2025-05-27
Benin – In the municipality of Dangbo in south-western Benin, canals and drainage channels are vital for agriculture and community life. Unfortunately, after every flood of the Ouémé River, these canals become clogged with sediment and aquatic plants. The community got to work with our partner CREDEL and is seeing results.
The activities of Join For Water and its partner CREDEL ensure that the canals are restored and maintained. Maintenance work has already been carried out on more than 20 km of canals. Join For Water and CREDEL are mobilising local communities to participate in the work. By planting eucalyptus trees, the villages of Mitro/Hetrin Sota have set up a sustainable financing system to guarantee the maintenance of their canals.
Eucalyptus plantation for income
These two villages are connected by a canal that is jointly managed by the communities. In 2023, work began on removing sediment and water hyacinths from this canal. This work is expensive and labour-intensive. The community itself does not have sufficient resources to carry out this maintenance every year.
To generate income, a production forest of eucalyptus trees was planted on land jointly owned by both villages. According to the financial analysis, the production forest will be profitable within four years. The financial proceeds can then be used for the maintenance of the canals.
A committee consisting of residents from both villages is responsible for the financial management and maintenance of the forest and canal.
Government support
If the sale of wood does not generate sufficient funds, government support can be an additional source of income. Together with our partner, we are lobbying both villages to provide funding for this, as it is ultimately a canal that, like roads, must be maintained by the local government.
This original approach not only contributes to preserving the environment, but also strengthens the resilience of communities to climate change. Conclusion? This programme shows that economic development and environmental conservation are compatible.
Stanislas GNONLONFIN, General Secretary of the Mitro/Hetrin Sota Area Management Committee.
Every time there is flooding after heavy rainfall, we are confronted with congested canals and drainage channels. This prevents us from carrying out our agricultural activities during the season. Join For Water has come to our rescue by financing 7 hectares of eucalyptus plantations.
Karim DEDJI, Vice-Chair of the Mitro/Hetin Sota Area Management Committee.
After maintaining more than 20 km of drainage channels over the past few years, agricultural production has increased significantly during the harvest season.
We will sell this wood at the right time to maintain the drainage channels ourselves. This income will allow us to be independent in the management of the drainage and channels.
Jeannine ZOUNMENOU, chairwoman of the Local Water Committee (CLE) Dangbo-Aguégués
Now that the canals have been maintained, the food crops are germinating at the right time of year. We are very happy with the harvest yields. The municipality, the Regional Agricultural Agency and other government agencies officially recognise the agency that manages the plantation’s income.
Read also the story of the canals in Aguégués
Read more about our partner CREDEL