Sustainable Intensification of Soils and Agroecosystems

23-25 April 2024, Dakar, Senegal International Conference on Sustainable Intensification of Soils and Agroecosystems

The objective of this conference is to bring together researchers, teacher-researchers, students, experts and professionals to present the latest scientific results and discuss the challenges and opportunities for sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.

• Download the programme here # 134 p
• Follow online on zoom here 

Organized by the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA), the Center for International Cooperation in agronomic research for development (CIRAD), the Agricultural Prospective Initiative and rural (IPAR), the “Dynamics for an Agroecological Transition in Senegal” (DyTAES) and their partners, with the support of the African Center of Excellence in Agriculture for Security food and nutrition (CEA AGRISAN) and the French scientific committee of the desertification (CSFD), this international scientific conference will allow researchers and researchers, as well as civil society to discuss the challenges and opportunities of a sustainable agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa.

23/04 Session 1 : Des modes d’usage des terres renouvelés face aux enjeux de l’agenda 2030 du développement durable

This session presented research results on alternative agricultural and pastoral practices and on the responses provided by these practices to global issues and the needs of farming communities. Particular attention was paid to alternative practices allowing adaptation to the effects of climate change in the region, in particular the management of the health of soils, plants, animals and that of water resources. This session will also question the capacity of alternative practices for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through their potential for carbon sequestration in soils and vegetation.

24/04 Session 2 : Co-construire et co-évaluer les futures pratiques agricoles et les voies d’adaptation des agrosystèmes : quelles méthodologies ?

This session highlighted approaches that have integrated from their initiation a diversity of actors in the search for sustainable alternatives, in particular through innovative methods of co-design and consultation (living labs, collaborative or participatory research platform, modeling support, deliberative approach, etc.)

24/04 Session 3 : La transition agroécologique pour plus de durabilité et de souveraineté alimentaire

This session discussed the latest advances in terms of knowledge on agricultural and livestock techniques or practices, social arrangements and public policies which respond through agroecology to questions of sustainability on a scale. local, territorial, or national. It involved assessing the impact of these possible transformations on renewed food sovereignty policies.

25/04 Session 4 : Intensification durable à l’ère du numérique, de l’intelligence artificielle et des nouvelles technologies ?

• Application des images drone en RGB et de l’Intelligence Artificielle (IA) pour dénombrer les pieds de mils et estimer leur taux de couverture à l’échelle de parcelles dans un système agroforestier dominé par Faidherbia albida. Niang A. et al
• S4-3. Deep learning approach for diagnosing and estimating the severity of mango diseases in developing countries : the case of Senegal. Faye D. et al
• S4-4. Spatial Characterization of Agroforestry System Performance in Faidherbia/Pearl Millet Intercrops Using a Probabilistic Atlas of UAV Data. Diene S. et al
• S4-12. Association cultural mil-niébé comme défit de l’intensification agroécologique au Sénégal : capacité du modèle STICS à simuler ces performances agronomiques. Senghor Y. et al
• S4-11. Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) sur l’Agroécologie adapté au contexte de l’Afrique de l’Ouest : outils numérique efficace pour appuyer la transition agroécologique. Sall SN. et al.

Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Agroecology specific to West Africa (page 115 of the programme) - MOOC sur l’Agroécologie adapté au contexte de l’Afrique de l’Ouest : outils numérique efficace pour appuyer la transition agroécologique 

For a better understanding and good use of agroecological techniques and meeting the challenge of the agroecological transition, it is necessary to innovate and adapt information and sharing systems of knowledge on agricultural practices, agri-food systems and sectors, the orientations of the research, initial and continuing training for actors in the agricultural and rural world, and the system support for farmers (the agricultural council). For this, the use of tools to strengthen The most accessible and least expensive capacity will better satisfy stakeholders. Among these tools, there are training courses accessible everywhere (online), free and very interactive which are MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course). 

Agroecology is above all diversity, a diversity of ways in understanding and construction of agroecological systems, in the analysis and implementation of principles. This is why the Agroecology MOOC in West Africa takes into account the contexts regional know-how in its application and the food system as a whole. The objective of the tool created in West Africa is to adapt the content of agroecology MOOCs to the standards of West African context, to co-create new adapted case studies and new lessons illustrating the agroecological transition and co-constructing an animation system supported by the partners. The development of the MOOC Agroecology specific to West Africa constitutes a real opportunity in capacity building for teaching staff, students and development stakeholders agricultural, and thus an important lever to support the sustainable intensification of its production systems agricultural.

23/04 Table ronde 1 : Quelle transition agroécologique pour une souveraineté alimentaire en Afrique de l’Ouest ? (organisée par DyTAES)

The objectives of this round table were: to take stock of experiences around the agroecological transition; to dialogue on the place of the agroecological transition in policies and expected agricultural transformations; to identify the challenges for a successful agroecological transition.

24/04 Table ronde 2 : L’intensification durable dans l’agenda de la prochaine Conférence des Parties (COP16) de la Convention des Nations Unies de Lutte contre la Désertification (CNULCD) ? Quels messages portés à la COP16 ?

The objective of this round table is to debate: on issues of scientific diplomacy with regard to the CNCLD; on priority messages to highlight in anticipation of the next “Desertification” COP

on modalities (Policy brief) to make these messages visible.