The location? <\/em><\/h3>\nAn agro-ecological farm located in Casamance<\/strong>, a rural region in the south of Senegal particularly affected by environmental changes, massive deforestation and the exodus of the population.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The protagonists?<\/em><\/h3>\nThis farm stems from an encounter between Cl\u00e9ment Sambou<\/strong>, an agronomist by training and co-founder of the Senegalese social start-up Eco From Africa (EFA), and Quentin Le<\/strong>metais<\/strong>, director of Plantons Utile Switzerland. In the wake of their participation in the COP21, Cl\u00e9ment and Quentin decided to launch this agro-ecological farm project which they designed as a place of sharing and learning<\/strong>. Their objective is clear, says Quentin: “to support initiatives in favour of environmental protection, while having a strong social impact through the creation of an educational farm<\/em>“.<\/p>\nTo carry out their project, the two entrepreneurs are supported by a team of volunteers<\/strong>, experts in their field and passionate about the environment. To name but a few, Erwan Demenga<\/strong> (communications officer), Nadia Correa<\/strong> (environmental consultant) and Oph\u00e9lie Aiemerton<\/strong> (secretary).<\/p>\nAbove all, they rely on the energy and capacities of the local population<\/strong>, who remain the driving force of the project.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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Back to the roots<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThis adventure is a real return to the roots for Cl\u00e9ment. Born in Casamance and working in the north of the country, he has always been eager to go back to his home village to provide concrete solutions<\/strong>. For Quentin, Franco-Swiss, it is the expression of a deep attachment to the African land<\/strong> and its population that he supports through the numerous projects led by his association.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
A shared commitment that the 2 acolytes most certainly draw from their family heritage<\/strong> since Cl\u00e9ment’s father, his “mentor<\/em>“, is a rural development agent and director of CARITAS Casamance, while Quentin’s father is the founder of Plantons Utile – “Since I was a child, I have been inspired by what my father has carried out in the field of international sustainable development. Driven by the same values, I remained true to this vision by bringing together the same principles in this project in Senegal<\/em>“.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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A story of transmission<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nTransmission…a value at the heart of this project<\/strong> which is based on three complementary pillars. The preservation of the environment<\/strong> of course, through, among other things, the planting of trees to restore the mangrove. But also the raising of environmental awareness<\/strong> and training in market gardening and processing.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
The results? 50 hectares divided into a 2-hectare farm following the principle of polyculture, 10 hectares made available to entrepreneurs, 10 hectares dedicated to agro-forestry, a 10-hectare botanical garden, an eco-village as well as eco-buildings for training courses in agro-ecology. The full pack!<\/p>\n
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This farm forms a veritable ecosystem based on the <\/strong>guiding <\/strong>principle au full autonomy<\/strong>: “The major objective for this year (<\/em>Ed. N<\/em>ote: 2022) is to demonstrate that it<\/em>\u2019s <\/em>totally possible to be autonomous and self-sufficient on a 2-hectare plot in Senegal. This will be achieved through the creation of income-generating activities such as market gardening, animal breeding, agro-forestry and culture processing<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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