Plan for a Community-Based Agro-Biodiverse System
1. Vision and Objectives
Vision: To create a sustainable and biodiverse agricultural system that supports local livelihoods,
preserves biodiversity, and enhances community resilience.
Key Objectives:
o Increase crop diversity to improve ecosystem health and resilience.
o Promote sustainable farming techniques that minimize environmental harm.
o Strengthen community engagement through education and capacity-building.
o Create economic opportunities through value-added products and local markets.
2. Stakeholder Involvement
Identify key stakeholders (farmers, local organizations, academic institutions, government
agencies).
Form a community committee for planning and implementation.
Conduct participatory workshops to integrate community ideas and traditional knowledge.
3. Agro-Biodiversity Strategies
Crop Diversification: Encourage planting diverse, native, and climate-resilient crops.
Intercropping and Agroforestry: Promote mixed planting of trees, shrubs, and crops to enhance
biodiversity and soil health.
Seed Banks: Establish community seed banks to preserve native seeds and promote seed-
sharing.
Pollinator Corridors: Create habitats for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators by planting
native flowering plants.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Reduce chemical inputs and promote natural pest control
through biological methods.
Soil Health Management: Use cover crops, organic compost, and crop rotation to maintain soil
fertility.
4. Community Engagement and Education
Workshops and Training: Organize hands-on sessions on biodiversity conservation and
sustainable farming.
Youth Programs: Engage schools in biodiversity gardens or agro-projects.
Knowledge Exchange: Facilitate cross-community visits to successful agro-biodiverse farms.
5. Economic Opportunities
Develop local markets or cooperative models for selling diverse crops.
Promote value-added products (jams, pickles, dried herbs) from biodiversity crops.
Explore ecotourism options to showcase biodiversity practices.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation
Create simple indicators to track biodiversity (e.g., number of crop species, presence of
pollinators).
Use community feedback to refine practices and ensure inclusivity.
Share results with the broader community through public events or reports.
7. Partnerships and Funding
Partner with NGOs, universities, and government bodies for technical support.
Apply for grants or corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding to cover initial costs.
A simplified model
Steps with indicative costs to develop 10 acres of land in Gadap
1. Land Preparation
Activities:
o Clearing the land (removing debris, bushes, or existing structures).
o Leveling and grading the soil.
o Soil testing (to assess fertility and amendments needed).
Estimated Cost:
o Land clearing and leveling: PKR 20,000–30,000 per acre.
o Soil testing: PKR 10,000–15,000.
o Total for 10 acres: PKR 230,000–315,000.
2. Water Source Development
Activities:
o Installing a water borehole or tube well.
o Setting up water storage tanks and irrigation systems (e.g., drip or sprinkler).
Estimated Cost:
o Borehole/tube well installation: PKR 500,000–700,000.
o Irrigation system (drip/sprinkler): PKR 50,000–100,000 per acre.
o Total for 10 acres: PKR 1,000,000–1,500,000.
3. Fencing and Security
Activities:
o Erecting a boundary wall or wire fence.
o Installing a gate and basic security setup.
Estimated Cost:
o Barbed wire fence: PKR 50,000–70,000 per acre.
o Boundary wall (optional): PKR 300,000–400,000 per acre.
o Security gate and equipment: PKR 150,000–200,000.
o Total for 10 acres: PKR 650,000–4,200,000 (depending on fencing type).
4. Soil Fertility Enhancement
Activities:
o Adding organic matter (compost, manure).
o Chemical fertilizers (if needed).
o Implementing soil improvement practices (e.g., mulching, cover crops).
Estimated Cost:
o Organic matter and fertilizers: PKR 20,000–30,000 per acre.
o Total for 10 acres: PKR 200,000–300,000.
5. Plantation and Crop Setup
Activities:
o Purchasing and planting seeds, saplings, or crops.
o Cost varies depending on crops (e.g., fruit trees, vegetables, or field crops).
Estimated Cost:
o Vegetables: PKR 50,000–70,000 per acre.
o Fruit trees: PKR 100,000–200,000 per acre.
o Total for 10 acres: PKR 500,000–2,000,000.
6. Farm Infrastructure
Activities:
o Building a small farmhouse or storage shed.
o Installing solar panels (optional for power needs).
o Setting up livestock pens (if needed).
Estimated Cost:
o Small farmhouse or shed: PKR 500,000–800,000.
o Solar panels: PKR 400,000–600,000.
o Livestock pens: PKR 300,000–500,000.
o Total: PKR 1,200,000–1,900,000.
7. Maintenance and Labor
Activities:
o Hiring farm workers for land preparation, planting, and daily upkeep.
o Monthly operational costs (fuel, water, tools, etc.).
Estimated Cost:
o Labor: PKR 20,000–30,000 per worker/month (2–3 workers recommended).
o Operational costs: PKR 50,000–80,000/month.
o Yearly Total: PKR 1,000,000–1,500,000.
Summary of Estimated Costs
Stage Low Estimate (PKR) High Estimate (PKR)
Land Preparation 230,000 315,000
Water Source Development 1,000,000 1,500,000
Fencing and Security 650,000 4,200,000
Soil Fertility Enhancement 200,000 300,000
Plantation and Crop Setup 500,000 2,000,000
Farm Infrastructure 1,200,000 1,900,000
Maintenance and Labor (Yearly) 1,000,000 1,500,000
Total 4,780,000 11,715,000
Key Factors Impacting Costs:
1. Type of crops: High-value crops like fruits or herbs will increase costs but also boost profitability.
2. Irrigation method: Drip irrigation is costlier upfront but saves water long-term.
3. Fencing type: Barbed wire is cheaper, but a boundary wall offers better security.
4. Farm size adjustments: Economies of scale may reduce per-acre costs.
By: Rafiul Haq
Consultant Ecologist
