The overall objective of the project is to contribute to building the resilience of rural populations vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity.
The specific objective is to strengthen governance for equitable access and sustainable management of resources in the context of climate change.
The expected results are:
- Research structures implement applied research programmes oriented towards climate change resilient rainfed agriculture and extensive livestock production.
- Training institutions working in the agroforestry sector train human resources, taking into account the gender aspect, according to the needs of public, socio-professional and private structures in the context of resilience to the effects of climate change.
All project activities are carried out in close collaboration with Mauritanian research and training centres active in the field of rainfed agriculture and transhumant livestock (CNRADA, ONARDEL, ENFVA, CFPR, ISET), as well as the Mauritanian technical services for agriculture and livestock in Assaba, Hodh El Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi and Guidimakha.
The "applied research" sub-component is based on collaborative research with agro-pastoral producers, in order to promote applied research activities that meet the demands of RIMRAP stakeholders.
The vocational training sub-component is based on the participatory approach of the agro-pastoral field schools (APFS).
Applied research activities :
- Diagnostics and analysis of the research component: SWOT analysis, analysis of researchers' skills
- Preparation and delivery of research activities: identification of priority programmes; development and implementation of research programmes
- Institutional support to research institutions: capacity building of researchers; provision of necessary equipment and tools
Research topics:
1) Production of livestock feed from local products, 2) Selection of rainfed seeds adapted to climate change, 3) Sustainability of local natural resource management structures, 4) Efficiency and improvement of traditional pest control methods, 5) Toxicity of some forage plants, 6) Control of stinging caterpillars
Vocational training activities:
- Diagnosis and analysis of the training component: Identify training adjustments, assess staff skills
- Preparation and delivery of training activities: Elaboration of modular training programmes, organisation of ToTs on the modules developed, organisation of decentralised training for rural producers, updating and validation of training programmes in sustainable agriculture and pastoralism based on the results of applied research, organisation of training on decentralised natural resource management
- Institutional support to training institutions: Capacity building of trainers, support for the acquisition of training equipment for the structures concerned according to the needs identified, support for the professional integration of young graduates
Training modules:
1) Protection of food crops, 2) Technical itineraries for the selection of food seeds, 3) Seed storage and management of seed banks, 4) Development of firewalls and firefighting, 5) Prevention and management of agro-pastoral conflicts, 6) Reasoned management of herds, 7) Management of local structures, 8) Anti-erosion control, 9) Transformation of NTFPs, 10) Forest regeneration and reforestation
- Facilitation of cooperation between research and training structures
- Dissemination and capitalisation of the results of the applied research component of the vocational training component
- Results-oriented monitoring (RAM)