CSR Case Studies: Middle Island Resources Supporting sustainable economic development in Burkina Faso

THE CHALLENGE

The Commune of Dassa, in the Sanguié Province of Burkina Faso, is one of the poorest areas in the world.

Despite its poverty, Dassa is renowned for its vegetables. The total population of the Commune is 14,000, most of whom are farmers. Market gardening is a significant activity that supplements diet and household incomes. The main crops are millet and sorghum. However, conditions are difficult for producers due to:

• • Weak organisation/structuring of the sector. Cooperatives exist but are disorganised.
  • Limited access to water as the market garden wells dry up just a few months after the rainy season.
  • Access to seeds and inputs is expensive and difficult.
  • Poor marketing approaches as everyone produces the same thing at the same time.

Community meeting led by Eau Vive

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The aim of this project was to contribute to the economic development of the Commune of Dassa by supporting market gardening activities, in line with the community’s five-year local development plan.

This was achieved through:

• • • Supporting improved market garden production by providing four cooperatives with a sustainable water supply (deep lined wells);
    • Installing demonstration drip-irrigation systems on four sites; and
    • Building the capacities of the cooperatives and their umbrella organisation through training.
    • Improving the infrastructure and organisation of Dassa market, a hub for local trade and commerce.

The project began in March 2012 and will be completed at the end of the vegetable growing season in May/June 2013.

BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT

Four producer cooperatives were selected as pilot sites for this project consisting of 141 farmers, mostly women. They benefited from sustainable access to water and the installation of drip-fed irrigation. They further received ongoing training in cooperative organisation, production techniques, composting, input use and marketing.

After the pilot a further 50 cooperatives (1,677 farmers) received training and technical support from two local agricultural agents. Their access to seeds and the market infrastructure was improved.

The umbrella organisation, the Dassa Market Gardeners’ Association, received training and support in fulfilling its role, setting up and managing a revolving fund for seeds and inputs.

Local Authorities received support to improve part of their market infrastructure and management training. Improved management will help to reduce the risks associated with the market’s current operation and to improve its efficiency in terms of tax collection.

The traditional wells dry up

ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

The organisations listed below worked in partnership to plan and implement this project:

Eau Vive
Eau Vive, a French development NGO with local offices in Burkina Faso, is the implementing partner. Its expertise is crucial in mobilising local support, coordinating all stakeholders, organising and monitoring project activities and encouraging all stakeholders. The project has benefitted incredibly from having a dedicated project manager who is continually following up on project actions, addressing issues and resolving problems as they arise. The group was the direct recipients of the DAP grant for the project.

Australian Government – AusAid, Direct Aid Programme
The Direct Aid Programme, through the Australian High Commission in Accra, contributed 27% of the total project costs.

Local community and the District Authorities
The local community and the District Authorities contributed 2% of the total project cost. This confirmed their commitment to and ownership of the project.

Middle Island Resources
Through its commitment to dedicate 5% of its exploration budget to local development actions in the areas where it operates, contributed to 71% of the project cost.

The total budget for the project was $A82,800.

Preparation and installation of the system

OUTCOMES TO DATE

This project is ongoing, however to date one farmer has invested his own money in installing drip irrigation on his plot demonstrating that the project is increasing farmers’ knowledge and access to drip irrigation. It is hoped that by the end of the project more farmers will have installed irrigation. The project has also raised interest from neighbouring districts.

It is hoped that this project will stimulate connections between the farmers and potential clients. Contact has been made between the cooperatives’ umbrella organisation and ATS, a catering firm that supplies the local zinc mine and MDI’s camp.

A deep lined well will be able to fill the reservoir through the season

CONCLUSION

While the long-term impact remains to be seen, this project has focused on sustainability from the early planning stages by strengthening existing structures (cooperatives and umbrella organisations), enhancing skills through training, and focusing on the supply chain and marketing strategies. Building long-term partnerships with stakeholders and identifying and engaging potential future partners will also promote the long-term sustainability of this project.

For further information regarding this project please contact Middle Island Resources