World Future Active, with the support of the French Embassy through the PISCCA-PASSEF project, is implementing a project to improve agricultural production in the commune of Kigamba, Cankuzo province in Burundi. The project aims to use bio-waste through vermiculture to increase agricultural productivity and improve the living conditions of local farmers. With financial support from the French Embassy through the PISCCA-PASSEF project, World Future Active is implementing the project over a 15-month period. The organisation is working closely with local farmers, communal authorities and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the success and lasting impact of the project.

Project Overview and Background

1.     Current agricultural situation

CANKUZO Province, located in Commune Kigamba, is an important agricultural region of Burundi. However, local farmers face several challenges that hamper their productivity and sustainability.

 

Soil conservation: Over the years, the region's agricultural soils have suffered degradation due to unsustainable practices such as deforestation, erosion and excessive use of chemical fertilizers. This has led to a decline in soil fertility and lower crop yields.

·   Quality fertilizers: Farmers often use chemical fertilizers to compensate for low soil fertility. However, these fertilizers can be costly and have harmful effects on the environment and human health.

·        Biowaste management: Biowaste, such as crop residues, food waste and animal droppings, is not properly recycled in the region. It is often burned or disposed of in inappropriate places, leading to pollution of the environment and water resources.

2. Specific framework and approaches :

The project aims to respond to socio-economic and environmental challenges by implementing an innovative solution based on recovering bio-waste through vermiculture. This involves transforming biowaste into high-quality compost using earthworms, thereby both reducing pollution and improving the quality of agricultural soils.

The identified approach to waste recovery and soil conservation is an innovative initiative designed to address the issue of waste management and agricultural crop conservation. Using a circular economy approach, it aims to transform bio-waste into vermicompost, a rich, natural fertilizer that can help restore soil fertility and increase agricultural productivity.

Through this approach, the project will also set up a support program for the direct beneficiaries of the project (45 beneficiaries: 30 women and 15 men grouped into 3 groups of 15 people each), members of the CMDI cooperative, to build their skills in producing vermicompost and composting worms to improve their agricultural yields in the maize farming value chain. Thanks to the income generated in the Maize agricultural value chain, the empowerment of these women and young project beneficiaries will be strengthened and their economic resilience developed.

v Specific objectives :

a)     Train farmers in vermicomposting techniques and sustainable biowaste management.

b)    Establish permanent vermicomposting units on farms

      beneficiaries.

  c) Promoting the processing and marketing of agricultural products  

       from organic farming.

3. Project beneficiaries :

The project directly targets 45 direct beneficiaries of the project (45 beneficiaries: 30 women and 15 men in 3 groups of 15 people each) who are members of the CMDI cooperative to build their skills in producing vermicompost and composting worms to improve their agricultural yields in the corn agricultural value chain.

5. Partnerships and resources

The project, financed by the French Embassy, is part of the "Promotion de l'autonomisation sociale et économique des femmes et des jeunes" (PASEF) program, which focuses on the production, processing and marketing of agri-food products and the valorization of waste.

WORLD FUTURE ACTIVE and its network of partners will support beneficiary groups in accessing financing opportunities earmarked for agriculture or the processing and marketing of maize products, improved vermicompost and new products derived from maize. These beneficiary groups will benefit from support and coaching to access outlets in circular value chains, including "Waste VS Resource" value concepts, the valorization of bio-waste through vermicomposting, as well as living soil conservation farming practices that increase the population's income and promote the economic empowerment of women and young people.

6. Project impact.

The expected results of the project are as follows:

·        Successful training: The 45 beneficiaries (30 women and 15 men) of the CMDI cooperative are well trained in vermiculture and agricultural techniques. This could be measured by post-training skills assessments, satisfaction questionnaires, and analysis and monitoring of the application of these new skills in practice.

·        Installation of equipment: The equipment required for vermiculture operations is installed and operational for the CMDI cooperative and for the 3 beneficiary groups (3x15 people). This could be verified by on-site inspections and operating reports.

·        Increased agricultural production: Agricultural production of maize increases as a result of the vermicompost amendment on the plots made available. This can be measured by comparing yields before and after the project. The project results in the recovery of waste through vermiculture (an observable and measurable reduction in waste and an assessment of vermicompost quality).

·        Improved processing and marketing practices: The 45 beneficiaries are able to effectively process and market their agricultural maize production. This could be assessed by examining the rate of sale, the prices obtained, as well as the farmers' incomes after the project's implementation. The project has positive effects on the local community and the environment, such as improving the standard of living of the beneficiaries, creating jobs, promoting gender equality, improving soil health, and reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

7. PERENNITY

·        Empowerment of beneficiaries: Training beneficiaries in vermiculture and farming techniques aims to provide them with the skills they need to independently manage their own vermiculture operations. They will be able to generate income by selling vermicompost, compost worms and training, as well as products processed from maize, thus ensuring the sustainability of the activity after the end of funding.

·        Stakeholder commitment: All stakeholders are committed to 1/3 of the project. Everyone's motivation has already led to changes in practices. The support of the French Embassy will enable us to sustain the action and make it sustainable.

·        Integration into local policies: The project aims to integrate biowaste recovery and the use of vermicompost into local sanitation and agricultural policies. This will ensure that vermiculture remains a priority for local authorities, even after funding ends.

·        Creating strategic partnerships: The project aims to create strategic partnerships with local, regional and national organizations. These partnerships will help mobilize additional resources for the project and ensure its integration into longer-term development programs.

·        Research and development: By collaborating with the University of Ngozi and ISABU, the project will contribute to research into the use of vermicompost, thus fostering its acceptance and promotion among farmers and the scientific community.

·        Development of a sustainable economic model: The project aims to develop a sustainable economic model for vermiculture, based on the sale of vermicompost, compost worms and processed products derived from corn. This will ensure the long-term economic viability of the activity.

8. PROJECT DURATION

Project duration: 15 months.