
decontamination procedures
emergency response
illumination
regular safety meetings
sanitation at permanent and temporary facilities
13. Disease and health problems from use of wastewater to irrigate crops.
Wastewater treatment (e.g., settling ponds) prior to use.
Establishment and enforcement standards for wastewater use in crop production.
14. Threat to historic, cultural or aesthetic features. Siting of project to prevent loss.
salvage or protection of cultural sites.
15. Temporary Visual Intrusions
Rehabilitation and upgrading of agricultural facilities like Warehouses, processing plants and other possible facilities will change the characteristics of the area and leave a marred landscapes.
Contractor should ensure minimum footprint of construction activities and provide decent accommodation for workers.
All altered landscapes (Sand pits, borrow pits, brick molding sites etc) should be rehabilitated by the contractor.
13. Noise
Noise and vibration caused by machines, site vehicles, pneumatic drills etc
Noise from the chicken, pigs or whatever
Contractor to avoid old equipment.
Heavy duty equipment to be minimized.
Noisy operations to be limited to certain times.
Noise levels to be limited to within acceptable
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animals which are being raised.
Noise from the processing of agricultural produce.
levels.
Animal raising to be in designated areas to avoid being a nuisance to the general public.
Processing plants should be sited away from residential areas.
14. Social misdemeanor by construction workers
Impacts associated with the contractor‘s camp include:
disposal of liquid and solid wastes.
theft, alcoholism and sexually transmitted diseases (especially HIV/AIDS).
As a contractual obligation, contractors should be required to have an HIV/AIDS policy and a framework (responsible staff, action plan, etc) to implement it during project execution.
Contractor to curb thefts and misbehaviour through a code of conduct.
