BIOREACH: Biodiversity Conservation and Agroecological Land Restoration in Productive Landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago To promote biodiversity conservation, restore degraded lands, and improve livelihoods of rural communities in targeted productive landscapes. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. The project is expected to result in positive social, economic and ecological changes which will yield further benefits to communities.  Social impacts  - Utilisation of lead farmers and the potential for the establishment of clusters will support social cohesion, strengthening of agricultural groups and communities  - Use of agroecologically produced foods with far less pesticides will yield a change in food habits, such as healthier diets, and possibly contribute to a decrease in the incidences of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes  - Creation of more opportunities in the targeted rural areas may decrease the rural-urban migration especially of younger persons  Economic  - Increased income: Multicropping (less dependence on monocrop), greater utilisation of natural fertilisers through composting and manure production, and development of green value chains can contribute to increased selling price for produce which is deemed to be healthy. Expanded marketing opportunities through ecotourism activities. In addition, mixed cropping systems may lead to a reduction in household expenditure on food and by extension may impact the national food import bill.  - Employment: Development of the value chains presents opportunities for employment. Mixed production ensures that farmers are employed as farmers throughout the year without having to seek employment elsewhere. There will be the creation of employment opportunities with the possibility of more persons entering the agriculture sector or expanding their involvement as farmers, processors, producers of bio fertilisers or pesticides, tour guides, hoteliers, restaurateurs, machinists, etc.  Ecological  - Reduced use of synthetic pesticides and improved agroforestry can result in presence of fauna such as birds which can be used as a tourist attraction in ecotourism (e.g., bird watching). Further birds may prey on pests resulting in more favourable harvests in some instances.  - Increased ground cover will lead to less erosion and decreased risk of flooding and associated negative impacts on communities.    Direct beneficiaries  While the project primarily seeks to support a sustainable environment, it also anticipates that persons in and around the targeted project areas will also be able to benefit. In addition, producers and others along the value chain of identified commodities can also be deemed to be beneficiaries of the project.  REF _Ref39748739 \h Table 14  08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000D0000005F00520065006600330039003700340038003700330039000000  below provides an estimate of some of the direct beneficiaries of the project.      Table  SEQ Table \* ARABIC 14: Estimated numbers of direct beneficiaries       Beneficiary   Number (estimated)        Trinidad   Tobago        Pineapple farmers   100          Moruga Hill Rice Association members and affiliates   125          Coconut farmers   305          Cocoa farmers   660   45       Santa Rosa First Peoples   30          Chocolate/value added processors   31   5       Farmers in targeted areas   1035[1]   121       Extension staff (exposure to training in order to support sustainability of project)   37   9       Forestry personnel (exposure to training in order to support sustainability of project)   16   12       Non-formalised communities (encroachment)   3000[2]          Total   5339   192        Other beneficiaries will include the wider population who may benefit from employment or opportunities to start or develop their small businesses in the ecotourism sector.  REF _Ref39749166 \h Table 15  08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000D0000005F00520065006600330039003700340039003100360036000000  provides an indication of the total population[3] of communities in the targeted areas.    Table  SEQ Table \* ARABIC 15: Estimated populations for targeted communities         Targeted sites   Surrounding communities   Total population        South and West of Nariva Swamp   Basseterre Biche Brickfield/Navet Brothers Road Canque Cushe/Navel Fifth Company Four Roads Tamana George Village Indian Walk La Lune Moruga Piparo Plum Mitan San Pedro   27 391       Sites adjacent or contiguous with Valencia Forest Reserve   Cunaripo Guaico Melajo Valencia   20 141        South of the Northern Range Reserve   Acono Blanchisseuse Brasso Seco Caura El Dorado La Baja La Laja La Mango Village La Seiva Maracas St. Joseph   23 321        Courland Watershed in Tobago   Arnos Vale Belmont Black Rock Concordia Easterfield Golden Lane Les Coteaux Mary's Hill Mason Hall Moriah Mt Irvine/Black Rock Plymouth Whim   12 294       Total      83 147                     [1] Estimate based on farmer population in area and/or farmer group association      [2] Based on estimated number of encroaching/illegal settlement homes in the Valencia Forest Reserve      [3] Central Statistical Office, 2011 Population and Housing Census Community Register, (Port of Spain: GORTT, 2011).