Niamey (Niger), headquarters of the Management Unit, hosted the global launch on June 22 of the Agrifood Program for Integrated Resilience and Economic Development in the Sahel (Pro-ARIDES). In Mali, the Minister Delegate for Livestock and Fisheries officially launched Pro Arides on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.
A program costing 100 million euros, or over 65 billion FCFA. This is the cost of the ambitious Agrifood Program for Integrated Resilience and Economic Development in the Sahel. The program aims to transform food systems in three Sahelian countries: Burkina, Niger and Mali. The 10-year program is funded by the Dutch government and implemented by a consortium of organizations led by the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV).
In Mali, Pro Arides will cover the localities of San, Tominian (Ségou region), Banakass and Koro (Mopti region). “The Pro-Arides Consortium is committed to implementing innovative programs to improve the resilience, food security and incomes of farming and agro-pastoral households affected by a highly variable climate”, said Harm Duiker, SNV-Mali Country Director.
Five pathways
Pro Arides, which is being carried out with the participation of universities and research institutes, will be structured around five trajectories of the theory of change. By way of illustration, trajectory 1 will improve food, farm and herd production systems. In concrete terms, this means introducing technologies and agricultural practices that are better adapted to the climate of the intervention zone.
Pro Arides, explained the Dutch ambassador to Mali, Marchel Gerrmann, offers the opportunity to reduce poverty through salaried employment for young people and women in the Sahel. “The Pro Arides approach brings added value in terms of sustainability,” said the ambassador, who sees the program as ‘the path to a more resilient and sustainable Sahel’.
“The agricultural sector’s value chains are being negatively impacted by Covid-19 and terrorist attacks during this winter period”, acknowledged Youba Ba, Minister Delegate for Livestock and Fisheries. Minister Ba also pointed out that population growth poses new challenges for the sector in terms of agricultural production and food processing. With this in mind, Minister Ba welcomed the arrival of Pro Arides, which “adopts new approaches for a more efficient and resilient agricultural production system”.
In agreement with his counterparts from Burkina and Niger, who took part in the launch by videoconference, Minister Youba Ba officially launched the Agrifood Program for Integrated Resilience and Economic Development in the Sahel, pledging the Malian government’s support in achieving its objectives.
Source: Mamadou TOGOLA/maliweb.net