Focus
Through a participatory approach, the project will focus on:

• Mitigation of desertification processes in arid and semi-arid areas of Burkina Faso, Senegal and Niger.
• Contribution to poverty reduction and livelihood security of local communities by providing know-how on the development of alternative and sustainable income-generating activities.
• Contribution to the empowerment of women and youth, and promotion of gender equality.

by:

• Transferring knowledge and building capacity on rehabilitation techniques in marginal areas through the promotion and use of drought-resistant species (Jatropha spp).
• Strengthening the management capacities and entrepreneurial flair of local stakeholders through demonstration and training sessions on Jatropha utilisation technologies.

Rationale
The food crisis has increased the vulnerability of the population despite the intervention of humanitarian organisations and governments in food distribution. The combining of environmental strategies, additional family incomes and possible renewable bio-energy constitutes a new, integrated and innovative approach to addressing the problems of depleted natural resources. This system is based on improving management of integrated environmental sustainability in rural area of the Sahel countries, and is in line with the relevant political initiatives in these countries.

Method
The project will apply a multi-level methodology:

• Promotion of demonstrative techniques designed to restore areas affected by land degradation and desertification.
• Strengthening local capacities, knowledge and skills on Jatropha nursery and plantation management, processing, transformation and marketing of its derived products through training activities and specific studies.
• Development of alternative and sustainable income-generating activities to benefit the local community, thus ensuring livelihood security.
• Raising awareness among local and national institutions and organisations, as well as creating an international network of institutional and non-state actors in West African countries to improve the South-South exchange of the acquired knowledge.

The project is subdivided into six main phases:

• Inception phase
• Assessment of previous experiences and transferability to local context:
  • Execution of transferability study.
  • Awareness plan definition.
• Education, training and capacity building:
  • Training of trainers on participatory approach techniques and facilitation skills;
  • Specific training activities relating to nursery management.
  • Specific training activities on planting management.
  • Training on production, use, commercialisation and marketing of Jatropha primary and secondary products.
• Demonstrative action on the setting up of a local nursery and Jatropha plantation activities:
  • Nursery installation.
  • Nursery production.
  • Jatropha knowledge implementation.
  • Pre-plantation.
  • Plant management.
  • Utilisation of Jatropha primary and secondary products. 
• Dissemination and awareness activities
• Project conclusion