1. The DESIRE Approach and Dissemination
Strategy: Botswana Site Perspectives and
Experiences
Atlhopheng, J.A, R. Chanda, K. Mulale

2. Structure of the presentation
 Description of study site
 Summary of the DESIRE Approach
 Stakeholder mobilization
 Stakeholder engagement
 Workshops
 Field visits
 Technology selection
 Information dissemination

3. Boteti Study Site - Botswana

4. Description of Study Site
 Semi-arid climate - subsistence agro-
pastoralism
 Droughts are endemic - with an estimated
recurrence interval of 10-18 years
 The area is recognized as a hotspot of land
degradation driven by overgrazing and dry
season wind erosion
 The Boteti River has been dry for over
25years, and has negatively affected
livelihoods in the area

5. DESIRE APPROACH
Multi-disciplinary . Triangulation
(Expert,
Multiple Stakeholders . Local knowledge,
field
 Researchers (academics) experience)
 Decision makers . Joint problem
 Land users . Pilot Project
(knowledge
 Local authority in action
Participatory Action . Joint Monitoring
Research . Adaptive learning
Ownership of

6. Stakeholder Mobilization
 Project area visit (researchers)
 Sub-district office - decision makers
 Kgotla (Chief’s office) – local authority
 Village Development Committee – land users
 Pre-workshop as icebreaker – held at
community hall (considered neutral venue)
 DESIRE Project brief
 Relevant stakeholders identified

7. Stakeholder engagement
Workshops

8. Stakeholder engagement

9. Stakeholder engagement

10. Stakeholder engagement

11. Stakeholder engagement

12. Stakeholder engagement
Field visits

13. Technologies
 Stakeholders suggested four possible projects
for piloting
 Community Game Ranching
 Rainwater harvesting
 Biogas Plant
 Solar Cookers

14. Information collected by experts – Game
Ranching
Browser and Grazer

15. Information collected by experts – Rain water
harvesting

16. Information collected by experts - Biogas

17. Information collected by experts – Solar
Cooker

18. Participatory evaluation of the suggested
projects

19. Participatory evaluation of the suggested
projects

20. Participatory evaluation of the suggested
projects

21. Dung & woody biomass survey

22. Information dissemination
 Harmonized Information System (HIS) on the
DESIRE website (http://www.desire-project.eu)
NB Boteti land users cannot access the
information for
lack of Internet facilities and low literacy rates.
HIS Newsletters translated into vernacular
language

23. Vernacular photo-filled posters

24. Video
The video has been used to communicate
community views to the UNCCD Focal Point and
other external stakeholder within Botswana, and
is posted on the DESIRE website
(http://www.desire-his.eu) for the global audience