Sustainable Agriculture in Senegal and West Africa
Project Description:
This pilot project aims to boost the sustainable agriculture sector in Senegal and West Africa by improving the productivity of the cultivation of fonio (Digitaria exilis). Currently the world production of fonio is very low, being estimated to be only 300,000 tons annually mainly in West Africa. To meet this challenge, this pilot project is being carried out in Kolda (in the south of Senegal) where fonio cultivation has been practiced for generations but has undergone a decline in recent years. The pilot project aims to develop local entrepreneurship amongst women producers and processors and will help to enhance the fonio value chain. In this way the fonio sector is playing an increasingly important role in food security through a research and development program that improves the qualities of seeds, all stages of fonio production and processing, and the development of suitable technologies to modernize production equipment. The project mobilizes local traditional knowledge and practices, research results, successful initiatives in the countries of the region and lays the foundation for new international technical and academic partnerships.
Objectives:
This pilot project aims to boost the sustainable agriculture sector in Senegal and West Africa by improving the productivity of the cultivation of fonio (Digitaria exilis).
- Boost fonio’s production in Kolda by using the best plant material and applying the best cultural practices to the targeted regions.
- Boost fonio’s transformation and commercialization by using adequate and effective equipment.
- Boost fonio’s production throughout the West African region.
Outcomes:
- The map of the fonio value chain actors is realized for Kolda.
- The BPP of fonio is updated through a participative and inclusive approach.
- Fonio production is significantly increased through development aspects (enough seeds production, best cultural practices, enough and adequate cultivation machines)
- Ensure that fonio products are of high quality and are readily available (enough and adequate transformation machines).
- The farmers and women groups and associations are trained to meet the best practices and are equipped with the correct skills to operate the machinery.
- The genetic improved lines are obtained for a sustainable increase of fonio production.
Thematic Priorities:
- Education.
- Climate, green economy and sustainability.
- Grassroots engagement.
- Women and youth empowerment.
- Transformation.
- Commercialization.
Networking:
In order to meet its objectives, the Sustainable Agriculture Pilot Project aims to mobilize local traditional knowledge and practices, research results, successful initiatives in the countries of the region and collaborate with international organizations and respected academics in the field to form crucial partnerships.
Geographical Focus:
Kolda, a region in the south of Senegal, will be a region that will be specifically focused on. This is due to the fact that the cultivation of fonio has been practiced for generations in this region, but has undergone a decline in recent years. It will then be of significant importance to improve the fonio production in Kolda. Kolda will act as a pilot zone which will represent the desired model for the rest of Senegal and the West African zone in its entirety.
Audience:
A participatory and inclusive approach including women and youth actors will be utilized to ensure the expected results are achieved. In each village, some farmers will be targeted for undertaking some farmer’s school fields within which the different (traditional and modern) cultural practices will be demonstrated and discussed including cultivation machines (sowing, weeding, harvesting).