Togo agro-ecology: Couple build eco-village and teach eco-friendly techniques

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00:00 This practice-based course teaches farmers how to produce rice despite the shorter rainy

00:07 seasons caused by climate change.

00:11 The class takes place at SIDAP, a 50-acres training centre located in northern Togo.

00:18 Here students learn agroecological practices along with traditional methods for preserving

00:24 water and soil.

00:25 "The smallest amount of rainfall is controlled on site and is sufficient to adequately irrigate

00:31 the rice."

00:32 "During the last 40 years, SIDAP has trained over 10,000 farmers.

00:38 It is the only agricultural program in the country that integrates climate change in

00:43 its curriculum."

00:44 "SIDAP has incorporated agro-meteorology into its training program to play an important

00:51 part in guiding young people to understand the weather.

00:54 The first lesson is to be aware that there is a change."

01:00 Near the training centre stands an open-air lab spanning 24 acres, built by SIDAP's founders

01:08 Tieda and Seda Bawena.

01:11 In this eco-village, a system of 100 tanks collects rainwater, while small stone embankments

01:19 protect against erosion and guide water to spread into the dry soils.

01:25 "We have managed to replicate this small miracle that SIDAP in Baga had already achieved.

01:32 The same methods can make the land fertile, bring forth water and create forests everywhere."

01:38 "This is the difference between a soil that has accumulated humus and a soil that hasn't.

01:53 Locals can't believe that we can harvest cassava or yam in this area.

01:57 Who would have believed that citrus fruits could thrive here?"

02:03 The agricultural accomplishments of the Bawena couple attract communities from all the region.

02:10 Their villages are severely affected by climate change, facing both floods and long periods

02:17 of droughts after the short rainy seasons.

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