Generating incomes for women

In the Maritime region of Togo, rural communities face high levels of deforestation, in large part due to traditional, low-efficiency charcoal production.

Meanwhile, women farmers, much like in the rest of the country, play a central role in household food security but often have limited income opportunities or access to affordable agricultural inputs (such as fertiliser) and processing technology that could enable them to improve incomes by adding value to their produce.

Moringa oleifera, also referred to as the ‘miracle tree’, is increasingly cultivated in West Africa for the many uses its leaves, fruit, seeds and roots offer to rural communities. In Togo it is valued above all for its nutrient-rich leaves, which can be boiled or dried and ground to a fine powder and eaten in soups and stews.

However, many local cooperatives operate mainly as raw moringa producers with limited value addition activities, and thus low profits. The women-led Kekeli Cooperative was one such example.

Forest and Farm Facility activities

With the technical, material and financial support of FFF, Kekeli Cooperative transitioned from a simple moringa producer to a producer and processor of moringa.

To further improve the livelihoods and resilience of Kekeli Cooperative’s members, FFF also supported the introduction of improved charcoal kilns, known as Casamance kilns, which through better oxygen control increase charcoal yields and lower both wood consumption and air pollution.

In addition, through a more controlled carbonisation process, Casamance kilns allow for the recovery of pyroligneous liquids, which can be used as a biofertiliser and biopesticide.

Significance of impact

The Kekeli Cooperative now produces two tonnes of moringa leaf powder and five tonnes of moringa-enriched maize flour per year. It also supplies school canteens with this highly nutritious product, contributing to the fight against malnutrition.

Through the use of the innovative Casamance kilns, Kekeli Cooperative now also produces and sells 1,500 litres of pyroligneous liquid to nurseries, gardens and farms per year.

Conclusion

Through the FFF-supported introduction of these two new income-generating activities for women based on sustainable natural resource use, Kekeli Cooperative has been able to strengthen women’s economic autonomy, create more sustainable livelihoods and contribute to climate-positive resource management in a highly deforested rural region of Togo.

Generating incomes for women

Forest and Farm Facility activities

Significance of impact

Conclusion

Further reading