Issa Diop, a woman farmer from Ndiob
Municipality of Ndiob
Kiosks which promote traditional local food
Enda Pronat
Ndiob became the first city in Senegal to embark on an agroecological transition. Designed in a large community consultation, citizens from Ndiob formulated their Agriculture Development Programme, which includes five priorities: food security, management of natural resources, soil fertility, livestock breeding and farming, and agriculture. As a result, the city now invests a notable 23 per cent of its total budget to achieve an agroecological transition and undertakes a remarkable series of appropriate and adequate measures to sustainably manage its natural resources and to achieve food security. With their community-based multi-stakeholder territorial approach, Ndiob’s political strategies were recognized with an Honourable Mention of the Future Policy Award 2018, awarded by the World Future Council in partnership with FAO and IFOAM – Organics International.
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Contexto
Défis à relever
Ndiob is a rural community, with an official estimated population of approx. 20,000 in 2018, with a surface of 127 km2, approx. 160 km east of Dakar, Senegal. Ndiob’s population is mainly composed of the ethnic group of the Serers, which is the third largest ethnic group in Senegal making up 15 % of the Senegalese population. About 50 years ago, the town of Ndiob was self-sufficient for food supply. Harvests were abundant and the fauna and flora of remarkable richness. Fruits and milk were not marketed at that time. Due to considerable deterioration of the socio-economic situation, nowadays things have turned negatively. However, thanks to Senegal’s ongoing decentralization processes, the municipality has now more autonomy for land and natural resources management, which, if managed wisely, can provide food security and economic prosperity.
Beneficiaries
Ndiob is a rural community, with an official estimated population of approx. 20,000 in 2018. Main beneficiaries are farming families, youth and women.
Ubicación
Ndiob, Fatick, Senegal
West and Central Africa
Procesar
Summary of the process
First of all, Ndiob started by Developing a vision and a programme (BB1), then it designed on the basis of that vision its Ndiob’s Agriculture Development Programme (BB2). The developed programme guides Implementation in Ndiob (BB3) and serves as Transferable Model for the city network REVES and beyond (BB4).
Building Blocks
Developing a vision and a programme
Ndiob is the first municipality that launched the territorial approach to rural development in Senegal. In June 2014, a new municipal council had been installed, which formally defined and adopted its vision “to make Ndiob a green municipality, resilient through a process of economic and social development and welfare, inclusive and respectful for human rights, in particular towards vulnerable communities.” This orientation had been already defined by the municipal members during the election campaign and had then been also endorsed by the Green Party of Senegal.
To implement its vision, the municipality – led by a very engaged Mayor – was supported by the NGO ENDA PRONAT that is promoting agroecology in West Africa. ENDA PRONAT conducted a participatory analysis of community needs involving more than 1,000 local people and actors (50 percent were women). It carried out an evaluation of production systems and developed an Agricultural Development Programme, which was understood and accepted by the local community.
Enabling factors
In response to the major problem of environmental degradation as a result of outdated cultivation methods and climate change (i.e. disappearance of pools, forests, pastures, decline of soil fertility, etc.), local people demanded better natural resources management and capacity-building to support the agroecological transition. In July 2017, the results of this analysis and the Agricultural Development Programme were presented to the whole community.
Lesson learned
When presenting the Agricultural Development Programme to the whole community about 400 persons from all 18 villages of Ndiob participated. It was also very important that further partners such as the FAO, World Vision, National Agency for Agricultural and Rural Council (ANCAR) and University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (UCAD), who pledged to support certain aspects of this initiative, came to express their views. As well, supporters and friends of Ndiob formed the network CAPCOMMUN.
Moreover, to support the vision and programme the Network of Green Municipalities and Cities of Senegal (REVES) was founded, which is currently presided by the Mayor of Ndiob, Mr Oumar Bâ. This network boosts support and serves as a platform for exchange on implementation challenges. Thanks to REVES, some 30 mayors adopted a Charter of Green Municipalities and Cities of Senegal with which they committed “to design and implement local environmental development plans and to devote at least 2 % of our budgets to environmental education and environmental projects”.
Implementation in Ndiob
Responsible for the policies are the Mayor and Municipal Council of Ndiob, with input from the local communities. The policies are implemented through the municipality, with support of strategic partners such as ENDA PRONAT, and in cooperation with the Collective of Friends and Partners of the Community of Ndiob (CAPCOMMUN).
To implement its vision, the Ndiob Municipal Council has set itself a certain number of objectives both in terms of self-sufficiency in certified seed and production for sale of cereals and peanuts seeds which are the main cash crop of the municipality. Ndiob’s minimum goal is to produce the village’s annual consumption of 3,650 tonnes of millet and to plant peanuts on 2,500 ha to be sold as certified seeds on markets and thereby create cash revenues. It selected 84 seed breeders, each one planting one hectare for breeding stock. Each of these producers has received from Ndiob municipality and from CAPCOMMUN partners seeds and reinforcements in technical capacities.
Enabling factors
Support from the Collective of Friends and Partners of the Community of Ndiob (CAPCOMMUN) is critical. CAPCOMMUN shares the vision of the municipality and serves as a forum for consultation, exchange and multi-stakeholder action. Among the partners are Institut de Recherche Agricole (ISRA), Agence National de Conseil Agricole (ANCAR), Service Régional de l’agriculture, ENDA PRONAT, CLUSA, WORLD VISION, Coopérative des Agriculteurs (set up by Ndiob), University of Cheikh Anta Diop.
Lesson learned
In terms of its objectives to achieve self-sufficiency in certified seeds and production of millet and peanuts, Ndiob worked extensively with its CAPCOMMUN partners. Regarding millet, Ndiob achieved 2018 self-sufficiency in certified seeds (about 10 tonnes). It is already planting 300 ha of millet using ecological agriculture this year, with an estimated production of 450 tonnes, ensuring food self-sufficiency for 300 families. In terms of peanuts, the collected 84 tonnes of seeds will be used on 560 ha. By 2020, Ndiob plans to achieve self-sufficiency in certified peanut seeds (375 tonnes per year). Each of the farmers has earned more than EUR 530 of income each in just one season. Moreover, Ndiob’s multifunctional farmers’ cooperative has been approved as a seed producer by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ndiob’s Agriculture Development Programme
The community of Ndiob consists of 18 villages that were formed into 5 village groups of a certain area, which focused on one of the five collectively defined themes. The Agriculture Development Programme includes hence five themes:
- Agriculture, including infrastructure and agricultural equipment, seeds stocks, intensification and diversification of agroecology;
- Livestock breeding and farming, including cattle breeding, poultry food production for livestock;
- Soil fertility, including anti-erosion measures; desalination, composting;
- Management of natural resources, including improving the state of the valley and ponds, restoration of soil coverage, strengthening of local governance;
- Food security, including construction of processing and storage facilities for agricultural produce, improving nutrition projects, local bank for savings and micro-credits to support local agriculture, livestock and poultry breeding as well as the use of the ponds.
Enabling factors
It was critical that Ndiob’s local Agricultural Development Programme of 2017 was designed in a particularly inclusive way and the people were involved in all phases of the programme, from the diagnosis/analysis to implementation. Main support came from the NGO ENDA PRONAT, that for a long time advocates for agroecology in West Africa, with other organizations and entities interested in support Ndiob's vision and work.
Lesson learned
In 2018, two villages – Thiallé and Soumnane – of Ndiob decided to adopt agroecology as a way of life in different areas. They will be pilot villages and accompanied by the municipality and its partners such as FAO, INP and Elephant Vert. The aim is to build on the results and gained experiences of these two villages to further multiply activities to other villages of the municipality.
Potential as a Transferable Model & REVES
Ndiob’s achievements inspire others to follow its example. In particular, Ndiob’s Mayor is chairing the Network of Green Municipalities and Cities of Senegal (REVES): Some 30 mayors attended its first constitutive meeting held in Ndiob in January 2017, where they adopted a Charter of Green Municipalities and Cities of Senegal. Subsequently, REVES has developed an action plan (Declaration of Mékhé) that resulted in: 1. Capacity-building activities for mayors on agroecology and biosecurity (GMOs), e.g. two workshops were organised in 2017 with the technical support of ENDA PRONAT in the communities of Mékhé and Dramé Escale, and 2. Implementation of the agro-ecological vision of rural development in a few pilot municipalities, including that of the Mayor of Ndiob (Thiallé and Soumnane). Ndiob inspired other communities to join REVES which has become a platform for exchange of experience and methods.
Enabling factors
REVES is a partner of the NGO ENDA PRONAT, which lends vital support, expertise and advice. Today, Ndiob municipality is networking and exchanging experiences and methods with 40 other cities and green and ecological communities in Senegal who joined of REVES inspired by Ndiob work.
Lesson learned
Thanks to networking and setting common goals, agroecology is also better presented to stakeholders in Dakar. In 2018, the REVES co-organized with ENDA PRONAT, the National Federation of Organic Agriculture (FENAB) and the UCAD the 2nd edition of the Agroecology Days in February 2018 at the Place du Souvenir Africain in Dakar. These days were closed by the “Night of Agroecology” at the Daniel Sorano Theater, with a live broadcast of the debates at 2STV, sponsored by the Minister of Livestock and Animal Production Aminata Mbengue Ndiaye and attended by more than 1,500 people (parliamentarians, members of the Economic and Social Economic Council, researchers, civil society organizations, farmers’ organisations). In an interview the Minister of Agriculture confirmed the Government’s interest in promoting agroecology, an essential lever for sustainable development of the sector from a safety perspective.
Impacts
In 2017-2018, Ndiob’s budget for agroecology and sustainable development is EUR 42,000. This corresponds to 23 per cent of Ndiob’s total budget, a massive investment compared to the 2 per cent recommended by the REVES Charter agreed in 2017. Among the most costly measures are: EUR 1,830 to support seed production; EUR 1,200 invested in the training of 600 producers in agroecological practices; EUR 3,050 to build the capacity of farmers on agroecological practices; EUR 9,150 to distribute 200 ewes to poor households to promote the breeding of small ruminants; EUR 7,620 into the establishment of a credit fund financing agricultural and processing projects for young people and women; EUR 1,600 for the distribution of 23 millet mills; EUR 10,600 for connecting 300 households to water supply; and EUR 3,800 to help establish a water desalination unit. In terms of its objectives to achieve self-sufficiency in certified seeds and production of millet and peanuts, Ndiob worked extensively with its CAPCOMMUN partners. Regarding millet, Ndiob achieved 2018 self-sufficiency in certified seeds (about 10 tonnes). It is already planting 300 ha of millet using ecological agriculture this year, with an estimated production of 450 tonnes, ensuring food self-sufficiency for 300 families. In terms of peanuts, the collected 84 tonnes of seeds will be used on 560 ha.
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 1 – No poverty
SDG 2 – Zero hunger
SDG 3 – Good health and well-being
SDG 5 – Gender equality
SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation
SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
SDG 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities
SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
SDG 13 – Climate action
SDG 15 – Life on land
Story
My name is Issa Diop, I am 46 years old and I live in the village of Darou Salam in the municipality of Ndiob. My husband is a farmer and has benefited from the support of the municipality of Ndiob for improved agricultural yield in millet production, nutritional empowerment through crop diversification, processing of local products and the popularization of millet-based dishes.
Here we do not produce rice, which is the staple food of Senegalese people in general and Ndiob in particular. The soil in our fields was completely exhausted and the yield was very low, more and more expensive fertilisers were needed and our production did not allow us enough millet to cover our annual need.
Then my husband had attended a meeting where the municipality was looking for volunteer farmers to experiment with another form of agriculture that can help restore soil fertility and improve yields. We did not hesitate to join this programme, and really had nothing to lose. So we took the chance with 100 others. We did not regret our choice.
We received a lot of training, for example, on how to make compost from animal waste. The results were impressive. The yield has doubled and today we are above a ton per hectare. We can now provide all the grain needs of our small family.
We have also received training in Ndiob on the processing of cereals and local products. Since I was one of the best, I was chosen with two other women to further the training and become trainers ourselves. Currently I am able to train other women in the processing of local products and in the preparation of local millet dishes as a substitute for imported rice. Recently the municipality sent me a trainee from Ndiob, whom I trained.
Thanks to the commune I now have a kiosk where I only sell local products made from millet. This is another source of income and people appreciate my dishes. The greatest satisfaction I have is that our family is becoming more and more self-sufficient in terms of food. Through the diversification of the cultures, we have the essentials of the basic products necessary for our food. We have learned to transform them properly to make them into popular, nutritional dishes.
We are very proud of this rewarding experience which is making us more and more independent. At this rate we will no longer be impacted by rising food prices because we will have what it takes to live properly. This programme should be generalized and spread to the whole community.
