Kpalimé, Togo – In the heart of southern Togo, the women gardeners of Kpalimé are confronting escalating environmental challenges that threaten their ability to cultivate organic produce for their families and communities. Key issues include the drying up of watercourses, the spread of plastic pollution in rivers, and the silting of waterways, all intensified by the impacts of climate change. Through the LIVE-EX project, the NGO ASTOVOT is actively developing sustainable solutions to support these women and protect the environment.
Shrinking Water Sources Threaten Organic Farming
One of the most pressing challenges is the significant reduction in water resources. Once-reliable streams that irrigated the region’s organic gardens are drying up due to intensified droughts and widespread deforestation. Irregular rainy seasons further limit the availability of water for agriculture.
To address this, ASTOVOT mobilized around ten local volunteers under the LIVE-EX project to help women gardeners rehabilitate riverbanks and improve irrigation systems. These efforts aim to secure water access and ensure the survival of local food production.
Plastic Pollution: A Growing Ecological Threat
Another major challenge is the growing menace of plastic pollution. Plastic bags and waste are clogging the rivers, rendering water unsuitable for irrigation and damaging aquatic ecosystems. This environmental crisis, often caused by poor waste management, severely impacts both water quality and agricultural sustainability.
Economic and Social Consequences
The effects of water scarcity and pollution are profound. Lower water availability directly reduces agricultural yields, leading to food insecurity within communities. Additionally, the degradation of local ecosystems—such as the silting of rivers—deteriorates water quality and endangers the long-term viability of farming activities.
Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change Challenges
Facing these growing threats, several ecological solutions are being promoted:
- Drip Irrigation Systems: An efficient technique that conserves water and boosts crop productivity.
- Plastic Pollution Awareness Campaigns: Educational initiatives to encourage waste reduction and responsible waste management.
- River Cleanup Operations and Recycling Points: Concrete actions to remove plastic from rivers and promote recycling.
- Reforestation Projects: Planting trees to stabilize riverbanks, combat soil erosion, improve water quality, and restore local biodiversity.
ASTOVOT’s Commitment to Environmental Resilience
The NGO ASTOVOT plays a pivotal role in these efforts by providing technical, logistical, and material support, including motor pumps to facilitate irrigation and boost agricultural yields. ASTOVOT also leads awareness campaigns on plastic pollution and supports reforestation initiatives, strengthening the resilience of women gardeners in the face of environmental challenges.
A Greener Future for Kpalimé
Despite the difficulties, the women gardeners of Kpalimé are showing remarkable resilience. With ASTOVOT’s support, they are adopting sustainable farming practices, improving water management, fighting plastic pollution, and restoring ecosystems. Together, they are paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future for their communities.