First Phase Plan
Farmers’ Cooperation in Cuur
(May 2025 – April 2026)
1.Project Overview
Farm Area Size: 15 hectares
Start Date: May 2025
Available Resources:
- One 30m³ water pond
- Basic hand tools (hoe, rake, watering cans)
- Manual labor (2 workers)
- Farming Method:
- No-till farming (avoiding soil disturbance)
- Use of limited water (mulch + ponds)
- Reliant on rainfall, with additional water if necessary
2. Key Objectives (Year 1)
- Plant Over 800 Drought-Resistant Trees
- Build 1 Hectare Experimental Vegetable Farm
- Distribute Seeds for Maize, Beans, and Sorghum on 10+ Hectares
- Excavate 2–3 Water Storage Ponds
- Create a Scalable System for Cuur
3. Land Allocation
| Zone | Size | Objective |
| Zone A | 2 ha | Food Trees, Shade, and Windbreaks |
| Zone B | 1 ha | Experimental Vegetable Farm |
| Zone C | 8 ha | Seed Distribution: Beans, Sorghum, Maize |
| Zone D | 4 ha | Buffel Grass and Soil Covering |
4. Monthly Work Plan
May – June 2025
- Prepare staff, tools, seeds, and mulch
- Dig two new ponds
- Plant 800+ trees in Zone A
- Broadcast seeds in Zones C and D
- Cover planted areas with mulch
July – August 2025
- Monitor seedling growth
- Provide emergency irrigation if needed
- Harvest bean leaves
September – October 2025
- Harvest cowpeas, sesame, and sorghum
- Cut Buffel grass
- Start the Year 2 tree nursery
November – December 2025 (Deyr Rainy Season)
- Plant second round of vegetables
- Expand Buffel grass area
- Replace dead trees
January – February 2026
- Irrigate young trees
- Harvest drought-resistant crops
- Maintain soil with mulch
March – April 2026
- Prepare new compost
- Evaluate Year 1 success
- Prepare for Year 2 project expansion
- Store successful seeds
5. Seeds and Quantities to be Planted
| Crop/Tree | Area | Seed Quantity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarind, Moringa, Ziziphus | 2 ha | 800 trees | Food + Shade |
| Cowpea (Beans) | 5 ha | 60–65 kg | Food + Soil Improvement |
| Sesame | 3 ha | 15 kg | Commercial Crop |
| Sorghum | 3 ha | 30 kg | Food + Fodder |
| Buffel Grass | 4 ha | 40–50 kg | Soil Cover |
| Mixed Vegetables | 1 ha | Various | Household Food + Trial |
6. Water Plan
| Purpose | Required Water |
|---|---|
| Trees (800) | 30,000–40,000 L |
| Trial Garden | 20,000–25,000 L |
| Emergency Irrigation | 5,000–10,000 L |
| Total | ~75,000 L |
Available Water
- Existing pond: 30,000 L
- Two new ponds: 60,000+ L
- Total: 90,000+ L
7. Staff and Salary Plan
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Staff | 2 people |
| Working Hours | 6 hours per person per day |
| Workdays per Year | ~63 days |
| Active Months | May 2025 – February 2026 (10 months) |
| Monthly Salary | $200 per person |
| Total Salary per Person | $2,000 |
| Total Salary (2 Staff) | $4,000 |
8. Estimated Project Costs
A) Staff Costs
- Salaries: 2 staff × $200 × 10 months = $4,000
B) Seed Costs
- Cowpea Seeds (65 kg @ $2/kg): $130
- Sesame Seeds (15 kg @ $3/kg): $45
- Sorghum Seeds (30 kg @ $2/kg): $60
- Buffel Grass Seeds (50 kg @ $4/kg): $200
- Mixed Vegetables: $100
Total Seed Cost: $535
C) Pond Excavation Costs
- Tools (hoes, forks): $150 (one-time purchase)
- Hard Labor Bonus: 20 days × $5/day × 2 workers = $200
Total Pond Excavation Cost: $350
D) Mulch iyo Compost
- Mulch Transport: $100
- Compost Preparation: $150
Total Mulch and Compost Cost: $250
E) Nursery Setup Costs
- Nursery Materials (trays, soil, mesh): $120
F) Water Equipment Costs
- Water Containers, Pipes, etc.: $150
G) Miscellaneous Costs
- Admin, Transport, Maintenance, etc.: $200
9. Total Project Costs
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Staff Costs | $4,000 |
| Seed Costs | $535 |
| Pond Excavation (Tools + Labor) | $350 |
| Mulch and Compost | $250 |
| Nursery Setup | $120 |
| Water Equipment | $150 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | $200 |
Total Estimated Project Cost: $5,605
10. Expected Results by April 2026
- 700–800 trees planted and thriving
- 10–12 hectares cultivated
- 300–500 kg of food harvested
- 2–3 tons of Buffel grass harvested
- 50–60% of the land covered
- Full preparation for Phase 2
Conclusion
The Phase 1 plan for the Cuur Farmers’ Cooperative (May 2025 – April 2026) lays a solid foundation for the development of local farmers in Cuur.
With an estimated cost of $5,605, the project will achieve:
- Food Security
- Soil Care and Prevention of Desertification
- New Skills Leading to Sustainable Local Development
- A Scalable System for Expanding to the Entire Cuur Region
Advice: It is essential to prepare seeds, equipment, and labor before May 2025 to start the work as soon as the spring rains begin.
Prepared by:
Cuur Farmers’ Cooperative
Date: April 2025
