PARTICIPATORY AGROFLORESTY Ecolife Benin

 Kampmann (2010) reported that Benin lost 298,000 ha of forest from 1990 to 1995, on average 60,000 ha of forest per year. Projections predict that the forest area which fell from 1.63 ha / inhabitant in 1980 to 0.87 ha in 1995 will fall to 0.29 ha by 2025, if current trends are maintained (Schmidt-Soltau & Alimi, 2008). Benin's agriculture is far from being efficient, due to unsustainable farming practices. In this situation, the alternative production system which can reconcile agriculture and environment sustainably is agroforestry. In this project, it will be a question of listening to the stakeholders of the agricultural and forestry sector for the consultation, the adoption and the experimentation of an inclusive sustainable approach. Thus the study will focus on sustainable agroforestry systems (cultivated fallow, food crop association). It will permit to valorize endogenous knowledge in agroforestry practices and adapt them to the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Benin population growth follows the global trend with a very worrying urbanization rate (44% in 2015). According to the fourth General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH4), the Beninese population increased from 6,769,914 inhabitants in 2002 to 11,400,749 in 2018, representing an annual growth rate of 3.5%. One of the consequences of urbanization is the uncontrolled use of land and forest resources (Fleury and Donadieu, 1997). 

Furthermore, according to FAO (2002), 60% of deforestation in the tropics is due to slash-and-burn agriculture directly releasing 40 to 50% of total carbon leading to climate worming. In addition, the use of mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides seriously affects soil fertility and the balance of the ecosystem (Dansi et al., 2003). Bantè (Benin district) is explained by the fact that it is one of the poorest in Benin. It is the greatest cashew production municipality in Benin where land and forest pressure is very high with fearful and increased decline in soil fertility. Natural resources are threatened by the use of chemicals in agriculture and wildfires. Deflorestation, misuse of chemicals, dependence on cashew culture, poverty, lack of training are some of the problems we intend to solve.

Ecolife will start with the Benin government agricultural development offices  present in the Bantè’s district. Work sessions to prepare awareness campaigns will be held within the project team. Theis awareness will be done through a training workshop with the agricultural stakeholders, community radio communication, social networks, posters, etc. Other participatory sessions will be conducted proposals for an agroforestry model with stakeholders. Demonstration fields will then be installed and the results which will result from them will make it possible to popularize and apply the model across throughout Benin through another project. With this achievement, we think that:

60% Actors in the agricultural sector are made aware of the impact of current agricultural practices on natural resources and the future of our species; 80 Producers are trained through demonstration fields; 150 kg of food are provided per week to the primary school in the region; Development of a producer association; The socio-economic conditions of the actors have improved; The productions and productivities are increased; Reduced dependence on cashew production; 1200 Trees planted and a well drilled Positive impact on poverty reduction in the municipality.

The impact of the project will be measured at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years.

The direct beneficiaries of this project are the producers of the municipality of Bantè. The choice for Bantè is explained by the fact that it is one of the poorest in Benin. It is the greatest cashew production municipality  where land and forest pressure is very high with fearful and increased decline in soil fertility. Natural resources are threatened by the use of chemicals in agriculture and wildfires. As for indirect beneficiaries, we have consumers who will have a healthy diet, other producers in the rest of Benin who will have the technologies developed, multiple jobs generated and our future more certain. This project aims to contribute to proposing an agricultural model favorable to the preservation of natural resources. Specifically, it will be a question of carrying out the following actions: Conducting work sessions and proposals for an agroforestry model with stakeholders;  Experimenting the technologies developed through farm field school; Re-buy their produce from agriculture to allow it to have the guarantee of sale and motivation to join the project. Make available to Banté primary school 50% of its production for feeding children that due to the lack of school canteens and the desire to improve nutritional nutrition for children.

Projections predict that the forest area in Benin which fell from 1.63 ha / inhabitant in 1980 to 0.87 ha in 1995 will fall to 0.29 ha by 2025, if current trends are maintained (Schmidt-Soltau & Alimi, 2008).

Benin's agriculture is far from being efficient, due to unsustainable farming practices.

Ecolife bets on the use of PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE AGROFORESTRY TECHNOLOGIES to help a poplulation to give more value to the environment using healthy, cheap and durable agriculture, Being able to produce and consume low carbon, resilient and nutritious food.

Our solution brings an innovation because it intends to go to the population and integrate the population in the elaboration of the guidelines. In Benin, NGOs or companies are presenting ready-made recipes, harvest ideals or endogenous practices, or proposing training in centers for technicians and not directly to producers in their fields.

In Benin, there is a favorable environment, with biotic and abiotic conditions for the most diverse land uses, from intensive management to a more ecological approach. Agroforestry is a way to minimize the environmental impact on agricultural production, contributing to the sustainable use of natural resources. The characteristic of the agroforestry system is the integrated management of natural forests, which brings several advantages with the preservation of the soil and helps in the conservation of flora and fauna, in addition to contributing to the fertility of this environment.

My solution is based on the realization of experimental agroforestry fields in the poorest districts of Benin, in the districts where we find the strongest uses of chemical fertilizers, forest fires and, especially, in areas where we are highly dependent on cashew or cotton producers. The fields help to visualize the reality of ecological agriculture in all its forms. With the completion of the experimental fields, it will be much easier to convince farmers in the region to adhere to this healthy way of farming.

We plan to collect endogenous knowledge and proposals for an agroforestry model with stakeholders. This is the great feature of our projects, involving local knowledge with the technologies available in the field to offer an ideal agroforestry system.

Sustainable development implies achieving the greatest benefit from the physical, biological and cultural resources of a locality, within a strategy to increase local and national self-sufficiency. Development must still be adjusted to the history and culture of the local community, as it has already been achieved as basic requirements of the population, other improvements in the quality of life that depend on more subjective statistics than (Golley, 1983). I was lucky to participate in a trilateral project in (Brazil, Mozambique, Germany), where it is possible to see the reality of this project in Brazil. The Brazilian research institute EMBRAPA talks extensively about technology and uses the results obtained in Brazil or enough to obtain a great result in benin. We can save Benin's agriculture, population and environment.

Benin's agriculture is far from efficient, due to unsustainable agricultural practices. Projections predict that the forest area that fell from 1.63 ha / inhabitant in 1980 to 0.87 ha in 1995 will fall to 0.29 ha in 2025, if current trends are maintained (Schmidt-Soltau & Alimi, 2008).

The Beninese agricultural sector suffers from a lack of agricultural advice and a scarcity of means of production, such as fertilizers, credits and capacity. Administrative structures are not very efficient. In general, women are almost involved in economic value creation processes and are underrepresented in decision-making positions.

this unites producers to realize a less aggressive agricultural model together will undoubtedly have a positive impact.

We note that the approaches in Benin, based exclusively on the popularization or the types of imports of agroforestry models, were not successful. The Beninese farmer is curious, suspicious and likes to believe. Only with experimental fields and making them paraticitarize that we can convince them.

Currently, my solution is practically useless, because it is very embryonic, but the goal is to reach 80 producers in the first year and reach 1500 producers in 5 years.

its intends to directly impact the lives of 10,000 people

Results and impacts

In the first year in Bantè District

60% Agricultural sector actors are informed of the impact of current agricultural practices on the natural resources and the future of our species
80 producers are trained through demonstration fields
150 kg of food is provided per week to the primary school in the region
Development of a producer association
1200 trees planted and a well drilled
Positive impact on poverty reduction in the municipality

Transmitting a study report to the Technical and Financial Partner (PTF) of the project then popularize the technologies developed

The following years in Benin 

• Development of a producer association
• The socio-economic conditions of the actors have improved
• The productions and productivities are increased
• Reduced dependence on cashew production
• 8000 Trees planted and a well drilled
• Positive impact on poverty reduction in the municipality
• Organizing a technical document validation workshop
• Experimenting the technologies developed through farm field school
• Periodically measuring the impact of the project
• Transmitting a study report to the Technical and Financial Partner (PTF) of the project then popularize the technologies developed

We hope to have good results and export our technology to neighboring countries, grow as a healthy and durable company. Be a great partner of Benin in the development of its agriculture.

Our great barrier is financial. we have the will and professional ability but without capital it is very difficult to put this into practice. We also need some tougher laws to ban fires and illegal logging. Project sabotage by companies that exploit timber in the region.

Non-acceptance of SAFs: having the participation of rural producers in the process of preparing SAFs, and observing the ability of producers to cultivate the selected species;
Difficulties in transporting production: carry out a study of the transport conditions of agricultural products on the side roads, from the properties to the place of sale;

To overcome barriers, we intend to raise funds, seek financial and government support. Empower our team to be able to meet the challenges.

O que outras pessoas estão dizendo

5 fixed workers and dozens will be hired

Names

Qualification

Project Leaders

ALLAGBE Kingnidé Aurel

Agricultural Engineer, Soil Fertility - mineral
nutrition of plants

AKPOFFO Abimibola Y. Marius

Agronomy, Plant Production

Collaborators

ZOUNON Melissa

logistician

AIGBA Renaud

Agro-Nutricionist

DAMBABA Moubariq

Manager and communicator

I have carried out many academic and professional works which have allowed me to familiarize myself with the world of research (especially in various types of rural environment) in Brazil, Benin, Togo and Mozambique. I got involved a lot in extension projects related to soil fertility, horticulture, nutrition and especially rural development. 

My team is fully trained and knows how to lead the countryside. Being composed of agronomists and communicators who have been working in the rural world for over 5 years, we have all the knowledge to implement the solution.

Somos filiados com a ONG Agri Expert, e estão atualmente em comunicação com o centro de pesquisa agrícola em Benin.

As a former student at the Federal University of Alagoas in Brazil, we are collaborating with the soil fertility laboratory to have technical support.

The direct beneficiaries of this project are producers in the municipality of Bantè. Bantè's choice is explained by the fact that he is one of the poorest in Benin. It is the largest cashew-producing municipality in Benin, where the pressure on land and forest is very high, with fear and an increasing decline in soil fertility. Natural resources are threatened by the use of chemicals in agriculture and forest fires. As for indirect beneficiaries, we have consumers who will have a healthy diet, other producers in the rest of Benin who will have the technologies developed, various jobs created and our future more certain.

With our service, we aim to have a positive impact, as we will facilitate land limitations, minimize the risks of degradation inherent in agricultural activity and optimize productivity. it can also be used to restore forests and recover degraded areas.

We believe that the agroforestry system is the collective name of land use systems and technologies, in which perennial woody plants (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboo, etc.) are deliberately used in the same agricultural and / or animal management unit, both in the form of special arrangements or temporal sequences.

Our experimental fields and our awareness of the importance of participatory agroforestry will be a great initiative for producers in Benin.

Projections predict that the forest area that fell from 1.63 ha / inhabitant in 1980 to 0.87 ha in 1995 will fall to 0.29 ha in 2025. Benin's agriculture is far from efficient, due to unsustainable agricultural practices. These are problems that my team intends to help solve, and we are absolutely sure that we are in the right place. This platform will show the world the pain we carry in our hearts.

We have a plan, we have our bases with achievements in Brazil, but any kind of support for the perfect realization of our project is welcome. Mainly in execution and monitoring.

Without specifying, we will say that anyone who comes into contact with this project and is sensitive to help with their technical and financial capabilities will make a big difference.

In the rural area of Benin, women are at the heart of activities, with the project aiming to diversify production, this will bring great support to the family's food security, will bring extra income, food available for consumption, and will also bring good be moral and mental for these.