Agrisud has always worked in collaboration with a diverse range of partners. To mark the release of our 2024 activity report, we invited them to share their views on these partnerships.
AMADESE Association / in Madagascar
"This synergy, between Agrisud and AMADESE, enhances the effectiveness of interventions and promotes an approach tailored to the realities on the ground."
Malalasoa Laza RANDRIAMPITAHIANA,
Technical Manager
What is the benefit of the partnership?
MLR: This partnership combines international expertise with local roots for more effective action. Agrisud provides methods, tools, and experience sharing to address issues and propose interventions. AMADESE has a deep understanding of community needs and local realities, which allows for more targeted actions. Working together thus strengthens the credibility of the project and its acceptance by both the populations and the authorities.
What concrete results on the ground?
MLR: Since 2011, we have observed an evolution in the farming practices of family farms. The agroecology training sessions have had a very positive impact, particularly on the management of forest and fruit plantations, as well as on the development of the tanety*, thanks to the use of contour lines. Knowledge and skills for sustainable agriculture have spread throughout the territory, notably through the role of master-farmers**.
These changes are also reflected economically, with an increase in income. We are also seeing a shift at the territorial collectivities level. Municipalities are becoming more involved in land use planning and are now allocating part of their budgets to it. They have recognized the importance of preserving agricultural areas and natural resources.How do you see the future of this collaboration?
MLR: This partnership has helped deepen our knowledge and strengthen our skills, not only technically, but above all methodologically. We will continue working in this direction in Itasy. Agrisud has also gained valuable insights from this shared experience, and we will be able to continue the collaboration in this spirit of complementarity.
A final message to share about the importance of these actions?
MLR: Our collaboration is essential to maximize the impact of our actions. It makes it possible to combine the expertise and resources of larger organizations like Agrisud with AMADESE’s in-depth knowledge of the local context. This synergy enhances the effectiveness of interventions and promotes an approach tailored to the realities on the ground.
*Tanety: cultivated plots on slopes - **Master-farmers: farmers who spread agroecological practices among their peers and provide agricultural services.
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LEARN MORE about the partnership with AMADESE >> Access the 2024 Activity Report
CATI* - The agricultural technical services of the state of São Paulo / in Brazil
"We appreciate this valuable partnership, which reinforces our action in favor of rural development.”
João Paulo NIKOLAUS,
Director of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Activities
What is the benefit of the partnership?
JPN: Agrisud is an internationally renowned organi- zation. Our contacts are committed multidisciplinary professionals with extensive technical knowledge and an understanding of the social issues related to family farming. Working together allows us to achieve significant results with the farms we support. The actions we undertake contribute to the spread of agroecology and the economic development of the region.
What concrete results on the ground?JPN: The results achieved are significant. Family farms and their organizations have developed agro- ecological, productive, and viable systems. These systems are also environmentally positive: they reduce the negative effects of conventional agriculture. The families have improved their management practices and expanded marketing channels, leading to an increase in their income.
How do you see the future of this collaboration?
JPN: These encouraging results are motivating. We have therefore decided to scale up the actions: the new phase of collaboration should help increase the number of families supported and consolidate the mastery of agroecological techniques. We genuinely hope that our joint action will sustainably improve the living conditions of a larger number of families.
A final message to share about the importance of these actions?
JPN: The initiatives carried out with Agrisud in our region play a key role in ensuring the sustainability of family farming. They contribute to maintaining a viable and responsible economic activity, both socially and environmentally. We appreciate this valuable partnership, which reinforces our action in favor of rural development.
* Coordenação de Assistência Técnica Integral.
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LEARN MORE about the partnership with CATI >> Access the 2024 Activity Report
Professional agricultural organization LFPA / in Seychelles
“The example of our partnership has a wide positive impact, and a study is underway to replicate this model.”
Nelson RENAUD,
Chairman
What is the benefit of the partnership?
NR: We have been partners for 3 years. While we were initially hesitant about getting involved in a supply chain with a tourism operator, Agrisud’s experience reassured us... Agrisud shared methods and successful actions from other contexts. They supported us, and in the end, we took the leap!
This collaboration is important to us because family farming in Seychelles is facing significant challenges. On one side, there are many hotels (and thus high demand for food products), and on the other, farms that are struggling to sell their products. The business relationship established with Club Med today gives us security and allows us to grow our activities.What are the main results of the partnership?
NR: The hospitality and restaurant market is demanding in terms of product quality. However, in Seychelles, many farms use chemical products. Thanks to this collaboration, most of the members have changed their practices to adopt agroecology. This has led to an increase and improvement in production.
We have been able to develop our activities, increase our investment capacity, and some members are even venturing into agro-tourism by offering tours of their agroecological farms. The example of our partnership has a wide positive impact, and a study is underway with UNDP to replicate this model. The goal is to present the results to the Seychelles government to pass a law.How do you see the future of this collaboration?
NR: The collaboration is working well, so the idea is to continue. In 2024, we launched a new initiative with Agrisud: a training project in agroecology with the SIAH, Seychelles Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, in partnership with the Seychelles Ministry of Agriculture and funded by SeyCCAT.
A final message to share on the importance of these actions?
NR: The actions we are taking are essential for our families, for health, and for the country as a whole. Training and passing on knowledge in agroecology should be a priority in Seychelles to ensure a more sustainable future.
*SeyCCAT : Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust.
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LEARN MORE about the partnership with LFPA >> Access the 2024 Activity Report
Yves Saint Laurent Beauté / in Morocco
"This partnership is crucial in professionalizing value chain stakeholders.
It is one of the key factors ensuring the sustainability of our sourcing channels.”
Caroline NÈGRE,
Scientific and Sustainable Development Director for YSL Beauté
What is the benefit of the partnership?
CN: Agrisud brings valuable international expertise combined with strong local insight. For YSL Beauté and the Ourika Community Gardens, this means tailored support, with methods and tools adapted to the local context. This partnership is crucial in professionalizing value chain stakeholders and is a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of our sourcing channels.
What are the results of the partnership?
CN: After more than 12 months of collaboration, we have observed significant progress. Agrisud and its partner, the Fondation Norsys, carried out a cost and constraint analysis together with the women working in the Ourika Community Gardens and in the primary processing of ingredients (drying). This enabled the various actors in the value chains to align production and remuneration goals. This transparency in pricing and negotiations is one of the pillars of our supply chains.
The women have other projects in agriculture and food production. The skills they have gained will be useful in these activities. And we know that diversifying activities is an asset in securing and developing the economic stability of the communities.How do you see the future of this collaboration?
CN: We have started our collaboration with Agrisud (one year). Their contributions are valuable for consolidating the achievements of the Ourika Gardens. We are still counting on their support for the next two years…
A final message to share on the importance of these actions?
CN: The importance of these actions lies in their transformative impact. Investing in sustainable agriculture and the empowerment of local communities is essential to build a fairer and more environmentally respectful future.Today, this initiative allows us to have a positive impact on biodiversity, and to guarantee better traceability and responsible harvest of our signature ingredients, among the 200 species in the gardens (…)
This project, in line with Mr. Saint Laurent's legacy, not only helps preserve and regenerate biodiversity, but also highlights the expertise of Moroccan communities.
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LEARN MORE about the partnership with YSL Beauté >> Access the 2024 Activity Report
