Environmental research

The Municipality of Porto Novo is characterized by its aridity, however, irrigated agriculture, especially horticulture, represents an important economic activity in most communities. The availability of irrigation water, from springs or boreholes, represents a great challenge. The irrigation technology, drip systems, have demonstrated for over ten years their economic and environmental relevance. If in some communities, many farmers have adopted it, yet others are still reluctant to do so, mostly due to high costs of installation. In its quest to improve the living conditions of rural populations, the AGRAFE (Association of Reflection-Groups Analysis, Training and Experimentation) decided to contribute to the improved access the drip irrigation system to certain rural populations. The objective of this project will be: 1) Equip 47 plots of 270 m each with drip irrigation system, allowing the 47 farmers improve their livelihoods, and 2) manage a revolving fund aiming to assist 20 families to gain access to drip irrigation systems by July 2012.

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