The DESIRE Approach and Dissemination Strategy: Botswana Site Perspectives and

Experiences

Atlhopheng, J.A, R. Chanda, K. Mulale

Structure of the presentation

Description of study site Summary of the DESIRE Approach Stakeholder mobilization Stakeholder engagement

Workshops Field visits

Technology selection Information dissemination

Boteti Study Site - Botswana

Description of Study Site

Semi-arid climate - subsistence agro-pastoralism

Droughts are endemic - with an estimated recurrence interval of 10-18 years

The area is recognized as a hotspot of land degradation driven by overgrazing and dry season wind erosion

The Boteti River has been dry for over 25years, and has negatively affected livelihoods in the area

DESIRE APPROACH

Multi-disciplinary . Triangulation (Expert,

Multiple Stakeholders . Local knowledge, field Researchers (academics) experience) Decision makers . Joint problem Land users . Pilot Project (knowledge Local authority in action

Participatory Action . Joint Monitoring

Research . Adaptive learning

Ownership of outcomes

Stakeholder Mobilization

Project area visit (researchers) Sub-district office - decision makers Kgotla (Chief’s office) – local authority Village Development Committee – land

users Pre-workshop as icebreaker – held at

community hall (considered neutral venue) DESIRE Project brief Relevant stakeholders identified

Stakeholder engagement

Workshops

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Field visits

Technologies

Stakeholders suggested four possible projects for piloting Community Game Ranching Rainwater harvesting Biogas Plant Solar Cookers

Information collected by experts – Game Ranching

Browser and Grazer

Information collected by experts – Rain water harvesting

Information collected by experts - Biogas

Information collected by experts – Solar Cooker

Participatory evaluation of the suggested projects

Participatory evaluation of the suggested projects

Participatory evaluation of the suggested projects

Dung & woody biomass survey

Information dissemination

Harmonized Information System (HIS) on the DESIRE website (http://www.desire-project.eu)

NB Boteti land users cannot access the information for

lack of Internet facilities and low literacy rates.

HIS Newsletters translated into vernacular language

Vernacular photo-filled posters

Video

The video has been used to communicate community views to the UNCCD Focal Point and other external stakeholder within Botswana, and is posted on the DESIRE website (http://www.desire-his.eu) for the global audience