Equator Prize for Sustainable Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa

Family farming and mushroom cultivation are the twin tools of Association des Pépiniéristes et Planteurs de Tône-Ouest (Association of Nursery Workers and Horticulturists of West Tône) in responding to the land degradation, low agricultural yields, and high rates of poverty that has resulted from decades of slash-and-burn farming. Mushroom farming – a traditional farming practice that had fallen into disuse due to deforestation – has been successfully reintroduced in this dryland ecosystem to address poverty, improve soil fertility, promote organic agriculture, and reduce incidence of fires during the dry season. Local incomes have doubled, with new revenue streams invested in over 90 villages into education, health, and child care. Association activities have helped to reduce bush fires and uncontrolled logging and restore soil fertility. The group has also undertaken reforestation efforts in 17 communities that have improved forest cover and restored ecosystem functioning.

 

Key Facts 

Equator Prize Winner: 2014

Founded: 2007

Location: Tône, Savanes region, northeast Togo

Beneficiaries: 105 villages, 9,000 people

Area of Focus: Biodiversity, Shrub savanna

 

Case Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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