A Sample Grant Proposal on “Restoring Degraded Land for Global Food Security”

Executive Summary

Land degradation threatens the livelihoods of over 3 billion people globally and reduces agricultural productivity, directly impacting food security. This project aims to restore degraded lands through sustainable land management, agroforestry, and soil rehabilitation practices. By engaging local farmers, communities, and policymakers, the initiative will promote ecosystem restoration, improve soil fertility, and enhance food production. Over a period of three years, the project targets to rehabilitate 10,000 hectares of degraded land in selected regions of Asia and Africa, improving resilience and livelihoods for rural communities.

 Background and Problem Statement

The world is losing fertile soil at an alarming rate due to deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable farming, and climate change. According to the UNCCD, around 24 billion tons of fertile soil are lost annually. Land degradation contributes to reduced crop yields, poverty, and hunger, especially in developing countries dependent on agriculture.
Restoring degraded lands is essential to ensure long-term food security and to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 15: Life on Land). Without urgent intervention, millions could face food shortages and economic instability due to declining agricultural productivity.

 Goal and Objectives

General Goal

To restore degraded lands and improve global food security through sustainable land restoration and management practices.

Specific Objectives

1. To rehabilitate 10,000 hectares of degraded agricultural land using sustainable land management techniques.
2. To train 5,000 local farmers and community members in soil restoration, agroforestry, and water conservation methods.
3. To establish community-based monitoring systems to ensure long-term maintenance of restored land.
4. To strengthen partnerships between governments, NGOs, and private sectors for sustainable land restoration initiatives.

 Target Population

The project will primarily benefit communities dependent on agriculture in degraded areas.

• Group 1: Smallholder Farmers
  • Farmers with limited access to resources and declining productivity due to land degradation.
  • Approximately 3,500 farmers to be directly trained and supported.
• Group 2: Rural Women and Youth
  • Women involved in agriculture and natural resource management.
  • Youth groups engaged in land restoration and agribusiness activities.
• Group 3: Local Institutions and Policymakers
  • Local governments, agricultural officers, and extension workers who will implement sustainable land management policies.
• Key Activities
• Activity 1: Land Rehabilitation and Soil Restoration
  • Implement reforestation and agroforestry on degraded lands.
  • Introduce organic composting, cover crops, and contour farming to prevent erosion.
• Activity 2: Capacity Building and Farmer Training
  • Conduct workshops on sustainable land management, water harvesting, and soil fertility improvement.
  • Establish demonstration plots showcasing best practices.
• Activity 3: Community-Based Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Develop local committees to monitor land recovery.
  • Use GIS tools and mobile applications to track land health indicators.
• Activity 4: Policy Advocacy and Partnerships
  • Collaborate with local authorities to integrate restoration practices into regional development plans.
  • Partner with NGOs, research institutions, and private organizations for funding and technical expertise.
• Implementation Strategy
  • The project will adopt a participatory, community-driven approach. A project management unit (PMU) will coordinate activities in partnership with local agricultural departments.
  • Phase 1 (Months 1–6): Baseline survey, site selection, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Phase 2 (Months 7–24): Implementation of restoration and training activities.
  • Phase 3 (Months 25–36): Monitoring, scaling up successful practices, and policy integration.
    Gender equality and inclusiveness will be mainstreamed across all project components.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Monitoring will ensure accountability, progress tracking, and learning.
• Key Indicators: Area of land restored, crop yield improvement, number of people trained, and carbon sequestration levels.
• Tools: Remote sensing, field surveys, and participatory monitoring.
• Evaluation: Mid-term and final evaluations will assess impact, effectiveness, and sustainability.
•  Budget Estimate
• Total Estimated Budget: USD 2.5 million

• Component	Estimated Cost (USD)
  Land Rehabilitation and Materials	XXXXXX
  Training and Capacity Building	XXXXXX
  Monitoring and Evaluation	XXXXXX
  Personnel and Project Management	XXXXXX
  Policy and Partnerships	XXXXXX
  Logistics and Contingencies	XXXXXX
  Total	XXXXXXX

• Required Resources
  • Technical experts (agronomists, soil scientists, GIS specialists)
  • Training materials, seedlings, fertilizers, and compost units
  • Monitoring equipment (drones, GPS, mobile data tools)
  • Transportation, workshops, and community mobilization support
•  Expected Outcomes
  • 10,000 hectares of degraded land restored and made productive.
  • Increased crop yields by 30–40% in target areas.
  • Enhanced soil fertility and biodiversity.
  • Improved livelihoods and income for over 5,000 households.
  • Strengthened institutional capacity for sustainable land management.
• Conclusion
• Restoring degraded land is a crucial step toward global food security and environmental resilience. This project offers a practical, scalable model for sustainable land restoration that benefits people, nature, and the economy. With strong collaboration, local empowerment, and evidence-based practices, this initiative can transform degraded landscapes into productive ecosystems—securing food for future generations.