Sustainable Developement a community-based approach Empowering communities for a better environment Background This project, implemented in Santo Antão Island, contribute to strengthen local capacities and participation of local communities in sustainable management of natural resources in protected areas. The need to secure livelihoods of households in protected areas, especially for women, means that there should be a change in the relationship between people and parks. In this sense, this project focused on women and their families and livelihood activities, emphasizing the shared responsibility of resources, as well as enabling mechanisms to conserve endemic biodiversity and protect land from erosion.
Project Number:
CPV/SGP/0P4/Y3/RAF/2010/07
Country:
CAPE VERDE
Project Type:
Full
Project Category:
Regular
Operational Phase:
OP4 - Y3 (Jul 09 - Jun 10)
Dates:
7/2010 - 6/2011
MOA signed: 30-06-2010 Grant Amount as per MOA:
13,886 00 USD
Grantee:
Associação de Apoio A Auto Promoção da Mulher No Desenvolvimento (MORABI)
Company Type:
Non-government Organization
Results A total number of 124 local community members of Pedra Racha, Bordeira de Cova, Tabuleiro, Covão, Chã de Padre, Pico de António and Cabeceira do Vale do Paúl were involved in project activities. A Core Environmental group was created and are currently engaged in park management initiatives. Women and youth of the Park were trained in «Sisal» a and aloe vera processing and management of small business. By now is very clear that resident population of the park recognize the importance of endemic species flora conservation and they contribute for the reforestation of the project area with 10 endemic species.
Capacity - Building Component A total of 10 local women received training in «Sisal» transformation, and management of small business. Also, 4 environmental education sessions were promoted in the localities of Lombo de Beatriz e Cabo de Ribeira, and Ribeira de Paul. The aim was to promote sustainable use park resources for the benefit of local communities. Community members involved in the 2 groups participated in two fairs in Santo Antão and São Vicente islands, and established contacts to sell products in others islands. Awareness of Global Environment The initiative promoted sustainable use of biodiversity. But more importantly it promoted conservation of key endemic park and global species.
Manufactured product information Name of product: « Sisal Baskets and Sisal Place Mats» Name of species and ecosystem:
Sisal basket manufactured by women participating in the project
Sisal (Agave sisalana), is plant species used for commercial purposes. In Cape Verde there are different species of the same family, but in general people refer to them as Sisal, Carrapate or even Pitra. This plant is made of a strong fiber that makes it is resilient to drought and can withstand intense sun heat. The fibers represent only 4-5% of the gross mass of the sisal leaf. The leaves may be cut every 6 or so months, depending on availability, and the entire life cycle of the plant that is 6 / 7 years. In the Cape Verdes the plant is found at high altitude and humid areas, including protected areas. It is not endemic and is considered an invasive species.
Location of product: Sisal basket manufactured by women participating in the project
High and humid altitude areas, including the country protected areas.
Name of Producer Organization: Associação de Apoio à Auto-promoção da Mulher no Desenvolvimento Delegação Região Norte - Sisal Transformation Units of Chã das Caldeiras, Paúl e Rabo Curto. Contact: Fátima Alves and Arlinda Paris Mindelo, São Vicente Phones: +238 232 6499 and +238 221 1704 Email: morabisv@cvtelecom.cv
Global distribution: The species origin is uncertain; while is believed to have originated in México. th During the 19 century it was cultivated in Florida, USA, Brazil, Caribbean, Tanzania, Kenya, and in Cape Verde. Unlike Brazil, Cape Verde is not a major producer of sisal products and fiber. It is used rather to make local products Sisal Place Mats manufactured by women participating in the project
for the local market.
Biodiversity Conservation Value: In the northern part of the archipelago, sisal is used by farmers and fishermen due to fiber durability and its ability to stretch and resistance to deterioration in saltwater. It has seen some decline in use though, due to competition from polypropylene and other similar products. Users in Cova, Paúl and Torre, Natural Park, have been sensitized and are starting to use the resource for various purposes. Apart from ropes, twines, baskets, shoes, hats, Cova, Paúl and Torre, Natural Park is using sisal as a lowcost and easy to make stuff, such as door mats, place mats, and handicrafts.
Sisal Place Mats manufactured by women participating in the project
As extraction of the fiber uses only a small percentage of the plant, some attempts to improve economic viability have focused on utilizing the waste material for production of biogas. In the Santo Antão this has not been promoted as yet, nor has it been tested as forage, which is known to be valuable. The initial process to make sisal products is almost the same for all products. It only differs on techniques used when fibers are ready for each desired product. The fiber is then dried, brushed and prepared in different braiding sizes, depending on the purpose the fiber is being prepared for. There are at least 10 small communities, with an estimated population of less than 2,000 people, living within the park.
Concept and editing : Anita Pinto Text: Ricardo Monteiro/Anita Pinto Photo: Masakazu Shibata
Manufactured product information Name of product «Traditional Organic Soap»
Name of species and ecosystem Jatropha curcas L. (scientific name) is often referred to as Jatropha. In Cape Verde is known as «Purgueira». It is a plant species that produces seeds with a high oily content, which in turn can be used to make traditional soap. «Purgueira» grows in sub-tropical conditions, can withstand severe drought periods, and low soil fertility. It has the capacity to help land recover from erosion problems. Since it cannot be used as food or crop forage, it plays an important role in protecting land and crops from cattle destruction. Location of product All over the Cape Verdes, especially in Ribeira dos Bodes, Santo Antão Island.
Name of Producer Organization Atelier Mar - Women´s Group of Ribeira dos Bodes, Santo Antão Contact Simom Baliteau or António Santos Atelier Mar – Porto Novo, Santo Antão Phones: +238 222 2670, +238 983 0607 and +238 986 0603 Emails: atmarportonovo@cvtelecom.cv and t_santhos@yahoo.co.in
Global distribution Jatropha curcas, also known in English as physic nut, is originally from Central America, but can be found and it is cultivated in the Caribbean, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and other countries in Africa and Asia.
Biodiversity Conservation Value «Purgueira» is traditionally grown in Santo Antão Island; its multipurpose commercial and conservation significance has shown to be critical in antierosion processes, and seen as vital to maintain island cultural traditions, as well as a way to promote agro biodiversity initiatives.Although Jatropha seeds have a high oil content, in Cape Verde is not intended as yet for biodiesel production; rather in is mainly used to make «Purga Oil», an important fatty oil component to produce organic soap. «Traditional Organic Soap» process starts by collection, gathering and burning of Jatropha seeds or seed residue, banana leaves, and its branches. The ashes are collected and placed in a basket with small holes and water is added. The liquid that flows out of the basket is collected in a bowl. The process is repeated until a certain degree of concentration is obtained. The result filtered (concentrated material) is heated for several hours until it reaches a desired concentration level by evaporation. While still «cooking», purga oil is then added to the obtained mixture, and stirred with a wooden spoon. This process is known in the local language as «Colocar o Pau», which means «add the wooden stick». After being stirred to a certain point, the formed soap is removed from the boiling container. The soap product is then hand molded with a cloth, and wrapped in banana leaves.
Product Description: Traditionally the organic soap is used to for day-to-day body cleansing activities, and for treatment of rare skin and scalp diseases. Similar to «Purga Oil», lately traditional organic soap is being widely promoted by the community women, as a way to keep alive their traditions and to obtain additional income, while helping the environment.
Community Description and Social/Cultural Significance of Product: Ribeira dos Bodes distance about 17 km from Porto Novo City, in Santo Antão Island, is a rural poor and agro-silvo-pastoral community facing extreme drought conditions. Therefore, water accessibility, and sustainable livelihoods have been historically their main concern. The group of women engaged in «Purga Oil» production are part of the Ribeira dos Bodes Community Development Association, a CBO formed in 2001, with 52 members, of which 33 men and 19 women.
Concept and editing : Anita Pinto Text: Ricardo Monteiro/Anita Pinto Photo: Masakazu Shibata
Manufactured product information Name of product «Purga Oil»
Name of species and ecosyste Jatropha curcas L. (scientific name) is often referred to as Jatropha. In Cape Verde is commonly known as «Purgueira». It is a plant that produces seeds with high oil content. The seeds are toxic and, in principle and should not be eaten.«Purgueira» grows in sub-tropical conditions, can withstand severe drought periods, and low soil fertility. It has the capacity to help land recover from erosion problems. Since it cannot be used as food or crop forage, it plays an important role in protecting land and crops from cattle destruction.
Location of product All over the Cape Verdes, especially in Ribeira dos Bodes, Santo Antão Island.
Name of Producer Organization Atelier Mar - Women´s Group of Ribeira dos Bodes, Santo Antão
Contact Simom Baliteau or António Santos Atelier Mar – Porto Novo, Santo Antão Phones: +238 222 2670, +238 983 0607 and +238 986 0603 Emails: atmarportonovo@cvtelecom.cv and t_santhos@yahoo.co.in
Global distribution Jatropha curcas, is also known as physic nut in English, is originally from Central America, but can be found and it is cultivated in the Caribbean, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and other countries in Africa and Asia.
Biodiversity Conservation Value «Purgueira» is traditionally grown in Santo Antão Island; its multipurpose commercial and conservation significance has shown to be critical in antierosion processes, and seen as vital to maintain island cultural traditions, as well as a way to promote agro biodiversity. Although Jatropha seeds have a high oil content (fatty oils), in Cape Verde the use is not intended as yet for biodiesel production; rather in is mainly used to make «Purga Oil» and organic soap, for traditional medicinal purposes. The traditional process to make «Purga Oil» is entirely done by women. It entails gathering and cracking Jatropha seeds, which are then boiled in water, using fire wood/fossil fuel. During the boiling process the oil is collected with a wooden spoon, and boiled again a second time to remove still existent water. The new system, which is promoted by this project, uses an innovative seed grinder. This advanced small machine has the ability to grind the seeds, while extracting the oil content from them, faster than the traditional way. This practical way to produce oil is environmental friendly, because there is no firewood collection, no CO2 released, and seeds residue are used as fertilizers. The traditional system produces 73g of oil/hour, whereas the new enhanced grinder system gets 183g/hour. The oil from this process is yellowish, while the traditional one is dark brown, and believed to be of an enhanced quality.
Product Description: «Purga Oil» contains B1 Vitamins, and is used to treat rare skin and scalp diseases, minor aches (ear), abdominal cramps, and arthritis pain. The oil is also used as raw material for organic soap production that is used to remove unwanted skin spots.«Purga Oil» at some point in Cape Verde may have lost some of its traditional importance. Communities at some point engaged in other types of crop production which entailed more revenue. Nonetheless, during the past few years, the value of the oil and its properties has been widely promoted and reinvigorated, and communities have appropriated of its cultural and potential commercial significance again. Even though «Purga Oil», for some does not have an attractive smell; it is seen and understood by many as way to maintain cultural legacy, and to promote medicinal traditional practices. For others, the new manufacturing way enables women to spend less time collecting firewood, and produce enhance oil quality and quantity, which in turn will give them access to more income, while promoting environmental conservation.
Community Description and Social/Cultural Significance of Product: Ribeira dos Bodes distance about 17 km from Porto Novo City, in Santo Antão Island, is a rural poor and agro-silvo-pastoral community facing extreme drought conditions. Therefore, water accessibility, and sustainable livelihoods have been historically their main concern. The group of women engaged n «Purga Oil» production are part of the Ribeira dos Bodes Community Development Association, a CBO formed in 2001, with 52 members, of which 33 men and 19 women.
Concept and editing : Anita Pinto Text: Ricardo Monteiro/Anita Pinto Photo: Masakazu Shibata