Agroecological Approaches to Reduce the Toxic Effects of Agri-Food Systems (DAETOX)

Background

In rural areas of Benin, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, climate vulnerability, population pressure, food insecurity, and socioeconomic inequalities are exacerbating rural households’ dependence on subsistence farming, which is already under strain.

At the same time, intensive peanut and cotton farming, as well as intensive vegetable farming, give rise to three types of pollution:

• Contamination of water, soil, and food due to increased use of chemical fertilizers.
• A risk of pathogens and antibiotic resistance resulting from inadequate management of livestock waste and uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
• Erosion and exposure of communities to toxic emissions due to the overexploitation of forest resources.

In the face of these interrelated risks, sector-specific responses are proving inadequate and call for integrated, locally tailored approaches.

Activities

To achieve this goal, the DAETOX project will:

Preserving and restoring natural resources: DAETOX strengthens the co-management of forests, soils, and protected areas; supports the restoration of degraded ecosystems; and develops sustainable income-generating activities, thereby reducing pressure on natural resources.

Generating data and strengthening One Health capabilities: DAETOX supports participatory regional assessments, action research, and applied training programs to document pollution, analyze its health impacts, and build the capacity of public, scientific, and community stakeholders to take coordinated action.

Supporting the adoption of agroecological practices: The project supports farmers through demonstration fields, innovation circles, and economic demonstration initiatives, promoting the adoption of practices that reduce the use of chemical inputs while ensuring income stability and food security.