Kiribati and Papua New Guinea face significant environmental challenges, including food and nutrition insecurity due to frequent natural disasters, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather events. This presentation highlights the transformative impact of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) projects by GGGI in these regions, which focus on sustainable farming practices, soil conservation, and water management. CSA initiatives have improved crop yields, optimized resource use, and promoted social inclusion, particularly empowering women and marginalized groups. By enhancing climate resilience, CSA helps safeguard communities against environmental shocks and supports green economic opportunities.
In Papua New Guinea, a new initiative involves women leading tree-planting efforts to combat deforestation and environmental degradation. This project, timed with World Environment Day 2024, aims to foster a culture of environmental stewardship among women, contrasting with traditional male-dominated practices of deforestation.
Similarly, in the Karakalpakstan Aral Sea Basin, the Yashil Makon afforestation initiative focuses on planting Karatal willow trees to address environmental degradation and support local livelihoods. Despite initial skepticism from farmers, the benefits of Karatal willows for windbreaks and agroforestry are being demonstrated, with the goal of establishing a national tree-planting culture.
Additionally, DCCSL’s tree-planting program targets planting 320,000 trees to stabilize soil erosion and create buffer zones against natural disasters. Training programs for farmers aim to promote sustainable livelihoods and forest conservation, while advocacy efforts address broader ecological and societal issues.