After evaluations by themes, the teams presented summaries of their findings and began negotiations on possible interventions that have been identified. The results focused on the relationship between resources. Therefore, negotiations were conducted on the basis of the program, as opposed to the activity.

For example, where a Delevu dam water for the animals has been proposed, the importance of forest management in the watershed to control silt and improve the recharge of surface waters has been emphasized in order to extend the life of the dam. Particular attention was paid to the need for an institutional arrangement for each intervention. As a result, interest groups were formed. These groups were self-selected and comprised of local facilitators.

Later, a detailed research plan was developed, the plan specified the methodology for reducing land degradation caused by humans and possibly raise groundwater levels in dambos and plains. It is expected that the water table to a higher level will improve the living conditions following the crop and livestock productivity, and improve the availability of water throughout the year in hydraulic structures such as boreholes and wells.

   




The community has identified the erosion trays in small ravines because of deforestation, overgrazing and inappropriate cultivation methods, siltation of rivers, and inadequate management of runoff in dambos as problems criticism. The facilitators have held meetings with farmers to raise awareness about the consequences of deforestation and implications for management of monitoring information. There are other measures being implemented, including the rational grazing, ridges, culture level, and field testing of treadle pumps.

Poor protection of forests, poor moisture management and soil fertility in the fields, and lack of water for animals are all problems related to sanitation. The community has developed laws to protect the forests. After the rainfall and consequent soil erosion a rain gauge should be used to monitor the situation. A dam can being built to fight against the problems of water for animals.

The management of natural resources requires a lot of time. However, if the benefits can be made tangible with the appropriate technologies. It is best used to target areas where the benefits will be seen more quickly, in this case the infertile fields and silted baccarat dams. The use of simple and effective tools for monitoring helps the community in the activities of natural resource management. Groups must be created to spend time and effort devoted to the management of these activities, with clear roles and responsibilities.

Farmers react to action. For this reason, training should be as practical as possible, focusing on the demonstrations as opposed to the lectures and the implementation on the ground. Training by study visits to farmers in similar situations can be very effective. Young people are often more innovative and less opposed to taking risks. Their participation can contribute to the implementation of new ideas and activities and should be encouraged. The use of local materials, such as wood brush, should be encouraged whenever possible. Their availability will allow for replication and rapid dissemination of technologies as they are adopted.

Farmers are both rational and innovative, like online gamers. They adopt, and may be even more important, adapting technologies with tangible benefits. The adaptation of new technologies by farmers is very important. This takes into account environmental variations and enhances the credibility of new technologies, thereby helping to faster acceptance and implementation by the neighbors.

 
Improving relations between the leaders of community-based organizations and traditional leaders, a training module was developed to clarify roles, responsibilities, and relationships between traditional chiefs and leaders of community-based organizations. Although its use has had some success in some areas, the problem is widespread in the project area and its resolution will therefore take long.
Providing the motivation and incentives for responsible ecological sanitation depends on community-based organizations. Officials should devote much time to organize group activities, not just poker games but also reflection about sanitation isues, which currently is are insufficient in this regard. If the situation continues, the participation of officials will perhaps decrease, reducing the long-term viability of these institutions.
This raises the question of how community-based organizations can begin to generate their own funds, or whether groups should be ephemeral.

Proportional increase. The project was able to achieve a fairly rapid acceptance of technology management of natural resources that provide little immediate benefit. The challenge for the future is to increase the number of participants both within and outside the project.

This introduction of participants was done by Elmer G. Elorde Jr., the PUVeP technician in charge for setting up the garden after Clarito A. Santos left in 2007.
 

Since 1997, PUVeP has implemented numerous research and social outreach projects. A summary list of these projects can be downloaded here.

PUVeP served as the main coordinator for following European Union funded projects:
 
GIS-based Urban Environmental Resources Management and Food Security Project
(EU AsiaUrbs Program)

2002-2004

Urban and Periurban Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development for Sustainable Vegetable Production and Marketing Systems
(EU INCO_DEV Program)
1997 - 2000
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