Impacts
TERAKA’s impact
The TERAKA Program has a significant impact on , and . It contributes to the and generates various benefits for people in different climates and conditions.
01
Climate change mitigation & adaptation
Trees play a crucial role in both climate change mitigation and adaptation. They mitigate climate change by absorbing and storing carbon through photosynthesis and serving as a renewable energy source. They also help adapt to climate change by providing shade, reducing heat stress, preventing soil erosion, and regulating water cycles.
Through training and sharing of local best practices, TERAKA farmers develop and acquire skills to adapt their agriculture to climate change conditions such as lower rainfall, stronger winds and increased likelihood of erosion and fire.
02
Communities
The impact of trees, the Small Group structure, and TERAKA project management is vast, creating a plethora of benefits for communities.
Benefits of Trees
Trees have multiple benefits, such as:
- Providing shade for cooling homes and promoting grass growth for cattle
- Acting as windbreaks to keep laundry in place and roofs intact
- Preventing erosion
- Providing fruits and honey for consumption and sale
- Cleaning and retaining water along streams
- Supplying firewood and medicines
- Offering fodder to keep cattle alive during droughts
- Supplying fertilizer for farms and gardens
Benefits of Small Groups
Gathering farmers in small groups offers many benefits to its members, such as:
- Joint project opportunities
- Leadership experience and growth
- Improved farming practices implementation
- Joint financial decision-making
- Shared learning
- Discussion of farm improvement ideas
- Development and sharing of best practices
- Mutual support during times of need
Benefits of TERAKA's Approach to Project Management
The TERAKA program is based on a system of self-governance and expansion by its participants, where everyone has the opportunity to develop their skills and leadership by taking responsibility within the program. It places gender aspects at the center of its set up and implementation, reinforcing the role of women in the project management, activities and benefits sharing.
TERAKA's project management approach offers benefits such as:
- Learning from each other and gathering information in Seminars
- Unhindered opportunities to "Go and Do"
- Developing technical and administrative skills
- Developing local organizational approaches
- Learning and using group facilitation skills
- Traveling, teaching, and encouraging other TERAKA farmers
- Measuring, reporting and verifying results and ensuring quality (see Community-MRV)
03
Biodiversity
Planting trees, including indigenous trees, have positive impacts on biodiversity:
- Habitat creation: Trees provide habitats for many species of birds, mammals, insects, and other animals, helping to create or restore healthy ecosystems.
- Food and resources: Trees provide food, shelter, and resources for wildlife, including nuts, fruits, and seeds that attract birds and other animals.
- Ecological corridors: Trees can serve as part of ecological corridors, which allow wildlife to move between fragmented habitats and increase genetic diversity.
- Soil conservation: Trees prevent soil erosion by stabilizing slopes and reducing runoff, which can help to maintain healthy soil ecosystems.
- Climate regulation: Trees play a critical role in regulating the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen, which reduces the negative impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
- Water conservation: Trees help to maintain water quality and availability by filtering pollutants and replenishing groundwater.
04
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The TERAKA Program touches on all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals!
While we do not claim to fully achieve the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), TERAKA farmers have a positive effect on all of them. Click below to see how the TERAKA program responds to the SDGs.
