Design and Implementation of Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration Site alongside Training of Local Population | 2021-2023

500 Trained in Regenerative Agriculture, Permaculture, and Climate Change Mitigation for Agriculture Micro-Enterprises

Client

Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA)

Challenge

Under the Qudra II program* HIA worked to improve food security and livelihood opportunities for small-scale farmers and landowners in Iraq, who suffer from the consequences of climate change and conflict.

Approach

As part of an international team of experts, Maramia team members supported the design of a demonstration site based on Permaculture principles. Nature-based solutions, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling systems, and the use of perennial and drought-resistant plants, were integrated during the implementation. The project included two additional elements: training small landowners and local stakeholders (women, students, agricultural engineers), and providing small grants to support agriculture-related livelihoods by implementing the gained knowledge into practice.

Outcome

The demonstration site was able to capture rainwater and use greywater after the first year, resulting in the stabilisation of planted trees and the production of crops. It further allowed participants of the training to witness the functioning of the design principles and thus, in combination with the received micro-grant, enabled them to use what they had learned and seen in their own lands.

* Qudra II is a regional action program co-financed by the European Union, through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis, the EU Madad Fund, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).