George Hops Farmers Association Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programme by Hops Farmers Assoc.

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Christopher Rhie Jun 14, 2013 04:41 Fellow 1 \| Share via:	Thank you for your contribution. This proposal is clearly presented, unique, and feasible - excellent overall presentation. I'm curious what kind of unexpected challenges you have come across so far? Also, do you think this is a replicable model?
2013civilsocietyadaptationjudges 2013civilsocietyadaptationjudges Jun 29, 2013 07:58 Judge 2 \| Share via:	This is a very good example of an adaptation project with direct impact on communities and development. Our feedback for finalizing your proposal: • It would be good to include a project component on capacity building and the strengthening of the farmers' organization and leadership, so that in the future they do not depend on NGOs.
Nicci Diederichs Jul 1, 2013 04:05 Member 3 \| Share via:	Proposal contributor Although not mentioned in the project description, a key component of the programme involves the strengthening and continued development of the Farmers' institution to help ensure good governance capacity for water, climate and other risks. While there is an NGO involved in helping to facilitate this process, the Farmers are directing the form and process of institutional development. The intention is to establish a strong and well capacitated institutional structure that retains maximum participation by as many Farmers as possible. The process of institutional development is also building collaborative relationships between the Farmers Assocation and other stakeholders, including local government, national government and other farmer groups in the region.
Nicci Diederichs Jul 1, 2013 05:34 Member 4 \| Share via:	Proposal contributor In response to comment 1 - there have been many challenges, although none have been totally unexpected. One of the main challenges has been retaining the active participation of all the farms through the tough times. In an increasingly pressurised environment where the costs of production are rapidly increasing, risks are also rapidly increasing and profit margins are falling, it can be really difficult to motivate people to stay on board innovative programmes which investment of time and energy. A key strategy has therefore been to make sure that we find things to do that result in wins - even if small - and often. If the goals are only the big lofty ones that take a long time to achieve, then maintaining ongoing active participation is much harder to sustain. The model itself is pretty simple - and would be replicable where you have groups of farmers / a community that is jointly affected by changing climate and / or increasing risks. There only needs to be a common problem and an associated common goal (or set of goals) that can be achieved through collaborative action for a programme like this to really work well.
Dr. Alexander Aylett Jul 1, 2013 11:02 Judge 5 \| Share via:	Hi Nicci, thanks for that additional information, particularly on how you strengthening the farmers' own institutional capacity to govern issues like water and climate related risks. If you haven't already, please add that information to the project description before we begin the final round of judging on July 15th.
2013civilsocietyadaptationjudges 2013civilsocietyadaptationjudges Jul 29, 2013 02:17 Judge 6 \| Share via:	Strong proposal; incorporated judges' feedback requesting component on institutional capacity building.