The climate is harsh and unpredictable; hot and dry with only 6 weeks of erratic rain in the year. This combined with a poor knowledge of sustainable or improved farming techniques; post harvest storage; the effects of agro-chemicals and limited access to markets make living from the land very precarious for the majority. CSRC aims to tackle these issues in 2009 by undertaking the following activities: • Establishing and running farmer field schools to train farmers in low environmental impact, sustainable agriculture and post harvest storage • Encouraging 100,000 farmers to improve their natural resource management, soil and water conservation • Reducing the health, environmental and financial costs of agro-chemicals by promoting organic alternatives, running a public education campaign and influencing government policy at a regional and national level • Strengthening a local farmers’ network, through training, adult literacy and resources, to pass on information, share successful farming methods and advice • Supporting growers in cooperative marketing and increasing market access to improve the price they get for their crops The total budget for the 3 year project is £165,000 and is broken down as follows: Programme costs for the sustainable agriculture component, campaign for natural resource management, agrochemical campaign (£60,000), salaries for the programme manager, 3 field officers and support staff (£53,500) and running costs for monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, capacity building, office admin, vehicles and communications (£51,500).