CASE STUDY: Supporting Integrated Farming Businesses Promotes Community Well-being and the Protection of Natural Resources

Ababacar grew up in a small rural town called Djibabouya in the Sédhiou region of Senegal. The unemployment rate is high, and agricultural yields are severely affected by climate change. Many of his friends left to find work, but he decided to stay and train in agroecology. He has his own integrated farm, where elements of the farm are interdependent and work together to grow without chemical intervention. He has chicken coops, bell pepper plantations, lemon trees and fish ponds. He wants to further expand his farm and is excited to recruit more young people and train them in these environmentally-friendly techniques.  

The Regional Development Agency (ARD) of Sedhiou supports small- and medium-sized enterprises like Ababacar’s integrated farm by providing both financial support as well as training in administrative and financial management. Specifically, the ARD ensures businesses follow a responsible approach to managing natural resources in order to combat climate change.  

How can organizations like the ARD lower unemployment in rural areas by supporting youth, women and returning migrants? How can communities grow their economies while at the same time encouraging businesses to respect nature and manage their resources effectively?  

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Read the case study (English and French) to find out how and read 4 tips that we learned from putting this approach into practice, including: supporting promising local businesses who have positive and sustainable impacts; recognizing and supporting the key roles of young people, women and returning migrants in rural development and the fight against climate change; strengthening the capacities of stakeholders both locally and regionally; training the teachers of tomorrow.  

These activities are carried out through the IOM-UNDP Global Joint Programme Making Migration Work for Sustainable Development (M4SD) which supports Senegalese local and national governments, the private sector and community organizations to establish community-led solutions that empower migrants and create inclusive opportunities for all. When partners expand the key roles of young people, women and migrants to grow local economies and combat climate change, growth and positive benefits are multiplied (Sustainable Development Goals 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 17).  

Learn more about our work in Senegal.