Transforming Lives Through Climate Change Resilience and Food Security Training: Nissan and Atolls - District Youth Associations.

In the remote villages of Atolls and Nissan in Bougainville, communities have long struggled to adapt to the harsh impacts of climate change, with effects becoming increasingly evident. Rising sea levels, erratic weather patterns, and increasing temperatures have brought devastating consequences to the livelihoods of the people, threatening food security and posing freshwater scarcity. However, the youths of these villages decided to take matters into their own hands and find sustainable solutions to combat these changes with the help of experts from a local NGO, Bougainville Youth in Agriculture (BYiA).

Recognizing the urgent need to equip the youths with the knowledge and skills to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change and secure sustainable livelihoods, BYiA, launch a training program in June of 2023. The initiative, funded by the Australian Government through the Bougainville Partnership BYI Program, aimed to educate the youths on climate change and food security and how to store freshwater during longer dry seasons. The training sessions are held in collaboration with local community leaders, who provided valuable insights into the specific challenges faced by each district. The youths eagerly embraced the opportunity to learn and develop new skills, recognizing the importance of sustainable practices in securing their future. They worked tirelessly in the demonstration farms set up by the program, applying their knowledge and honing their skills under the guidance of experienced BYiA mentors.

The trainings focused on Improved Climate Resilient Agricultural practices and rainwater harvesting and storing. Farmers, youths and their families experiencing no yield from their kaukau plots because of the harsh impacts of the climate change learned the improved practices of sustainable gardening, clean planting, self-watering wicking bed, storage and sprouting, rapid multiplication of sweet potato and organic soil management. The use of composting and rainwater harvesting was also well received.

As the months passed, significant changes began to take shape in the communities. The youths implemented sustainable gardening practices in their own gardens, using organic fertilizers and clean planting materials to improve soil health and increase crop yields. They experimented with innovative techniques to adapt to the changing climate, such as building raised beds (Tsinabula) to protect crops from flooding and using shade structures to shield them from extreme heat. Garden plots are flourishing, with healthy plant growth and minimal soil erosion. Native and drought-resistant plants were successfully integrated into the gardens. Crop rotation and intercropping practices have led to improved soil health and reduced pest infestations. The gardens are showcasing a diverse range of plants, contributing to ecosystem stability. Families are now able to enjoy healthier diet, with a greater variety of garden food to choose from. The youths also organized workshops to teach others in the community about sustainable gardening practices, ensuring that no one is left out.

The youths did not stop there, with the expertise of the BYiA technical experts, the youths learned about freshwater conservation in the face of climate change. They set up rainwater harvesting systems to not only keep their gardens hydrated during dry spells but also reduced their reliance on traditional water sources.

In Nissan's urban ward, elderly participants like Limanda—who experienced World War II as a child—is now a proud woman using the clean plant material techniques and promoting the technology through her grandchildren. Youth participants such as Micolyne Salil and Melensi Nolan applied this technology within their families and communities, creating widespread awareness.  At the Lihon Yahkah ward, remarkable results are observed in sweet potato (kaukau) harvests. The comparison between treated and untreated vines clearly showed the benefits of clean plant techniques. While untreated vines yielded small or no kaukau, a single treated vine produced eight large, sweet potatoes, a result that astonished the community to spread BYiA's message quickly. Natasha, another youth, applied the technology to her vegetable garden, achieving similar positive outcomes. Meanwhile, other participants like Genelyn experimented with organic matter in taro cultivation, with promising results expected to follow. These examples underscore the success of the intervention interventions, and the important role youth and community members are playing in promoting sustainable agricultural practices on Nissan Island& the Atolls. Despite challenges such as water management and pest control, the project has demonstrated resilience and adaptability.

Nissan Island is a proven success.  BYiAs M&E has recorded success stories from youths and communities applying clean plant techniques to their sweet potatoe (kaukau) gardens and witnessing amazing results. Highest recorded tubers on one vine clean plant technique is 12 tubers per vine per hill/plot.

The impact of these initiatives was soon evident in the communities. The youths reported increased food security, and a renewed sense of pride in their ability to adapt and resilient to the harsh impacts of climate change, with secure food and water to sustain them through challenging times. The communities as a whole benefited from the improved access to fresh, nutritious food and the revitalization of agricultural traditions that had been endangered by years of environmental degradation.

The success of this initiative served as a beacon of hope for other communities facing similar challenges. It demonstrated that with the right knowledge and support, even the most vulnerable populations can build resilience to climate change and create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and future generations. The program inspired a wave of grassroots activism and innovation, sparking a movement towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Bougainville and beyond.

Plant growth in Tsinabula raised plots showing promising signs and performing exceptionally well in Nissan Island seen in the picture.

Seen in the picture are community mothers who were part of the training as well, showing off their produce after applying skills and techniques from the BYiA Training!