For several years, the NGO ENDA Tiers Monde has been engaged, through its “Protection Naturelle” programme, in activities promoting healthy and sustainable agriculture. To achieve this objective, ENDA works with farmers’ organisations and a network of 12 schools on environmental education issues.
The “Promoting agro-ecological techniques in the face of climate change” project is located within ENDA’s experimental zones, namely the rural community (CR) of Guédé Village, 200 km from Saint-Louis, and the neighbouring rural communities of Diender and Keur Moussa, around 50-60 km from Dakar. These areas, commonly known as the Niayes, form one of Senegal’s major market gardening regions.
With rising fuel costs, local populations face growing difficulties in managing water pumping and irrigation systems. Lacking sufficient control over irrigation costs and methods, populations face, on the one hand, serious crop profitability problems and, on the other, soil erosion caused by inappropriate watering methods and farming techniques.
This project aims to promote alternative farming techniques, based on the rational use of water, the use of renewable energy, and respect for natural resources. The objective is to improve both environmental conditions and agricultural yields. The project therefore aims to trial the use of renewable energy for water pumping and to help promote the local manufacturing of wind turbines.