Sanba Poverty Alleviation & Environmental Protection Project
Location: Sanba Town, Shangri-la County, Yunnan Province
No. of Recipients households: 200
No. of pass-on families: 200
Haba village of Sanba town is located at the center of the Three Parallel Rivers Area (Jinsha River Watershed). The altitude of the village varies from 2,000 meters to 2,500 meters (6562 feet to 8202 feet). The annual average temperature is 13℃. Haba village is populated by 9 nationalities, including Naxi, Han, Hui, Yi, Lisu, and others. There are 4,560 mu (750 acres) of arable land in Haba village and the main crops are corn, wheat, potato, highland barley and horse bean. In 2005, farmers' average income was RMB 1,190 (US$150) per capita and 91% of farmers received their income from raising and selling livestock. Farmers in the village lack the skills of raising livestock and most livestock the farmers raise are low-quality. Because local farmers have the habit of grazing livestock, the period of raising livestock is very long, the cost is very high and the final income is very low. Furthermore, the local farmers don't know how to make good use of natural resources.
This project will provide pigs, goats or cattle to 200 poor households in Shangrila County of Yunnan Province. Project farmers will form self-help groups, receive training about Heifer's values-based holistic community development model, and participate in project monitoring and evaluation. In addition, participants will receive training in animal management and environmental conservation. Farmers will consequently increase their income and improve their nutrition. Another 200 families will benefit from "passing on the gift."