L'Oeuvre Léger

Published purpose

This project aims to increase women’s, men’s and youth’s food security in the arid and semi-arid poor rural areas of Bolivia, Burkina Faso and Peru, and benefits approximately 35,000 people, including 6,000 men and women farmers. The project’s main objective is to strengthen the agricultural value chain, from farming to marketing, while taking into account women’s and men’s needs. Climate change resilience is a key element of the project in the three targeted countries. The chosen approach for the project therefore focuses on soil and water conservation, and on reducing crop vulnerability to unpredictable climate events, such as prolonged droughts, intense rainfall or irregular precipitation. Project activities include: (1) transfering production technologies (i.e., technical assistance missions carried out by agricultural experts, distribution of genetic material for artificial insemination); (2) implementing eco-environmental measures to ensure improved livestock feeding including installing hydroponic modules and biodigestors; (3) conducting market studies to improve marketing by types; (4) providing training in commercial negotiation techniques to organizations to improve agricultural prices; (5) providing technical assistance for individuals and groups to enhance the production; (6) developing customized teaching tools to ensure knowledge sustainability; and (7) providing training in leadership skills and public speaking, among others, to women and youth organizations. The Jules and Paul-Émile Léger Foundation (FJPEL) implements this project in partnership with the Union des groupements pour la commercialisation des produits agricoles de la Boucle du Mouhoun (UGCPA/BM), the Association Formation Développement Ruralité (AFDR), and Action pour la Promotion des Initiatives Locales (APIL) in Burkina Faso, Asociación Boliviana para el Desarrollo Rural (PRORURAL) in Bolivia, and Centro de Apoyo e Investigación para el Desarrollo Campesino (CINDES) in Peru.