In the village of Djeibaba, located in southern Mauritania's Edebay Ehl Guelay commune, a dam built in 1995 irrigates 500 hectares of farmland. This infrastructure is crucial for the 1,500 households living there and in nearby villages, as it provides water for crops like millet, maize, and watermelon, as well as livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. However, the dam struggles to retain water year-round due to reaching its operational limits.
The Support Project for Irrigated Development and Food Security in Mauritania (PADISAM) aims to address this issue by rehabilitating the Djeibaba dam and restoring agricultural productivity sustainably. The project offers capacity building for farmers through training, equipment provision, and tailored agricultural advice. In Kaédi, a modernized soil analysis laboratory now helps farmers optimize yields by providing specific crop recommendations based on soil fertility assessments.
Empowering women and youth is another focus of PADISAM. Ba Adama Moussa, Mayor of Boghé, notes: “Women in our communities manage household finances and make decisions regarding the purchase of food, seeds, and fertilizers. Through the PADISAM project, they are gaining entrepreneurial and agricultural skills that contribute to farm management and the future of our region.”
A women's cooperative with 1,800 members has been established to diversify income streams through activities like agroforestry and rug-making. A cooperative member states: “It is essential for us to engage more in income-generating activities. The skills we are acquiring through PADISAM enable us to enhance the productivity of our farms while conserving our natural resources.”
Young individuals receive training at regional centers such as Boghé Technical College under an agreement with PADISAM. These programs teach skills like repairing agricultural equipment and adopting sustainable practices essential for long-term success.
Mechanization remains a challenge despite these efforts. A farmer emphasizes its importance: “Look at my hands, and you’ll understand why mechanization is vital for our community.” The goal is to improve yields while reducing reliance on external aid. As one community youth leader explains: “By collaborating to build our skills and infrastructure, we aim to eliminate the need for further assistance."
The project promotes participatory nature-based solutions like agroforestry and sustainable soil management to develop a scalable model applicable in other regions. This involves collaboration between local communities, regional authorities, and national institutions aimed at rural development, food security, and climate resilience.