Land Use and Economic Development of the Niayes Region

General

The goal of the Program for Land Use and Economic Development of Niayes (PADEN) is to help to increase production and marketing of onions, garlic, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, cabbages, limes, watermelons, mangoes, papayas, and strawberries in the Niayes region. The purpose of the project is to increase the incomes of 9,000 producers (women and men), to make them true entrepreneurs, and to protect the region’s natural resources. At least half of these producers are women. The current program builds on the achievements of previous CIDA projects in the horticultural and forestry sectors, and in strengthening producers’ organizations (both women and men). However, this new activity takes the form of a program-based approach. Five government technical services and eight rural communities are the project’s key partners, with the Directorate of Horticulture of the Ministry of Agriculture as the sponsoring ministry. This program makes it possible to consolidate past activities, especially those involving the filao strip. Support activities are also needed for the whole sector that aims to strengthen producers’ organizations and certain public institutions. Finally, the program considers water research, agricultural and forest production, supply chain storage and packaging infrastructures, access to inputs and loans, and the regulatory environment (land use).