Mixed species farming and restoration through support for local indigenous stakeholders

Overview

Dak Nen commune is the furthest commune from the mainland Mang Den maintown, Kon Plong district. It is extremely difficult to access, via almost 80km of very tough, mountainous, terrain. Road condition is poor and facilities are limited. The population consists mostly of the local indigenous Ca Doong ethnic minority, whose livelihoods are threatened by to the ongoing impacts of houses and crop-land being submerged by hydropower-dam impacts. Landslides and soil erosion are common. Recent drier climate and reduced rainfall, or sometimes heavy rains combined with strong wind, have affected harvest and food security and degraded livelihoods. Although large-scale farming has provided some income, the local government(s) and communities have increasingly lost their interest in it. Alternative, sustainable, farming models are needed that deal with soil erosion, and which enable sustainable forest landscape management through mixed species farming in upland areas that can potentially provide both ecological and economic outcomes for the long term sustainability of local communities and local governments. The project aims to mainstream mixed species farming and restoration whilst facilitating area-based conservation and landscape approaches by supporting local indigenous families and stakeholders in the Dak Nen commune engaging in this year-long on-site actions and documentation.