Guinea

‘Gire and Climate’ inventory in Fouta Djallon

GRET is an international solidarity organisation whose mission is to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations and combat inequality, while preserving the environment.

An initiative of Gret

Overview of the project

This study is part of the project “Protecting Nature Is Our Duty”, implemented by the Fédération des Paysans du Fouta Djallon and co-financed by AFD and CCFD-Terre Solidaire, with the technical support of IRD and Gret. The objective is to assess the impacts of climate change and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in order to propose roadmaps with actionable strategies to enhance adaptation and improve agricultural production.

Through field visits, documentary reviews, participatory workshops, and individual surveys, assessments were conducted across the seven sub-basins of the Fouta Djallon. These assessments revealed significant environmental impacts (soil degradation, loss of ecosystem services, mismatch between crops and climate), economic impacts (declining yields, crop losses, reduced income, and widening inequalities), and social impacts (rising inequalities and increased food insecurity).

Based on these findings, a three-pillar roadmap was developed:

  1. Understanding climate dynamics – To better guide spontaneous initiatives and integrate climate evolution into the Federation’s interventions, knowledge of climate trends and their implications for value chains is essential.

  2. Experimenting with adaptive solutions – Once future constraints are understood, it is crucial to continue testing new options, building on ongoing initiatives and updated climate knowledge.

  3. Fostering knowledge sharing – Creating spaces for dialogue and experience-sharing to debate lessons learned and identify best practices to be scaled up.

Objective

Assess the impact of climate change on water resources and, consequently, on agricultural production.

Level of progress

Ongoing research

Project timeline

01/04/2023-30/09/2023

Quantitative results

Assessments (on climate and IWRM) accompanied by specific roadmaps with courses of action carried out for the seven sub-basins of Fouta Djallon. More than 200 farmers surveyed and made aware of the issues. Working sessions organised with municipal consultation officials.

Qualitative results

In terms of qualitative results, it is worth noting that members of the farmers’ federation have become more aware and have a better understanding of the reality of climate change and its impact on agricultural production, thanks to the awareness-raising and training activities that have been carried out. Based on the climate and IWRM roadmaps developed at the end of the study, these stakeholders have initiated small-scale developments such as stone barriers, reforestation and the use of new seeds in order to gradually adapt to climate change.

Financing

By the French Development Agency and CCFD-Terre Solidaire.

About the
organisation

Gret

website
Julien GARNIER
Country Representative in Benin
garnier@gret.org

GRET is an international solidarity organisation whose mission is to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations and combat inequality, while preserving the environment. Founded in 1976, GRET is now present in some 30 countries around the world. It works in the areas of natural resources, essential services, cities and habitats, integration and employment, nutrition and health, food systems, land governance, and inclusive economics and finance. In addition to these specific areas, GRET works on cross-cutting issues such as youth, gender and ecological transition. GRET operates through projects, expertise, training/capitalisation and network facilitation.

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