From 8 to 12 April 2025, CIRAWA project partners gathered in Saint Louis, Senegal, for the 3rd Consortium Meeting. The week-long event provided an important opportunity to review the project’s progress, share experiences, and define the next steps for activities across the four participating countries: Cape Verde, Ghana, The Gambia, and Senegal.
The meeting featured a mix of workshops, field visits, and dynamic discussions, all centered around advancing agroecology and building stronger collaboration among partners.
Field Visits
The first field trip took the consortium to the Mbane region, where partners engaged with local producers. These visits provided insights into the practical challenges and opportunities for implementing agroecological practices on the ground.
Agroecology Awareness Campaign
CIRAWA also organised an agroecology awareness-raising campaign for young learners. Facilitated by local partner ISRA – CRA Saint-Louis, the session gave students the chance to get hands-on experience with sustainable farming techniques and highlighted the importance of healthy soils. Early education was showcased as a fundamental driver for building a more sustainable future.
Another highlight of the week was the visit to Jardin des Femmes, a women-led garden initiative established in the early 2000s. The lead farmer shared her story, discussing both the challenges she faces and her hopes for the future. With CIRAWA’s support, she aims to adopt more resilient farming practices and expand her market reach.
Policy Roundtable
On the Friday, local stakeholders were invited to join the discussion around the state of agroecology in Senegal. The event was organised by REVOLVE with the support of ISRA – CRA Saint-Louis and it brought together a range of stakeholders—including NGOs, researchers, local and regional administrators, and farmers—to align priorities for scaling agroecology in Senegal and beyond.
Discussions centred on:
- Establishing a shared definition of agroecology based on core principles
- Integrating agroecology into Senegal’s national strategy
- Assessing the costs of transitioning to agroecological systems and encouraging transition insurance
- Strengthening public support and political will through measures such as institutional markets and public procurement focused on agroecological products
Vermicomposting training
The meeting concluded with a vermicomposting training led by the University of Sevilla team. Through a combination of theoretical and practical sessions, participants learned how to implement vermicomposting systems for recycling organic waste, producing nutrient-rich biofertilisers to improve soil health. The training followed a “train-the-trainer” model, empowering participants to share their new knowledge within their own communities.
The week was packed with enriching experiences, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration. After this 3rd Consortium Meeting, CIRAWA partners are more aligned to advancing agroecology in West Africa, building a strong foundation for the next phase of the project.
