Empowering rural communities through the Y4C project

The Youth4Climate (Y4C) project, a global initiative that supports young people in implementing climate solutions, is being implemented locally thanks to Bôndy's actions in the Analamanga region. Through practical training and interactive tools, Bôndy helps farmers adopt sustainable agricultural practices while integrating agroforestry into their cultivation methods. Local communities rely directly on agriculture for their livelihood, making them particularly vulnerable to climate change. To preserve their livelihoods, a thorough understanding of the impacts of climate change has become essential. This allows the adoption of sustainable and resilient practices, which are essential for their future. Awareness-raising has allowed these communities to actively engage in collective initiatives, thus strengthening the transition to more sustainable agriculture, capable of responding to environmental challenges.

Exchange visit: Immersion, discoveries and knowledge sharing in the field

Bôndy organized an immersive exchange visit to Ambanitsena, offering 30 local farmers the opportunity to learn innovative agricultural techniques directly in the field. This practical approach allowed participants to discover concrete methods, adapted to the current challenges related to climate change and land degradation, while strengthening their understanding of sustainable agricultural practices. At the heart of this training, several key techniques were presented, including the cultivation of rare plants, allowing farmers to add diversity to their crops. In addition, crop association and rotation have been put forward to show how these practices can improve soil fertility while minimizing the risks associated with diseases and pests.

One of the most striking aspects of this visit was the introduction to water management by installing level curves on sloping land. This method makes it possible not only to reduce soil erosion, but also to capture and retain rainwater, thus promoting better natural irrigation of crops and guaranteeing more sustainable management of water resources, a crucial issue in a context of increased climate variability. At the same time, the importance of organic nurseries was highlighted to highlight the fundamental role of species diversity in land regeneration. These nurseries produce quality plants, adapted to local conditions, which can be used to reforest or diversify agricultural plots. The participants thus learned how to produce and manage their own plants, a key skill for the transition to more sustainable agriculture.

Agroforestry mural: interactive learning

As part of the Youth4Climate (Y4C) project, Bôndy deployed an educational mural on the theme of agroforestry in Mahitsy, in the Analamanga region. This interactive format, which is both visual and participatory, has proven to be a powerful awareness-raising tool for local farmers. Designed to be both fun and instructive, the mural allows participants to better understand the complex relationships between climate change, deforestation and land degradation, while offering them concrete solutions such as agroforestry.

Agroforestry, presented in this workshop, was highlighted as a key solution to restore degraded ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner. By combining trees and crops, farmers can not only improve soil fertility, but also strengthen their resilience to climate hazards. The discussions during this session highlighted the many benefits of this practice, whether in terms of erosion control, water management, or the improvement of agricultural yields in the long term.

What made this fresco particularly effective was the active involvement of farmers throughout the process. Each stage of the mural invited them to reflect collectively on local issues and to propose solutions adapted to their context. Thanks to the support of volunteers and the participatory approach, farmers were able to appropriate the concepts and understand in a concrete way the positive impact that agroforestry can have on their land. This interactive workshop thus facilitated the adoption of new practices, by creating a dynamic space for exchange where everyone could share their experiences and learn from others. In the end, the mural not only raised awareness about environmental issues, but it also encouraged farmers' engagement in implementing sustainable agricultural practices, for the benefit of both ecosystems and local communities.

Concrete actions for a more sustainable future

Interactive teaching tools, such as educational murals, make learning more engaging and accessible. These tools aim to raise farmers' awareness of environmental issues while facilitating the understanding of sustainable practices. By integrating fun and collaborative elements, Bôndy creates a stimulating learning environment that encourages the sharing of experiences and mutual support between participants and offers farmers concrete ways to adopt sustainable practices. These initiatives, supported by Youth4Climate, show Bôndy's commitment to supporting rural communities towards a more resilient and environmentally friendly future.

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