Sustainable Agriculture and Apiculture
Guinea (West Africa)
We are supporting our Swiss partner Nouvelle Planète to implement a sustainable agriculture and apiculture project in Maléya Labifou village, sub-prefecture of Kolenté, Kindia region, Guinea (West Africa), together with an organized group of women from the local community. The project will improve the village’s food security and income, while caring for the soil, forest and ecosystem.
United for the Soil, the Forest and Women’s Dignity
Context
In a subsistence economy, nature conservation issues may not be a top priority. Rural farmers are susceptible to the influence of unscrupulous pesticide and fertilizer dealers. Furthermore, the lack of adequate infrastructure, tools and capacitation represent a constraint to develop their activities, putting at risk their food sovereignty and income. Regarding honey-hunting, local residents usually resort to invasive practices. As a result, the hive, swarm and forest are harmed. Local communities are determined and resourceful. However, they are hindered by lack of financial resources. The resulting gradual discouragement fuels the rural exodus. The village of Maléya Labifou has 430 inhabitants, with their main activity being agriculture.
Impact
The development of agro-ecological practices adapted to the local context, coupled with adequate training, irrigation systems, storage and processing facilities, equipment, and access to land and empowerment of women, is the only ecologically and economically sustainable solution. As part of the transition towards eco-responsible beekeeping using traditional noninvasive tools, a reforestation activity will be carried out to restore the damaged ecosystem. Through the project the women gain capabilities and independence from their husbands. Consequently, they gain status and self-confidence, and are better equipped to take on roles of responsibility. The community will improve their living conditions by improving their food security and health, and by performing added value activities that generate more income year-round.
Partnership
We are supporting Nouvelle Planète to implement a transition towards sustainable agricultural and apicultural practices that take care of the soil and ecosystem, while supporting the living of the community. The key activities that will be developed with the engagement of the community include: a water irrigation system, perimeter development for safety and crop rotation, granting of seeds of local varieties, granting of tools and equipment, agricultural, beekeeping and organizational training, beehives installations, setting up a storage space, access to markets for sale of produce, fine-tuning sales strategies, and reforestation and biodiversity protection. This is a multistakeholder project of strategic importance in the region, where also a local NGO and the local government intervene. This is an opportunity for us to have an impact on the community while learning from a complex process and system.