Rehabilitation of agricultural systems in Aceh: developing Nurseries of Excellence (NOEL)

The Rehabilitation of Agricultural Systems in Aceh Developing Nurseries of Excellence (NOEL) Program is implemented by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) with assistance from Winrock International and local partners, through support from the Government of Canada as represented by the Minister of International Cooperation, acting through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Program agreement was signed in January 2007 and NOEL Program activities initiated in April 2007. This Program is designed to improve agroforestry in the communities most affected by the tsunami that hit a number of countries in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004. Indonesia was the country most adversely affected by this natural disaster. Approximately 200,000 people were killed and 500,000 displaced. The damage to local economy was catastrophic. About 60% of the internally displaced people are located in north-eastern district of Aceh. Given the large number of internally displaced people in this region, there are potentially serious environmental impact arising from the substantial increase in population density and increased pressure on agriculture, slopes, and forests. In this context, there is a need to develop a Program for re-establishing and improving agroforestry in all communities and watersheds that have been affected. The Program approach is to identify and work with motivated farmers and community groups committed to agroforestry systems and market- orientation through the establishment of mother nurseries in the three most affected districts in A ceh; Aceh Barat, Aceh Jaya and Pidie. Several areas of activities have been identified: 1) execute applied research on production and m arketing chains; 2) establish effective Tree Nurseries of Excellence at the district levels that produce quality planting material available for affected communities; 3) establish community-based nurseries through community organizations; and 4) design and implement additional t raining courses addressing priority topics identified by Program communities and other partners courses might address special nursery-related topics, soil management, agroforestry, arboriculture and harvesting /post- harvesting techniques for priority crops .

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