Mali – In the village of Dalakana, Join For Water and its partners are applying practical solutions to counter soil degradation and recurrent flooding. Residents are actively involved in preserving their habitat and strengthening local agriculture.
Training communities in new techniques
At the start of the new multi-year programme in 2022, Join For Water listed the challenges in 76 affected villages. Governments and residents were naturally given a voice in this process. In Dalakana, first and foremost, they wanted to address land degradation and flooding.
People were given practical training in techniques such as low long walls that stop erosion, half-moons * and tree planting. Thus, the communities mastered practices for land restoration, also carrying out their own work on the land for a fee. Both soil protection and local employment thus improved.
A collective responsibility
To anticipate climate fluctuations, a rain gauge has been installed with the help of Mali Météo. Several farmers have been trained to read rainfall data and observe the water level in wells. This information is shared with meteorological authorities and presented at village meetings, helping everyone better understand climate phenomena.
Local management to ensure sustainability
Control mechanisms are also part of the programme. Residents receive training to maintain the structures and ensure the sustainability of the initiatives. In this way, the projects are fully integrated and maintained by the community.
Dalakana shows how, with the right tools and targeted training, a community can tackle environmental challenges. Collective involvement and local autonomy in protecting vital natural resources is vital!
*Half-moon involves digging a shallow pit in the shape of a crescent moon to plant crops. The soil dug away forms a protective border.
More on our partner: CSPEEDA – Join For Water
