Protection and Insertion of Migrant Labour and Environment in Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire

The project "Protection and Insertion of Migrant Labour and Environment in Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire" (MITSA) was launched on the margins of COP15 conference on 14 May in Abidjan. The aim of the MITSA project was to contribute to the recognition of the positive role played by agricultural labour migration in the resilience of urban and peri-urban areas in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.  
 
Through this project, IOM has worked to promote the work of migrants in the agricultural sector, often informal, focusing on urban and peri-urban areas in order to highlight the contribution of migrant workers to the resilience of these areas, and to propose innovative solutions to maximize this contribution while ensuring dignified conditions that respect their rights.

MITSA Pilot Project in Anyama

Implemented by the Consortium Sud Développement, Association pour la Réinsertion des Migrants de Retour en Côte d'Ivoire (ARMCI) and Life on Land, the pilot project in Bingerville is based on the practical school methodology, which combines theory (20%) and practice (80%). The practicl school methodology in agroecology is a participatory approach that aims to build the capacity of farmers (both migrant and local) to manage their farming systems sustainably. It is based on the principles of learning by doing, facilitation and exchange of experience. 
 
For the beneficiaries, (the main results were the enhancement of knowledge in:  

• new cultivation techniques for the production and marketing of market garden produce. 
• environmental protection.  
• the management of agricultural cooperatives. 

AMITSA Pilot Project in Anyama

Implemented by Jeunes Volontaires pour l'Environnement (JVE) Côte d'Ivoire, the pilot project in Anyama is based on soilless production techniques, agroecological practices through the creation of a processing unit, a village savings and credit association (association villageoise de crédit et d’épargne – AVEC in French) and facilitating access to land.  
 
The beneficiaries have been trained and sensitized on how to access land, have learned new forms of sustainable and environmentally friendly farming and have strengthened the social inclusion of migrant workers through the creation of informal solidarity savings cooperatives.

MITSA Pilot Project in Pikine

Implemented by the Pikine Yoonu Tekki Consortium, the aim of the Pikine pilot project was to set up agro-ecological farms in the Niayes area of Pikine (Senegal) through fish farming, horticulture, the construction of a composting platform and the development of intensive poultry farming.  
 
It has boosted the diversification of agricultural activities and the efficient use of water resources in the implementation zone. In addition to preserving the environment, these activities have increased the income of beneficiaries.

MITSA Pilot Project in Rufisque

Implemented by the "GIE des Maraichers de Lendeng", this project aimed to support the sustainable development of irrigated market gardening for the resilience of producers/migrants in the Rufisque department. Activities focused on the construction of a composting platform, the purchase of shared agricultural equipment, the setting up of a processing and marketing unit, and support for migrant workers. 
 
In terms of results, it has led to an increase in production, the adoption of environmentally friendly farming practices, and an increase in the supply of produce to the urban market, improvement in product preservation, support for the regularization of migrant workers and a reduction in youth unemployment.

Project results/main achievements and/or insight on future perspectives

The MITSA project has enabled us to gain a better understanding of migration patterns and agricultural models in the urban areas of Dakar and Abidjan. 
 
Having reached up to 400 migrant beneficiaries (including 200 young people), the pilot projects have facilitated the development of innovative and sustainable approaches to highlight the work of migrants and improve their living conditions in the urban and peri-urban agricultural sector.  It identified good practices such as a participatory and inclusive approach, closely involving local stakeholders in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of project activities, but also the importance of flexibility, adaptability and multi-stakeholder collaboration to meet the changing needs of communities and migrants. 
 
Future perspective mainly lie in replicating projects of this type in other urban and peri-urban areas of Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, in order to continue building the resilience of urban and peri-urban migrant communities, by promoting innovative and sustainable solutions to challenges on the ground. 
 
To ensure the sustainability of pilot projects, it would be important to facilitate:  

• technical capacity building by setting up agroecology incubators and entrepreneurial training
• organizational and financial capacity-building through the management of fund-raising cooperatives and the strengthening of Village Savings and Credit Association systems.