As part of the « Programme d’actions structurées des acteurs de la lutte contre la désertification » (PASS-LCD) project, a regional exchange and experience-sharing meeting on agroecological intensification took place from September 11 to 13, 2024 at Ndangane in the Fatick region of Senegal.
PASS-LCD partners, as well as several platforms and collectives working for sustainable land management and the promotion of agroecology in the Sahel, were brought together to foster inter-knowledge and the sharing of experiences around 2 main themes: Support for the agroecological transition of territories & Organizational modes and advocacy approaches.
Faced with environmental challenges (droughts, extreme rainfall variability, soil erosion, etc.), agricultural production and sustainable food supply in the Sahel, the principles of agroecology appear to be relevant for supporting the transformation of production systems. This observation is gaining ground in recent scientific research, in feedback from development players, and in the discourse and orientations of certain decision-makers.
In the field, numerous civil society organizations (CSOs) are taking action to support the agroecological transition of family farms and local areas. Some Sahelian CSOs, such as DyTAES in Senegal, CCAE in Burkina Faso, Raya Karkara in Niger, AOPP and CNOP in Mali, have joined forces to promote and integrate agroecology into development policies and programs.
During the meeting, PASS-LCD project partners and CSOs representing collectives involved in agroecology were brought together to share expertise and lessons learned, with the aim of strengthening skills and encouraging synergies of action. Organizational methods, advocacy approaches and political advances achieved by the collectives were also shared and deciphered collectively.
Participants also went out into the field to meet farmers who had implemented practices promoting sustainable management of land and natural resources, and other local players (local elected representatives, technical services, local associations) involved in the development of agroecology, so that they could get direct feedback and draw lessons from their professional experience.
