Technical Cooperation Brazil- Africa Successful partnerships kindle | African development Algeria - Benin - Botswana - Brazil - Senegal - Togo |

2019

Technical Cooperation Brazil- Africa Successful partnerships kindle | African development Algeria - Benin - Botswana - Brazil - Senegal - Togo |

2019 ©Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) / TECHNICAL DATA Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), 2018 1) “Knowledge Transfer in Gem Cutting, Jewelry and Stone handicrafts” Project. a. Partner country: Algeria Reproduction of the contents of this b. Term: 2010-2018 c. Partner institutions: publication is prohibited for commercial i. In Brazil: purposes. 1. Brazilian Association of Small and Medium-scale Manufacturers of Gems, Jewelry and Similar Products (ABRAGEM) www.abc.govb.br ii. In Algeria: 1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2. Ministry of Tourism and Crafts Production: Proativa Comunicação d. Area: Handicrafts

2) “Institutional Strengthening of Benin’s Vocational Editing: Flávio Resende RP-4237 DF and Technological Education in Agroecology and Cooperativism” Project. a. Partner country: Benin Wrinting: Luciano Marques b. Term: 2011-2018 c. Partner institutions: i. In Brazil: Review: Dayane Holanda e Janaina 1. Federal Institute of Bahia (IFBA) Plessmann 2. Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB) ii. In Benin: 1. Ministry of Secondary Education and Photography: Agência Brasileira de Vocational Training (MESFTP) 2. Lycée Agricole Medji Sekou (LAMS) Cooperação (ABC) d. Area: Agriculture

3) “Institutional strengthening of the cooperative Visual Project e Diagramming: Vinícius Souza system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers” Project. a. Partner country: Botswana b. Term: 2013-2017 c. Partner institutions: i. In Brazil: 1. Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) ii. In Botswana: 1. Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security (MDASA) 2. Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) 3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs d. Area: Agricultural Cooperativism

4) “Support to the PAIS Project in Senegal” Project. a. Partner country: Senegal b. Term: 2011-2015 c. Partner institutions: i. In Brazil: 1. Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Service of the Federal District (Emater-DF) 2. Institute of Social and Environmental Studies ii. In Senegal: Brazil. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1. Ministry of Agriculture 2.National Agency for Agricultural Brazilian Cooperation Agency. Integration and Development (ANIDA) Brazil-Africa Technical Cooperation. d. Area: Agriculture Successful partnerships kindle African development/ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 5) Projeto “Apoio Institucional ao Instituto Togolês de Brasília, Brazilian Cooperation Agency. Pesquisa Agronômica (ITRA)” a. Partner country: Togo b. Term: 2010-2017 68p. c. Partner institutions: i. In Brazil: ISBN: 978-85-60123-13-1 1. Brazilian Agricultural Research Company (Embrapa) I. International Technical Cooperation. ii. In Togo: 1. Togolese Institute for Agronomic II. Brazilian Cooperation Agency. Research (ITRA) d. Area: Agriculture CDD: 327.81 FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL BRAZILIAN COOPERATING INSTITUTIONS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Brazilian Association of Small and Medium-scale Manufacturers of MINISTER OF STATE Gems, Jewelry and Similar Products Ambassador Ernesto Araújo (ABRAGEM); Federal District Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Service SECRETARY GENERAL OF FOREIGN (Emater-DF); Brazilian Agricultural AFFAIRS Research Corporation (Embrapa); Embaixador Otávio Brandelli Federal Institute of Bahia (IFBA); Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB); Institute of SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN TRADE Social and Environmental Studies; AND FINANCIAL POLICY Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives Ambassador Santiago Irazabal Mourão (OCB).

DIRECTOR OF THE BRAZILIAN ABC TECHNICAL STAFF COOPERATION AGENCY Ana Carla Rodrigues Pereira do Valle; Embaixador Ruy Pereira André Gustavo Barros; Armando Vieira Filho; Camila Guedes Ariza; DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE Fábio Webber Tagliari; Melissa Sendic BRAZILIAN COOPERATION AGENCY Sudbrack; Paula Silveira. Embaixador Demétrio Bueno Carvalho

GENERAL COORDINATION OF TECHNICAL COOPERATION OF THE AFRICA, ASIA AND OCEANIA Nelci Peres Caixeta Foreword

South-South Cooperation, firstmany Brazilian institutions over the past endorsed by the United Nations in 1978, 31 years. Brazil was previously limited is a framework for interaction among to receiving technical assistance from developing countries that has gained developed partners, but in the last few momentum and importance in recent years, it has become an important player decades. Partner countries share their in South-South cooperation. experiences and best practices in South- South cooperation (SSC) to address The ABC has acquired expertise in common challenges. This document implementing projects and programs presents successful SSC partnerships that are based on a set of principles between Brazil and five African countries that include the horizontal approach to over the past few years: Algeria, Benin, such relationships. It also developed a Botswana, Senegal and Togo. methodology in which work is always collaborative. There is no ready-made The federal agency in charge of recipe; all aspects, including project coordinating these SSC initiatives is the design, are jointly devised with the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), a partner countries by both sides sharing branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs their knowledge. (MRE). The Agency has undertaken hundreds of successful SSC projects These are the principles that underpin that span over three decades and delve the cooperation projects with Algeria, into several areas of knowledge in more Benin, Botswana, Senegal and Togo, than 100 countries. all of which represent successful initiatives that shaped the relationship The ABC was established in 1987 to between Brazil and Africa in recent coordinate the federal government’s times. Brazilian cooperation with other technical cooperation activities within developing countries is demand-driven, the framework of Brazilian foreign policy. in compliance with the guidelines set out It focuses on strengthening Brazilian by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which technical and humanitarian cooperation upholds tenets such as non-interference delivered abroad and on coordinating in the partners’ domestic affairs and received technical cooperation from non-conditionality. other countries. Algeria recently uncovered substantial Developed countries and international gemstone lodes and relied on Brazilian organizations have fostered capacity technical expertise to update their building and boosted the expertise of jewelry production techniques. Brazilian experts supported Benin in improving countries involved in each project. their understanding of Agroecology and smallholder cooperativism, which Given that Africa is a priority in was the same demand forwarded by Brazilian foreign policy, this publication Botswana and Senegal, while Togo is an expression of the Itamaraty’s improved its knowledge regarding the commitment to the provisions set forth cultivation and processing of cassava, in Item 4, article IX, of the Federal an important domestic product. Constitution, according to which “international relations established It is important to bear in mind that all SSC by the Federative Republic of Brazil initiatives that the ABC undertakes are are governed by “, among others, the only possible because of the expertise principle of “cooperation among peoples and partnerships established with the for the progress of humanity”. This is the Brazilian cooperating institutions and vital linchpin in Brazilian international with the governments of the foreign cooperation. Summary

ALGERIA Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture 10

BENIN Institutional Strengthening of Benin’s Vocational and Technological Education in Agroecology and Cooperativism 25

BOTSWANA Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers 35

SENEGAL Support to the PAIS Project in Senegal 42

TOGO Institutional Support to the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA) 59 Algeria Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture | Brazil - Algeria International Cooperation

Saharan Treasure Decade-long cooperation between Brazil and Algeria has shared leading-ed- ge jewelry making techniques, especially in Tamanrasset, where gemstones for finishing are abundant.

Algeria is a North African country mainly for improvement and their artisanship known for its vast oil and natural gas required strengthening. reserves. However, resources in this quarter of the Sahara are nor restricted In this context, the “Knowledge Transfer to these commodities. Geological in Gem Cutting, Jewelry and Stone studies have shown that the southern handicrafts” Project was launched and part of the country is teeming with mines signed in June 2008. It is coordinated yielding high quality precious gems. by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency When duly processed they can become (ABC/MRE) in partnership with the unique jewelry - a source of income for Brazilian Association of Small and local artisans that diversifies the local Medium-scale Jewelry Manufactures, economy and improves the quality of life Miners and Prospectors (ABRAGEM) and of local families. the Chamber of Crafts and Trades (CAM) in Tamanrasset, a town in Algeria. This Excepting the limited manufacture of the capacity-building effort led to a local and renowned handmade Algerian jewelry, to a nationwide increase in the quality these vast gemstone lodes had not been and bulk of jewelry manufacture in a mined until a few years ago. Jewelry matter of years. making is a thousand-year-old Algerian tradition: smiths cast and forge silver This initiative sought to contribute to in a painstaking ritual with traditional Algeria’s socioeconomic development hand-held instruments, while seated by improving artisans’ skills, introducing before bonfires. However, the southern stone handicraft production techniques part of this African country has more and promoting social inclusion. potential to tap. Local resources needed Although this was an unexpected result, to be put to better use, the technical the project also fostered a paradigm and artistic skills of local artisans called shift. Algerian women, who have

The project invested a substantial sum over the course of its implementation, totaling $3 “million.”

10 Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture

Uma das maiores conquistas da parceria entre o Brasil e a Argélia foi a inclusão de mulhe- res nas capacitações realizadas no âmbito do projeto. O setor de ourivesaria e artesanato era predominantemente de homens. Mulheres passaram a integrar os cursos na Escola-Piloto e, aos poucos, ganharam espaço e reconhecimento local. O projeto já formou artesãs em ourivesa- ria, design de joias manual e 3D, e artesanato mineral.

historically been estranged from this all technical cooperation projects with trade, had the opportunity of attending English and French-speaking African the training sessions, dicovering a countries at the ABC. career and achieving social and financial independence. “The fact that jewelry production in TAMANRASSET Algeria was a male-dominated trade caused considerable resistance. Algerian The population of Tamanrasset is families did not readily welcome the approximately ninety thousand people, involvement of women, but the Brazilian mostly Tuareg (it is considered the artisans’ engagement process was quite Algerian capital for this nomadic people). measured and the Algerian women Tamanrasset became a regional trading realized that they had great potential,” center thanks to its historic trade routes says Nelci Caixeta, who coordinates with neighboring countries. It choice

11 Brazil - Algeria International Cooperation

was strategic because of its wealth production bulk and establish more of precious gems and other mineral efficient negotiation and marketing deposits. Furthermore, handicrafts are channels with Algerian partner an important source of income for the institutions and other potential markets. local population. While visiting the African country One of the major results achieved by in 2010, Rogério Viana Leite, the this South-South technical cooperation Abragem vice-chairperson , was initiative, which celebrated its tenth amazed with local potential. “It was anniversary in 2018, was the creation of a very important visit and to a certain a model Training Center to hold training point it was very emotional for us. We sessions for artisans from Tamanrasset saw the disadvantaged population and other regions. from Tamanrasset, mainly from Tuareg desert tribes, benefit from a promising To this end, Brazilian specialists shared center for research and knowledge new and updated jewelry making dissemination at a higher level that techniques with Algerian artisans to was already set up in such an isolated improve their working conditions, using location, even though the school hasn’t the machinery and equipment that Brazil yet achieved University status,” says provided. Rogério, who is a gemologist.

This initiative also helped artisans to Six years later, Harilton Sobrinho, the establish a producers’ cooperative to Abragem, described the initiative. “The foster knowledge sharing, increase project is a major success for both

12 Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture

partner countries in cooperation, and “In the past, people were not aware of we hope the methodology is replicated how to polish or identify a precious stone, throughout the entire Algerian nation, but now many are,” says Choukri. “The because the partners spared no effort to jewelry that was manufactured in this introduce the rare and wonderful stones region used to have some shortcomings, of the Sahara desert to the world for but now it doesn’t anymore. Artisans the first time thanks to the creativity of used to design the jewelry in their minds, Algerian artisans”. but today they command both manual and 3D expertise in jewelry design. In According to Benzarour Choukri, national the past, artisans used to work on the director for the promotion of handicrafts floor, but today they work in a studio and the project coordinator in Algeria, with machinery. The Training Center this initiative is iconic, high profile and is gradually becoming well-known, offers the opportunity to contribute attracting tourists and becoming part effectively towards raising the living of the tourist circuit in Algeria. People standards of artisans in Tamanrasset and have finally realized the worth of these other communities, while also displaying Saharan gems. Now there is a precious their local culture. stone market in the region and, for us, it is the beginning of a brilliant trajectory”.

Implementing the model Tamanrasset Handicrafts Training Center. Purchasing and 1 installing the machinery required to deliver courses at the training center.

Training Algerian craft workers at the Tamanrasset Model Training Center to boost 2 local jewelry manufacture to industrial and competitive levels.

Fostering a cooperativism-minded approach

PROJECT PILLARS PROJECT for artisans designed along the lines of the 3 successful Brazilian model through training in cooperativism and the creation of a crafts cooperative.

13 Brazil - Algeria International Cooperation

THE TRAINING CENTER generations to come, from casting and gem cutting, up to the design approach Algerian artisans took about a week to that transforms rough stones into produce a single piece using ancient gemstones using the set of techniques and simple techniques. The Brazilian known as Stone Handicrafts, hitherto cooperation project showed them that unknown in Algeria. Model Training with new methods and machinery they Center students themselves set up a could accomplish the same project in a crafts cooperative. The “Tirtit N’Ahaggar” single day. Nevertheless, it is important is committed to ensuring that the lessons to mention that their traditions, practices brought by Brazilian specialists are not and customs in jewelry manufacturing, forgotten. It is hoped that this initiative which are handed down from father to will help the region become a national son, were duly preserved. Protecting hub for designer jewelry, gemology and their cultural heritage for the next stone handicrafts, thereby increasing its generations is essential. tourist appeal.

The Training Center is located in the The first group to graduate from the Handicraft House in Tamanrasset. Model Training Center underwent Nowadays they expect to continue four training stages. Besides the basic teaching jewelry manufacture for concepts in gemology, the first stage

14 Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture

encompassed in-depth training in was successful. “Through mutual artisanal and facet cutting. The second support, democratic management and stage focused on jewelry and foundry, in equal rights for all - men and women which the stones finally become jewelry. - the students understood that in a The third and fourth stages covered cooperative their eye or skin color is stone artisanship, where stones are irrelevant, and that it doesn’t matter if a used to create sculptures, and manual person is rich or poor, or if he or she is and 3D design, with which sophisticated related to the Queen of Sheba. Everyone pieces can be created. is the same and enjoys the same rights, duties and responsibilities,” explains The Training Center covers 6,000 square Evandro Ninaut, a Cooperativism meters, 2 floors and 25 apartments. The consultant. “The consultants only sowed idea is to welcome students from all the seed of modern cooperativism in over the country. The Training Center is Algeria. It is up to the students to nurture now under Algerian management, but their tree’s germination and growth until Abragem remains available, if necessary, it bears the fruit they desire”. to expand cooperation between both countries. He also emphasized the significance of the project for young people. “It is very In a recent visit to Tamanrasset in October important for youth to have a different and November 2017, Brazilian specialists vision of the future. This is what leads to concluded that project implementation growth in any region,” he concluded.

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Manufacture and Stone Handicrafts, SAHARAN JEWELRY which was created under the project, 26 Over 500 items of jewelry manufactured students were given additional training by the students from the Training Center in Minas Gerais, with the support of the that was set up in Tamanrasset were Federal Institute of Minas Gerais (IFMG), exhibited in Brazil at the gallery of the which also operates in Ouro Preto. They Industry Federation of the State of Minas improved their skills in faceted cutting, Gerais and at the Du Veloso Mine, both manual cutting, basic goldsmithery, located in the city of Ouro Preto, in Minas jewelry casting, jewelry design and Gerais. stone handicrafts.

The pieces were made of Algerian silver Harilton Sobrinho, president of Abragem, and gemstones found in the Sahara said the exchange was very expedient Desert. The necklaces, bracelets, rings, for the continuity of the initiative. “Since and earrings, among other items, also this mission lasted only ten days, I featured ebony wood from Africa in their believe that the students’ experiences designs. were worthwhile, since those who excelled in the training process in Algeria Aside from improving their career in came to Brazil. I believe that the mission Algeria via the Training Center for Jewelry was successfully accomplished. They

16 Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture

all acquired new skills and improved The host, Ambassador Eduardo the techniques they had learned in Barbosa, and the Minister for Crafts Tamanrasset. of the Algerian Ministry of Territorial Planning, Tourism and Crafts (MOTTA), Irapuã Rodrigues da Silva, a goldsmithing Aicha Tagabu, praised the initiative. teacher, trained the Algerian students However, the excellent results achieved in Brazil. He pointed out the students’ in terms of productive social inclusion enthusiasm. “The training site, which is were mainly attested by the smiles and a historical city in which gold and gems expressions of satisfaction displayed by were mined, stimulated the students the artisans who exhibited their pieces. very much. All the techniques that were Eight of the students in attendance were taught were palpably applied, which women trained by the project. confirms a good uptake of expertise” he said. Simultaneously, another group of Brazilian specialists went on a technical In the year before the Ouro Preto mission to Algiers, Batna, Tipaza and exhibition, the precious items made Blida to assess cooperativism in these by Algerian artisans were exhibited in regions. According to Kleber Damasceno, their homeland. In December 2016, the a consultant in cooperativism, the visit students presented the pieces they highlight was discovering the prestige wrought to the public at the Brazilian that the jewelry sector enjoys locally. Embassy in Algiers, launching a new Impressed with the jewelry exhibition and prosperous window of opportunity sponsored by the project in the Brazilian for the local jewelry craft. Algerian Embassy in Algiers, the consultant authorities, heads of foreign companies stated, “Visitors were impressed by the and members of the diplomatic corps size of the exhibition area, the diversity, attended the exhibition’s opening quality and beauty of the exhibits, and ceremony. the excellence and level of detail of the items”.

foto

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THIS IS JUST THE but also international trade. “We know that this is only the first step. Now we BEGGINNING Algerians need to persevere with this project and make it grow. All we are Project coordinators on both the Brazilian doing here is sowing a seed: it needs and Algerian side delivered the closing to be nurtured and transplanted all over ceremony presentations, showing Algeria,” said the General Director for the successful initiative outcomes that Promotion of Handicrafts of the Ministry unveiled jewelry and stone handicraft of Crafts. sculptures made from Saharan precious The director of the Chamber of Crafts and stones to the world. Besides the historical Skilled Trades of Batna, who attended the innovation, the project also emphasized closing ceremony, noted that a request social inclusion by integrating individuals for the inclusion of Stone Handicrafts who did not belong to the traditional (which were introduced by the Brazilian local jewelry-producing families with cooperation) in the Vocational Training the trained artisans. This culminated in category was filed with the Ministry of the establishment of the first market- Labor. oriented cooperative in Algeria. The Algerian representative also stated Tandarat Bengaoui, one of the project- that the project had given hope and trained artisans, already runs her own brought more self-confidence to artisans. shop, where she sells the jewelry she “If you want to change somebody’s manufactures. Tandarat emphasizes the destiny, give them skills and confidence. importance of being one of the local The main lesson, in my opinion, is that groundbreakers - “I am proud to be the changes have to come from within the first woman to attend the Training Center person concerned. Training is a means and to have paved the way for other from which one can acquire knowledge women,” she declares. and the will to change. All Tamanrasset- According to Benzarour Choukri, the trained artisans know that now they have project’s success opens new doors and a skill and training, all they have to do new horizons for local crafts, which will is decide how to harness and use this reach not only other regions in Algeria, knowledge set,” concluded Choucri.

THE WAY FORWARD One of the major challenges now will undoubtedly be increasing output and marketing finished products. Besides the creation of the cooperative and the support given to artisans in identifying market opportunities for selling jewelry, we must continue to innovate. One of the goals of the Algerian artisans is the continuity of the Brazilian partnership in a potential next project phase, wherein a gemology workshop would be set up. The advantage brought by the new facility would be speed and accuracy in the identification and classification of precious gemstones discovered in the Sahara Desert.

18 Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture

TECHNIQUES

FACET CUTTING The optimization of manual and ancient gem finishing techniques that uncover their beauty and diverse colors, appreciated by thousands of human beings since our earliest days. It is, currently, the technology of cutting precious stones using machinery. The cut stone radiates a brilliance that has captivated men and women of all ages, in all ages.

HAND GOLDSMITHING AND JEWELRY CUTTING SILVERSMITHING CASTING

The art of transforming uncut The art of manufacturing A technique and art wherein gemstones into brilliant facets jewelry from a combination melted wax is fashioned into a using one’s own hands, of precious metals, such as cast for jewelry manufacture. bringing gemstones to life gold and silver, and adding Once the wax hardens, it can through the wisdom and precious stones after casting reproduce the same piece in natural endowment of the to embellish and enhance precious metals hundreds of artist who shapes a gem out human beauty. times of a rough and lifeless stone.

3D JEWELRY ARTISANAL STONE DESIGN JEWELRY DESIGN ARTISANSHIP

State-of-the-art technique, Art of hand drawing a piece It is the art of creating whereby the artist uses a of jewelry based on the sculptures, utilitarian computer program to create observation of nature and objects and adornments hundreds of jewelry designs people. This art form fosters from imagination and visual for the precious metal casting creativity and accuracy in observation out of unhewn industry. all details. This technique stones, both opaque creates designer jewelry. and transparent, using a combination of mechanical and electrical equipment.

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BRAZIL-ALGERIA 2, 1983. Brazil received this request for technical cooperation from the RELATIONSHIP Algerian government in 2007 and, after Friendship and cooperation in negotiations and joint project design, it several areas are the hallmarks of became operational in 2010. the relationship between Brazil and Algeria. From a cultural standpoint, for According to the Abragem chairperson, example, they share a strong bond: Harilton Sobrinho, the idea of exploring architect Oscar Niemeyer designed the Saharan desert gemstones arose two important projects in Algeria - the when the Algerians discovered that Constantine University and the Bab those minerals could be fashioned into Ezzouar University. jewelry. “Algeria has gorgeous stones; we were delighted when we heard that. The “Knowledge Transfer in Gem Many people think that there is only Cutting, Jewelry and Stone handicrafts” sand in the Sahara desert, but that is not project is another example of successful true,” he says. cooperation between the two countries. The initiative was developed within the Another reason behind the partnership framework of the “Basic Agreement was the fact that Brazil is home to the for Scientific, Technological andworld’s greatest diversity in precious Technical Cooperation” signed on stone and is a benchmark in gemstone June , 1981 and enacted on December and jewelry production, while also

Southern Algeria has proved to be rich in beryl, corundum, topaz, piezoelectric quartz, distenium, calcite, zircon, garnet, fluorite, agate, jasper, chalcedony, tourmaline, turquoise, quartz-pink, nephrite, serpentinite and apatite mines.

Beryl The purest beryl stones are colorless, but they may be found in hues of green, blue, yellow, red and white. Some varieties are precious or semi-precious stones. Green beryl, for example, is called an emerald, and the extremely rare red beryl is called a red or scarlet emerald.

Jasper A variety of quartz that is mostly used as decoration. It is opaque to slightly translucent, harboring an immense range of colors, depending on the amount of impurities in it: hematite produces a red color; clays produce white, gray and yellow shades; goethite produces a dark brown color.

20 Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture

exporting approximately one third of its and that the partner country is in a gemstones. position to tailor these Brazilian best practices to its own context, and thereby On the Brazilian side, the ABC/MRE is improve its own institutions in response in charge of coordinating, negotiating, to their local needs. approving and monitoring the activities planned under the project. ABC has over Abragem was created in 2000 to uphold 30 years of experience in international the rights of small and medium-sized cooperation. It fosters the international enterprises belonging to Brazilian gold sharing of knowledge, skills and and silversmiths, stoneworkers, artisans successful experiences of Brazilian and small-scale miners and prospectors. institutions, with a focus on capacity It was in charge of implementing Project development and mutual learning activities. Abragem consists of an among players. experienced technical staff entrusted with delivering specialized consulting The technical cooperation sponsored services and technical training to by the ABC/MRE is grounded in the practitioners in the sectorfor the social principles of South-South cooperation, inclusion of persons of low income in the in which the horizontal approach to labor market. partnerships and non- conditionality, among others, drive the initiatives. All this is done to ensure project sustainability

Turquoise Well known for its sky-blue, bluish-green or yellowish-green shade. It ranges from semi-transparent to opaque and possesses a porcelain luster, while most gemstones display a glassy shimmer. The most valuable of all varieties is compact and sky-blue.

Topaz One of the most traditional gems. Topaz is a prismatic crystal that is colorless or white, yellow, orange, brown, pink, salmon, red or blue. It has a glassy brilliance and ranges from transparent to translucent. Topaz cannot be synthesized on a commercial scale, so it is highly prized.

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Timeline

June 2007 January 2010

Abragem Mission to Algeria to Algerian delegation mission to perform an assessment of the Brazil for final adjustments and Algerian context. The experts project on 28 January at the ABC/ noted the presence of a primary MRE headquarters. trade in handcrafted pieces, although without gemstone inlays, revealing the scant importance given to local gemological material.

February to September to March to May 2016 December 2015 June 2015

Technical training in manual and Training in Goldsmithery Course on Faceted Lapping 3D jewelry design, delivered and Jewelry Casting, held in and Artisanal Lapping, held in to 12 Algerian craftspeople in Tamanrasset. Tamanrasset, with twenty Algerian Tamanrasset. artisans in attendance.

December 2016 December 2016 August 2017

Technical mission to Algiers, Exhibition and sale of jewelry and Technical mission to Ouro Preto (MG) Tipaza and Blida to assess the local costume jewelry produced by for training activities with support cooperatives and obtain inputs for Tamanrasset artisans held at the from the Federal Institute of Minas the creation of a cooperative. Brazilian Embassy in Algiers. Gerais (IFMG). Twenty-six Algerian craftspeople attend the training, improving their skills in: faceted cutting, artisanal cutting, basic goldsmithery, jewelry casting, jewelry design and stone handicrafts.

22 Brazil and Algeria: a decade of cooperation in gems and jewelry manufacture

March 2010 April 2010 May 2010

Abragem Representatives attend Mission to Tamanrasset to deliver “International Seminar on Cut the “15th International Traditional technical support in determining Gems, Jewelry and Stone Handicrafts Fair (SIART)”, held in the required adaptations for reno- Handicraft Production Techniques”, Algiers. Brazil was the only Latin vation of the building where the held by ABRAGEM, in Algeria, with American country to attend the Handicraft Model Training Center about 80 attendees. event. was later installed.

November 2013 May 2013 July 2012 Inauguration of the Training Center Technical mission to Tamanrasset The equipment and machinery of Cut Gemstone Manufacture. to install and test the machinery donated to the Craft Model The ceremony was attended by and equipment donated under the Training Center in Tamanrasset the Minister of Tourism and Crafts, project. arrives in Algeria. Mohamed Amine Hadj Said. The first training course for a class of 20 students is also held during this month.

October to July 2018 December 2017 Final evaluation mission and pro- Training course about ject closure. cooperativism for students from the Tamanrasset Training Center for Production of Cut Gems. The “Tirtit N’Ahaggar” cooperative is established by the students themselves.

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• Training of 80 artisans from several regions of Algeria in the following Main subjects: cutting of faceted and handcrafted gems (20 students); Metalwork and jewelry casting (20 Achievements students); Jewelry design, manual and 3D (20 students); and Stone handicrafts • Implementation of the Model Craft (20 students); Training Center in Tamanrasset; • Training course about cooperativism • Training of skilled Algerian labor for 45 artisans in Algeria; in the jewelry industry and jewelry manufacturing; • Establishment of a cooperative for the production of stone handicrafts, made • Sharing of technologies and important up of 27 students from all segments; industrial innovations for jewelry manufacturing; • A specialization course in jewelry skills for 26 Algerian artisans in Ouro Preto - MG; • Creation of trade and professional associations in the jewelry industry; • Publications and technical materials produced under the project; • Sharing of knowledge in precious gem identification and classification, • Widespread press coverage during contributing to the qualification of local the project, confirming its significance businesses; for Algeria.

24 Benin Promoting Rural Cooperativism | Brazil - Benin International Technical Cooperation

Agroecology and cooperativism are strengthened in Benin Brazilian experts trained Cotonou teachers on how cooperatives and family farming can go hand in hand with sustainability and care for the environment.

Benin is a West African country that and the Federal Institute of Brasília nestles between the Atlantic Ocean to (IFB). The project was co-designed with the south, Niger to the north, Togo to Benin following their formal request for the west and Nigeria to the east. Its over cooperation and was also supported 11 million citizens are spread over some by the Lycée Agricole Médji de Sékou 112,622 km² in an agriculture-driven (LAMS), a public agricultural college 45 economy with enormous untapped km from Cotonou. growth potential. In this scenario, a technical cooperation initiative between The project began when the Beninese the Brazilian and Beninese governments government identified two major intends to foster improvement of policies priority challenges: the need to improve regarding agriculture, which account for their economy’s global and sectoral 38% of Benin’s GDP. competitiveness and the need to afford its population better quality of Porto-Novo is the administrative capital life. As such, the international technical of Benin, while Cotonou is its economic cooperation initiative would comply with hub, boasting a significant concentration Benin’s vision for development. of the Republic’s institutions. Benin’s economy relies on its transit trade. The project’s main goal was Although the economy is agriculture- strengthening vocational education based, it is not very competitive due to institutions in Benin and increasing the the lack of production tools to ensure number of graduates in the world of better quality and bulk. work by promoting cooperative and agroecological practices. The first stage The “Institutional Strengthening of involved capacity building for the faculty Benin’s Vocational and Technological of the Sékou Médji Agricultural School. Education in Agroecology and The second step was the implementation Cooperativism” project began in 2011, of a food-processing center that would under Brazilian Cooperation Agency also be a business incubator to support (ABC) coordination, in partnership with local cooperative projects. the Federal Institute of Bahia (IFBA)

26 Institutional Strengthening of Benin’s Vocational and Technological Education in Agroecology and Cooperativism

Vânia Costa Pimentel, a teacher at CHALLENGES IFB, was the project coordinator in her institution. “Our first mission to Benin Benin’s agricultural production is was in 2011. It was a fact-finding mission characterized by the prevalence of small to design the project according to rural properties and their vulnerability to demands, to the local context. We held climatic phenomena. It also lacks access several meetings with the Beninese to modern technologies to increase teachers to work out exactly what yields and formalize its activities. experience we could share. We realized Agricultural production also occupies a that the school was lacking in teaching significant percentage of the country’s materials and from a pedagogical point workforce, which is why continuous of view. The issues of cooperativism strengthening and growth is so vital. and agroecology were going to be very important. Their agricultural systems were based on the French systems, THE PROJECT since France colonized them. These techniques ae designed for cold climates, The “Institutional Strengthening of although the climate in Benin is tropical. Benin’s Vocational and Technological It was a poorly adapted framework for Education in Agroecology and that region,” explains Vânia. Cooperativism” project began in 2011, with a visit by professors from the The Brazilian teachers realized that the Federal Institute of Bahia (IFBA) and the vocational school students were the Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB) to the children of local farmers and that most Médji de Sékou College. This agricultural of them produced pineapple, the first college is a public vocational school in and foremost local commodity. This was Benin that covers the last three years the starting point for the introduction of secondary education and prepares of agroecology, which promotes the students for higher education. coexistence of agriculture with the local

27 Brazil - Benin International Technical Cooperation

environment. “We worked on pineapple explains. “The first stage consisted of processing. Up to that time it was only teacher training in a six module course. sold in natura, so losses were massive The second stage was setting up the because of high outputs and because business incubator, which is a food the product is extremely perishable. The processing facility. Beninese learned that you can make pulp, jam, juice The course and other long- was tailored to lasting products the social and from pineapple,” Twenty-eight trainers were economic contexts the IFB teacher trained in Benin. They, prevailing in Benin. says. in turn, will pass on their The teachers knowledge to other teachers from the partner The plan was and to LAMS graduates. institutions training the Lycée discussed Agricole Médji de topics such as Sékou teachers Associativism and and making Cooperativism in sure that relevant entrepreneurship, a Solidarity Economy; Agroecological cooperativism and agroecology Principles and Concepts; Strategic knowledge was shared. “Our intention Planning and Entrepreneurship; was to work with the school teachers Agroecology and Social Technology , so they could train students to become Practices, among others. trainers in their own communities,” she

28 Institutional Strengthening of Benin’s Vocational and Technological Education in Agroecology and Cooperativism

The Beninese teachers were asked practical experiences and to bring new to make a verbal defense of their ideas back to their homeland. “We took term papers at the headquarters them to properties that were involved in of the Brazilian Embassy in Benin, the agroecological process. We visited broadcasted simultaneously via Skype a group in Padre Bernardo, from the to the supervising teachers, who were Colônia Settlement, which processes fruit in Brazil and attended the presentations from the Brazilian savannah (known as at the MEC (Ministry of Education) “Cerrado”). This rural community operates headquarters. under the principles of cooperativism. We also went to Fazenda Malunga, an organic farming estate in Brasilia created VISITING BRAZIL by Forest Engineering students, where we focused on the use of alternative The teachers who were trained in Benin inputs and on the support given to local came to Brazil on two occasions to smallholders. It is one thing to be in the supplement the new expertise they had classroom and talk about composting, for acquired. The first group was made up example, it is quite another to see it all of six teachers, and the second group happening on the ground. You can see comprised six other teachers. the challenges and the potential of this type of production system on the ground” After assimilating theoretical knowledge Vânia points out. during the training course, the Beninese visited Brazilian enterprises in the Federal The IFB project coordinator explained District, in Goiás and in Bahia, where that two-way learning has helped the they used the concepts of cooperativism Beninese to have a better understanding and agroecology to learn from their of how agroecology works and

29 Brazil - Benin International Technical Cooperation

appreciate their local products and for local products at the Lycée Agricole the importance of people cooperating Médji in Sékou, where students could within a community. “We tried to show use the skills acquired during training, some experiences that focused on this not to mention obtaining income through approach to social organization. We direct marketing of the items they visited, Coopercuc, in Bahia, for example. produce. The “Business Incubator” was They produce candy, jellies and the housed on the same site as the LAMS like by processing products from the College and received all the processing Caatinga . We wanted them to be aware machinery as a Brazilian donation. The of their own circumstances in Benin. We facility has a food reception and storage tried to make them identify their own local room and a room where area these products, their soil and their marketing. products are sold to the community. This process of learning and building was very rewarding for them and for us. Carlos Alex Cypriano, IFBA teacher and The Brazilian teachers engaged in the coordinator of the People’ s Cooperative process also gained a lot of experience Technological Business Incubator (ITCP), from technical cooperation”. works with extension projects in solidarity economies and people’ cooperativism. He was one of the Brazilian experts who BUSINESS INCUBATOR helped design and set up the Business Incubator in Benin. The second part of the project in Benin consisted of building a processing facility “The food processing facility, as they call it, was equipped from a social and technical point of view, that is, with straightforward and simple equipment that they could use. Sometimes, when you donate sophisticated equipment to a particular place, it breaks down immediately after the first problem because of the lack of technical expertise to repair it. We brought a number of machines that were best suited to local techniques and energy sources. The power supply over there, for example, is both difficult and expensive,” Carlos Alex explains.

According to Mr. Cipriano, it took more than training for local producers to realize the need to appreciate local produce. “The purpose of the business incubator was to not only train graduates in food

30 Institutional Strengthening of Benin’s Vocational and Technological Education in Agroecology and Cooperativism

processing, but also to add value to the GOOD FRUITS produce, making the most of their raw produce. Formerly they only marketed OBrazilian specialists, who returned to fresh produce, but now they can make Benin in 2018, are still monitoring the candy, jams, jams and juices, among project. One of these missions focused others. Dried pineapple is an example. on improving the business incubator’s Besides being easy to make, it enjoys safety systems and delivering training high demand and avoids fruit waste, about boiler operation and maintenance, since pineapples are highly perishable. while the second one delivered training And this facility is also intended as about equipment. The Federal Institute a place to foster local smallholder of Bahia (IFBA) was in charge of these initiatives. activities.

PROCESSING

Processing local produce can bring many positive social changes to the communities involved. Tomato is a good example. Many local smallholders live off seasonal fruit production. The tomato season lasts only four months, but demand is high all year round, since it is an ingredient in many Beninese dishes.

“For example, we set up an interesting An IFBA teacher visited Benin twice to project with tomatoes. It could be teach LAMS technicians about boiler replicated in other Beninese colleges operation and maintenance of business with excellent acceptance, and this solve incubator machinery. Another IFBA the challenge of a product that is widely specialist delivered training in operation used in Beninese cuisine, but which is of additional business incubator seasonal. In the off-season, the price machinery. 11 teachers from LAMS and of tomatoes increases thirty-fold. The other local colleges were trained over a project envisions that canned tomatoes one-week period. would solve two problems. Firstly, it would eliminate a great deal of waste, Currently, LAMS continues to train since a significant part of crops are students and teach about cooperativism lost during harvest. Secondly, it would and processing. Their diverse processed provide a highly sought-after product all product portfolio includes tomato sauce, year round at a much more affordable pineapple jelly, pineapple juice, chili price,” says Carlos Alex. sauce and chili pepper flakes.

31 Brazil - Benin International Technical Cooperation

“Agroecology was welcomed in Benin, first part of the project’s final evaluation. as were the principles of cooperativism, The increased interest in vegetable that were already place since colonial processing due to the project was times, but which are now implemented confirmed. The old building where the in the context of solidarity economy. The students had classes is currently under latest news we have is that the project renovation and enlargement. is still assisting in the creation of new cooperatives and that this cooperation, Another important aspect that was this green revolution, is on the rise in reported was the interest in replicating Benin,” concludes the IFBA teacher. the positive experience acquired during the project in other colleges. The In November 2018, a team made up Government intends to set up business of teachers from IIFB, IFBA and ABC incubators in vocational colleges across representatives went to Benin for the the country, regardless of location.

LAMS The Lycée Agricole Médji de Sékou agricultural college currently has roughly 1,500 students (30% of them women) and 100 teachers. It specializes in some agricultural activities such as plant and animal husbandry, food processing, reforestation, fishing and soil preparation. In the Food Processing facility, spe- cial attention is given to food preparation operations from corn, cassava, pineapple and sugar cane crops. The average course duration is 4 years, bringing together theory and practice, through complementary training with internships in agricultural companies.

32 Institutional Strengthening of Benin’s Vocational and Technological Education in Agroecology and Cooperativism

Agroecology Agroecology is agriculture practiced from an ecological standpoint. It prioritizes the conscious use of natural resources, while respecting and preserving them throughout the production process - from farming to the distribution of products.

Agroecology is an alternative to alleviate the problems arising from the traditional agricultural model, which causes a decrease in biodiversity, offering sustainable choices that allow continuous use of the land for farming purposes.

Green Revolution Agrochemicals Sustainable development has Plants Agroecology does not require changed the mindset about the needs the use of pesticides nor of the present generation without soluble chemical fertilizers. compromising the generations to come. This movement is based on economically viable, socially just and ecologically correct development.

Cycle: All life forms in an agricultural cycle Microorganisms are important: Birds

Minerals History Basil Bensin, a Russian agronomist, first used the word ‘agroecology’ in 1928. The transition to this new concept, however, is recent and harks back to the point where farmers Developments began to understand that pesticides, which Agroecology research has evolved harm nature, could be replaced by practices into approaches that continue to that respect and protect the environment empower producers to work in an and provide a better quality of life for both environment-friendly manner, such consumers and farmers. as studies on biodynamic agriculture, natural agriculture, ecological agriculture, organic agriculture and agroforestry systems.

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Pineapple processing

Pineapple is one of the most important products in the Cotonou region. Traditionally, small local producers sold fresh pinea- pples. Teachers from the agricultural vocational college learned how to process this fruit in the technical cooperation between Brazil and Benin. Processing is the act of transforming a primary product into an industrialized product with higher added value.

Processos: • The LAMS food processing facility receives, sorts, washes and stores the fruit; • Pineapples are fed into different processing equipment, de- pending on the desired final product; • Pineapples can be processed into pulp, juice, jam, preserves, jelly and dehydrated fruit, among others; • Processing not only adds value to the raw material but also avoids waste and extends shelf time.

Waste use and treatment: Leaves, stalks and peel account for approximately 50% of the total raw material weight which is discarded in the basic fruit processing process. This waste is not suitable for human con- sumption, but it can be used as source material for composting or animal feed. Composting, one of the most widely employed concepts in agroecology, produces an ecologi- cally correct soil fertilizer that can be used in ve- getable gardens and crops.

34 Institutional Strengthening of Benin’s Vocational and Technological Education in Agroecology and Cooperativism

Learning in Brazil

The Beninese teachers first visited Brazil in 2013. They saw businesses that fos- ter cooperativism and agroecology first-hand:

• Malunga Farm (agroecological production - Brasília/DF) • Cerrado Permaculture Institute (Pirenópolis/GO) • Caxambú Community (family agroecological production and artisanal agroin- dustry - Pirenópolis/GO) • Colônia I Agrarian Settlement (agroecological production - Padre Bernardo/GO) • MASSAE (agroecological production - Taguatinga/DF) • Coopersuc Cooperative (Salvador/BA).

The second visit to Brazil brought the teachers to other projects:

• IFB agro-industrial processing unit (Brasília/DF) • Mama Gê (Sauce and jelly production - PAD-DF) • Alimentos Primavera (vegetable processing- Brazlândia-DF) • DESIFRUT Agroindustry (dried fruits - Sobradinho dos Melos /DF) • Delícias da Primavera Agroindustry (jellies - Samambaia/DF) • Rainha das Pimentas (chili pepper jellies and sauces - Lago Oeste /DF)

Main • Technical training of teachers regar- Achievements ding processing machinery.

• Training of teachers of the Lycée • Construction of a Food Processing Fa- Agricole Médji de Sékou agricultural cility (business incubator) at the Lycée college; Agricole Médji de Sékou Agricultural College; • Tailoring agroecology and coope- rativism techniques to the Cotonou • Training of 25 teachers from the Lycée context; Agricole Médji de Sékou agricultural college, corresponding to a specializa- • Sharing industrial technologies and tion in agroecology and cooperativism; innovations that are significant for agroecology and cooperativism; • Creation of a center for dissemination of techniques and support for smallhol- • Sharing of knowledge in foodstuff der local producer cooperatives. processing;

35

Botswana “Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable | farmers “ Project. Brazil - Botswana International Cooperation “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

Stronger together Technical cooperation project involving Brazil and Botswana empowers small producers in Kweneng North to strengthen local agriculture through cooperativism.

One of the fastest growing countries in with horticulturists to strengthen the the world in the last 50 years, Botswana local agriculture. lies in a landlocked semi-arid region in southern Africa. It has managed to The Botswana terrain, which borders increase its per capita income by over South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and a hundred fold in half a century. A Zimbabwe, is flat and up to 80% of its former British colony until 1966, when surface is encompassed by the Kalahari it became independent, this small Desert, which is subject to long-running republic has focused on areas such droughts that may last years. This may as mining and ecotourism, whilst still explain why this nation is one of the harboring an economy largely rooted in most sparsely populated in the world, subsistence farming, practiced by most with just over two million citizens. of its population. This is the background for the “Institutional Strengthening of Botswana is home to ecological parks the Cooperative System in Botswana” and precious stone deposits that have project, a technical cooperation initiative boosted the economy internationally, between Brazil and Botswana with the making it the fourth largest in Africa. On purpose of implementing a pilot project the other hand, farming is the mainstay

Subsistence agriculture engages the largest share of rural populations in Botswana.

38 “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

of it’s rural population, according to the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security (MDASA) which also records a high rate of unemployment among rural youth.

Considering this scenario, the government of Botswana sent an official request for technical cooperation to Brazil, to foster agriculture-related activities, which are considered one of held a very negative view of the main drivers for fighting poverty and cooperativism. “It was thought that increasing GDP by the United Nations. cooperativism was a communist practice. It was only in the mid-1980s The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), that some African governments began to in partnership with the Organization understand, allow and even encourage of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), met cooperativism. The fact that legislation their demand. A delegation arrived on cooperatives in Botswana only in Gaborone in 2010 to identify jointly became law in 2011 illustrates this point. with the Botswana authorities how Incentives are usually directed towards they could contribute to strengthening alleviating poverty, eradicating hunger Botswana rural cooperativism, a topic and promoting social development. And that was chosen by all the stakeholders we identified that the best model for that in the Technical Cooperation project that kind of situation was cooperativism. would subsequently be undertaken. One of the major challenges for “The inaugural fact-finding mission to Botswana is that most of the food they Botswana, in 2010, identified the state consume is imported, mainly from South of affairs of the local context”, says João Africa. The Botswana government’s Marcos Martins, Institutional Relations way out was to plan to strengthen local Analyst at OCB. “This assessment production, which, if properly developed, intended to identify the stakeholders could begin to feed the population with and confirm the demand submitted their own crops. by Botswana. Within the framework of South-South cooperation, Brazil seeks to optimize local potential without any cultural disturbances. It is a political THE PLAN articulation process and an economic, scientific and technological exchange The site chosen by MDASA and the with developing countries”. Botswana Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) was Kweneng North. According to João Marcos, Botswana It is one of the nine districts in Botswana,

39 Brazil - Botswana International Cooperation “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

close to the capital, Gaborone, and Training began the following year its vegetable and legume yields are in Botswana. Experts from the OCB good. The project aimed to spread the and from the National Cooperativism concept of cooperativism among local Learning Service (Sescoop) delivered the farmers, promote sustainable vegetable cooperative management and legislation production and identify the best courses in March 2015, at which time economic opportunities to replace and/ several producers in the region realized or reduce imports. that they would be strengthened if they worked together. The goals that were The first step was taken in Brazil. In 2014, set for the three expected outputs were 20 Botswana nationals visited Brazil to achieved: dissemination of knowledge kick off the project. At the very outset, about the tenets of cooperativism, about 10 Botswana government leaders and the operation of cooperatives and the producers from Kweneng North learned Brazilian cooperative system, and about how a cooperative works. By the end the theoretical and practical experiences of that year, another 10 Botswanans, in world and Brazilian cooperativism. including representatives of the Ministry The legal and practical requirements of Agriculture and producers from for setting up a local cooperative for Kweneng North, also visited Brazil for marketing fruit and vegetable products further training. “The courses were were also addressed. taught by OCB in partnership with Embrapa, which tailored the training “In 2014 we were visited by 20 according to their actual context, which Botswanans and the following year we is production in a drier climate and in a trained an even larger group. About less costly way,” explains João Marcos. 50 people, including government representatives, local producers

40 “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

and teachers from the Cooperatives directors was established,” declares the Technical College, attended these OCB expert. courses. And this provided the incentive for them to start their own cooperative,” The Kweneng North Horticultural says João Marcos. Cooperative was born, the first of its kind in the region. It soon gained a foothold in the Botswana market and achieved important milestones. “Since most of IMPLEMENTATION Botswana’s food comes from abroad, the government privileges local production At project closure, local producers that over imported produce. So much so that had been trained in vegetable production the Kweneng North Cooperative won a and the organizational management of public bid to supply the Botswana Army cooperatives were asked to draw up exclusively,” says João Marcos. a model plan for a model horticulture cooperative. The plan proceeded as The size of the Kweneng North expected. Horticulturists’ Cooperative is modest in relation to potential markets. In the “The good thing about a cooperative is beginning, there were ten smallholder that the government cannot interfere. It members - the number depends on must be a free enterprise. A cooperative the dynamics of the cooperative. needs a supervisory board, an ethical Nevertheless, the idea is that other board, the chairperson must be elected cooperatives will arise and reduce and all the members are given the their reliance on imports progressively. same decision-making power. This “The cooperative model matches their stage of the capacity building project circumstances quite well and may be led to the creation of a cooperative, by implemented in several areas. Over the Botswanans. This cooperative was time, several cooperatives will also be registered in 2016, its headquarters able to compete with the large South were built on the property of one of the African producers who export goods to cooperative members and the board of Botswana.

41 Brazil - Botswana International Cooperation “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

would shape this second project stage. At that opportunity, we determined the main objective, which is to increase the cooperative’s market shares in Botswana”, André explains.

Representatives from ABC and OCB returned to Botswana in October 2018 to design and write the project. Three expected outcomes were identified because of the stakeholder meeting and the renegotiated cooperation. SECOND STAGE The first is strengthening cooperative management tools; the second is the The first project stage, which was improvement of farming techniques; and completed over three years (2014- the third is related to project monitoring 2017), brought significant advances in as a whole. To this end, new partners the sector, but technical cooperation must come onboard. The improvement did not end there. The effort to of managerial skills will be in charge of strengthen cooperatives in Botswana the School of Cooperativism Technology is now entering a new three-year (Escoop-RS), while the Federal University juncture, starting in 2019. This second of Viçosa (UFV-MG) will be responsible stage will focus on challenges in crop for the technical aspects. ABC and OCB management, and on management and are still in charge of monitoring. The marketing of the cooperative’s produce, new project still lacks some finishing as explained by André Gustavo Barros, adjustments and the partners will only be an ABC project analyst who took part of determined after the new cooperation the May 2018 mission, when the need stage is duly signed. for a new project stage was identified.

“In 2017, we reconnected with our partners in Botswana and confirmed the pertinence of a second stage. While the first stage culminated in the creation of a cooperative, continued cooperation is justified by the need to strengthen this cooperative’s managerial skills. We went back to Botswana to ratify the renewal and engaged in an exercise with the project’s stakeholders using a participatory methodology. The idea was to establish the guidelines that

42 “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

TEAMWORK

These Botswanan smallholders’ achievements of are already palpable, and teamwork boosted local produce yields and marketing. “Their assessment of the first project stage was very positive, as was ours,” comments João Marcos. “The cooperative was set up as expected and their results are excellent. is a regular participant in “Market Days”, They achieved all this, including the a government-sponsored initiative that contracts, without any interference from brings several producers and their anyone. In other words, the cooperative cooperatives together to market their stood on its own two feet. The economic produce directly to individuals and to and social results are beyond positive.” public institutions, placing the producers in direct contact with the end customer. André Gustavo believes that these achievements should indeed be The main foodstuffs grown by the celebrated, but that expertise from cooperative are: pumpkin, chard, lettuce, OCB and ABC can still be instrumental potatoes, sweet potatoes, beetroot, in strengthening family agricultural broccoli, onions, carrots, cabbage, citrus production in Botswana. “It is difficult to fruits, watermelon, chili pepper and quantify the Botswanans’ benefits from tomato. this technical cooperation altogether, since the process is ongoing and we During a visit by a Brazilian delegation are halfway through the work. However, from ABC and OCB to three properties the gains so far are straightforward. in Kweneng North, the producers’ high They quickly built bigger headquarters level of commitment to the initiative was after a renovation, a more professional visible. There are still many challenges, infrastructure and developed an such as those concerning harvesting, excellent strategy for recruiting partners. storage and suitable distribution of A case in point is the exclusive supply of food, diversification of the products vegetables to the Botswana Ministry of they grow, the cost of inputs and market Defence.” penetration, but the Botswanans believe that they are on the right track towards employment generation and boosting the income of local smallholders. This ACHIEVEMENTS is why they have drawn up a strategic management plan for the next eight The cooperative also succeeded in years. selling their produce to retail chains. It

43 Brazil - Botswana International Cooperation “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

“Despite the fact that our country has a It is important to emphasize that Brazilian small population of two million people, technical cooperation does not impose we know that we can reach them with any models to be applied in the partner our products,” declared Kagiso Nkago, country, but rather shares its know-how the Cooperative’s chairperson. “Today, so that each country can tailor it to their much of our food comes from South own circumstances. Furthermore, Brazil Africa, but we know that we can feed our does not engage in transferring financial own people. Agricultural cooperatives resources through technical cooperation are an important means of cutting initiatives, it transfers expertise and best production costs. practices through the specialized skills of Brazilian state-owned institutions. Kelebonye Tsheboeng, Director of the Department of Agricultural Trade at MDASA in Botswana, believes her country cannot rely solely on the THE POWER OF diamond industry. “Minerals are finite. Agriculture is not. We want people to BOTSWANAN WOMEN embrace agriculture and support the rural economy. I’m sure this project is The Kweneng North Horticulturists’ contributing to this end,” she added. Cooperative currently engages several local producers, some of whom are Brazil is presently the country with women. Sarah Mosarwa, 44, deputy the largest number of cooperatives chairperson of the cooperative, is worldwide and is a benchmark in the also in charge of sales and marketing. management of this type of association. As an electrician with Botswana’s By creating jobs, cooperatives help public-private electricity company reduce poverty, promote food security (Botswana Power Corporation), the and increase incomes and quality of life young entrepreneur owns a small-scale in rural areas. ten-hectare property along with her

44 “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

husband, who is an electrical engineer. members to potential buyers. “We She says she has decided to invest in haven’t yet got where we want to be, but agriculture as an alternative source of we know we’re on the right track,” she income so that in the future can become concluded. her primary source of income. Women play a leading role in the The cooperative’s headquarters and the Kweneng North Cooperative. According storage facility for the products it sells are to the chair of the association, they temporarily housed on Sarah’s farm. The are essential for bringing producers cooperative’s certificates of association together. “We wouldn’t have gotten this and marketing authorization are proudly far if we hadn’t worked with women. displayed at the small headquarters. Everything runs more smoothly under Along with the visual identity they their care,” said Kagiso. “What we need created for the cooperative, there is also now is more members. There are about information material. 45 smallholders in Kweneng North and we really want them to join the “We came together as a cooperative Cooperative too.” because of the challenge of penetrating the markets here in Botswana. The Another cooperative member is large retailers always managed to lower Boipuso Ndabamb, a 52 year-old retired the retail price of products because primary school teacher. As Cooperative they purchased individually from each Secretary of the Board of Directors, she producer who, because of their desire feels motivated by her new career and to sell, ended up undercutting their final owns 3 hectares of land. “After retiring, price. We now have more bargaining I thought of something I could invest in power through the Cooperative. We are to bequeath my children. I am building stronger together,” she declared. my future and their future with the Cooperative,” she added. Her investment in horticulture began in 2015, when she and her husband built an irrigation system for the crops that pumps water from the borehole at the estate. The system’s efficiency is impressive and it can withstand the several months of drought that the country faces annually. Besides vegetables, Sarah also raises chickens, rabbits, ducks and goats.

She has created a portfolio to sell the products on behalf of the Cooperative, in which she presents each of the foodstuffs cultivated by the cooperative

45 Brazil - Botswana International Cooperation “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

THE SEED OF knowledge acquired through this COOPERATION technical cooperation project with Brazil will be relayed to other cooperatives In Botswana, cooperative agricultural nationwide through the Botswana practices were not common. Nevertheless, Cooperative Association (BOCA). For the government has gradually taken Marang Motlaleng, the diplomat tasked action to encourage producers to with supporting the project on behalf of exchange experiences on the subject. the Botswana Ministry of Foreign Affairs According to the chair of the Cooperative, and Cooperation, “Brazilian cooperation there are cultural aspects that still is not circumscribed to the governmental hinder more farmers from joining. Besides opposing membership The Cooperative has been operational since fees, which are December 2017 and currently includes about 10 the association’s members, 6 of which are men and 4 are women. source of funds for its activities, there is also some uncertainty surrounding the future of agriculture in milieu and reaches the people. Before Botswana. the initiative, there was competition among local farmers. Today, there is The government of Botswana runs a collaboration,” Motlaleng emphasizes. Cooperative Training Center, which offers free training to anyone interested Mmadima Nyati, Deputy Minister at in setting up their own cooperative MDASA, agrees with the idea that associations. According to the Center, cooperatives represent a means of there are about 270 cooperatives in empowering Botswana citizens. “ People Botswana and there is a widespread can be heard better when are together, consensus that agriculture is the most better they than if they were alone. We important area for securing employment are facing high unemployment rates right for young people living in rural areas. now. Therefore, this project has come at the right time. The Kweneng North According to Motse Otlhabanye, Cooperative will be a benchmark for all MITI’s Director of Cooperativism, the the others in Botswana.”

46 “ Institutional strengthening of the cooperative system in Botswana based on a pilot project with vegetable farmers “ Project.

The social process of cooperation has been in existence for thousands of years. Back then, survival was secured through collaborative work Cooperativism that strengthened the community. Contemporary cooperativism is not that different.

Pioneers: In 1844, 28 weavers (27 men and 1 woman) came together in a city in England to buy their supplies together and thereby obtain lower prices. Known as the Pioneers of Rochdale, they established the following seven guiding principles of cooperativism, which are still in use today:

1 Voluntary membership: co-operatives are open to anyone, as long as they are in accordance with the cooperative’s social objective.

2 Democratic management: despite having an established board of directors, all members enjoy the same decision-making power.

3 Independence: the cooperatives are a joint-stock company, controlled by the members themselves, without interference from any authority.

4 Economic participation: members are required to contribute to the capital and share the revenues if they are greater than the expenses.

5 Training: cooperatives invest permanently in promoting education The first cooperative initiative in Brazil and training in their members’ cooperative and technical began in 1889, in Minas Gerais, with environments. the establishment of the Economic Cooperative of Ouro Preto Civil Servants 6 Exchanges: besides fostering training, the members also need to - which focused on the purchase of pass on the knowledge they acquire. agricultural produce.

7 Community action: cooperatives are usually concerned with the welfare of the community, pursuing their development and self-sustainability.

Main Achievements

• Capacity building about cooperatives for • Food supply contracts between the 20 Botswanan representatives in Brazil, cooperative and the government; delivered by Embrapa; • Knowledge sharing about cooperatives • Capacity building on cooperative to inform other local smallholders about management and legislation for over the importance of supporting each other; 50 Botswanans, between government representatives and local producers, in • Arrangements for further cooperation Kweneng North; between both countries to be implemented between 2019 and 2021, • Creation of the Kweneng North also within the framework of Institutional Horticultural Cooperative; Strengthening of the Cooperative System in Botswana.

47 Timeline

2010 2014 2015

ABC and OCB mission to Bot- Representatives from Botswana More than 50 Botswanans swana identifies local challenges travel to Brazil on two occasions to take part in training courses on and establishes the subject of learn more about cooperativism. cooperative management and the future technical cooperation regulation delivered by the OCB in project, in collaboration with the Kweneng North. Botswanan government. They agree to establish a Cooperative in the Kweneng North region, near the capital.

2018 2017 2016

In new missions to Botswana, Kweneng North Horticulturist Producers come together to experts from ABC and OCB secured Cooperative wins a public tender establish the Kweneng North a new stage of the technical for exclusive food supply to the Horticultural Cooperative, the first cooperation project to continue Botswana Ministry of Defense. in the region. strengthening the cooperative movement in Kweneng North. The second phase of the initiative should involve further capacity building and is expected to run for three years.

48 Senegal Support for the PAIS Project in Senegal | International Cooperation Brazil - Senegal

Agroecological farming in Senegal

Brazilian-African partnership brings infrastructure and know-how to small family farmers to generate income and jobs

Senegal, which is located in West Africa and Environmental Studies, was launched. borders the Atlantic Ocean, Mauritania, The project shared Brazilian technical Mali, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, has knowledge about the agroecological been investing in agriculture as a growth farming system with Senegalese driver since it became independent experts. As a result of its successful in 1958. In the last two decades, the implementation, agroecological systems Senegalese government began pushing became public policy in Senegal. new concepts and increasing incentives for this sector, which can potentially It is important to state that most of decrease unemployment, increase the Senegalese working population exports and attain self-sufficiency in food is employed in agriculture and animal production. husbandry. Nevertheless, the sector is essentially subsistence-based and According to the African Development climate-dependent. Senegal also enjoys Bank, the African continent represents a varied agrarian spectrum due to its 65% of all arable land on the planet, and pronounced biodiversity and because of this can contribute to the food needs the variety of farmers employing different of billions of people worldwide in the production techniques. coming decades. Nevertheless, there is a persistent need to upgrade technical The first Brazilian mission to Senegal for expertise and have access to utilities such the project took place in 2012. In Senegal, as water and electricity. experts from ABC, Emater-DF and the Institute for Social and Environmental In this setting, in response to a demand Studies worked on the project design for received from the Senegalese government, Integrated Sustainable Agroecological the “Support for the PAIS - Integrated and Production and used the concept of the Sustainable Agroecological Production- PAIS system, as Camila Guedes, a project Project” technical cooperation initiative, analyst from ABC, describes: coordinated by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), in partnership with the “The Institute for Social and Environmental Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Studies had developed an agroecological Service of the Federal District (Emater- polyculture methodology in partnership DF) and with the Institute for Social and with the Banco do Brasil Foundation and

50 Support for the PAIS Project in Senegal

SEBRAE, whose layout was mandala- as part of the food chain, the so-called shaped. The same farm produces PAIS social technology. This approach can vegetables, fruits, fish and poultry. The result in a food production strategy based PAIS system was very well accepted by on the principle of family food security, the Senegalese government and 11 model with opportunities for income generation initiatives were implemented in Senegal,” from the sale of surpluses. says Camila. The PAIS social technology was inspired The “Integrated Sustainable Agroecological by the work of smallholders who chose to Production (PAIS)” system assimilates farm in an environmentally friendly manner. simple agricultural production techniques The methodology integrates simple based on models used by smallholders. techniques that are already known to It teaches low-income families how to many rural communities to minimize social produce environmentally sustainable and and environmental impacts and help them profitable crops on their farms using locally acquire skills that are in harmony with the available resources. The idea behind the precepts of sustainable development and project is the integrated farming of animals, shared and participatory management vegetables and fruits with a cyclical processes. approach to production and its residues

Tailored Mandala PAIS is a low-cost social technology that is based upon the organic approach to farming, shunning conventional methodologies and encouraging farmers to set up a polyculture–type farm.

This system is known as a “mandala”, since its layout is laid down along the lines of concentric circles that integrate Boreholes are essential for vegetable faming and animal continuous water supply, husbandry. Small farm animals, since Senegal is prone to such as free-range chickens, are drought. Local power supply in the center plot. The chicken is also patchy, so the well manure is fertilizer for the vege- pump is powered by solar tables and their eggs are either panels. sold or for family consumption. The vegetable beds circle the chicken coop.

51 International Cooperation Brazil - Senegal

to the Local Context The Senegalese government The scope of action was then designed, determined the regions and the specific in each unit, along four axes: Horticulture, farms in which the Project would Poultry, Fruit farming and Fish farming. be implemented and the Brazilian government supplied the expertise, The artesian wells and the solar-powered layouts and capacity building for these pump solved the problem of extracting PAIS units. “We started off with a fact- water and now service the families and finding mission to each region. The the different farming activities on the most important local challenges were smallholdings. In terms of vegetable power and water supply. We had to farming, the production of eggplant, drill boreholes and water pumping was pepper, onion, pepper, tomato, cassava, assured with solar power,” says Camila. watermelon, corn, okra, melon and sweet potato was quickly established. Fish farming was also brought onboard. Dual purpose breed, laying and broiler Fishery ranks among Senegal’s most chickens were introduced. In each unit profitable commercial activities, so 50 fruit tree seedlings (mango, citrus, including it in the PAIS system was banana, coconut, papaya and soursop) only natural. In Brazil, we normally were planted and fish production find layouts in which there is a central with tilapia fry was introduced. Some chicken coop and radiating vegetable smallholders also benefited from beds. In Senegal an alternative layout refurbishments, which resulted in was chosen for some farms where fish improved living conditions. tanks replaced the chicken coops. “The Federal District Technical

52 Support for the PAIS Project in Senegal

Assistance and Rural Extension Service stock of 130 chickens. He now intends (Emater-DF) was an important partner, to reach a thousand birds. Mafoudji’s especially in the matter of fish farming, family consists of four people who today that is, in building tanks for fish farming,” envisage a new future in agriculture. affirms Camila. “One of the project’s major achievements, however, was The other ten PAIS system units were that it brought back a Senegalese set up in different locations in Senegal, tradition which had been forgotten including Kaolack, Diourbel, Saint Louis over time, namely that of growing crops and Thiès. In the latter, Mamadou Sene surrounding the homesteads. That’s grows eggplants, tomatoes, corn, onions why the initiative became a government and peppers. With this income he is now policy in Senegal.” reinvesting in his farm and still satisfies the needs of a 14-child family. According On the Senegalese side the Ministry of to M. Sene, after establishing the PAIS Foreign Affairs (MRES) and the National system he stopped wasting money on Agency for Agricultural Integration and medications, never got sick again and Development (ANIDA) supported the began to “spread joy”. project. Several representatives were trained both in Brazil and in Senegal to implement the project besides the smallholders, through capacity building in construction of water tanks, agroecological systems and PAIS system farming.

A New Life All the smallholders concerned were very It is important to bear in mind that the pleased with the initiative and reported farmers were a key project component. that their quality of life improved after They were effectively involved in every acquiring know-how through the project stage and the Brazilian specialists and through the facilities that were set strove to share their knowledge while up on their farms. In Dakar, they changed respecting local knowledge and customs Mr. Mafoudji Soné’s life. of the community. Since they were engaged in decision-making, the farmers Mr. Soné started producing eggplants, themselves were in charge of showcasing peppers and sweet potatoes. His their results to their neighbors, which chicken farming also excels with a multiplied project impact.

53 International Cooperation Brazil - Senegal

A Public Policy In August 2017, the Brazilian government sent these institutions to Senegal on The outcomes of this technical a new ABC mission to strengthen the cooperation were so successful that technical capacities of those farmers the Senegalese National Agency who were involved in the first stage for Agricultural Integration and and implement 20 more system units in Development (ANIDA) translated the Senegal. Brazilian initiative into a government policy. The PAIS system will now be The Senegalese secured subsidies from implemented in other regions so the other countries to set up a new PAIS unit system can help leverage family farming between the end of the first project stage in Senegal. and the beginning of the second stage. This new unit was designed along the “ANIDA began to get many demands same lines as the other 11 that had been regarding this project, which benefits previously established. An agrovillage both family livelihoods and the was founded with ten producers, who economy, since the surplus production were responsible for 1 hectare of land is marketed,” explains Camila, who also each. The project will offer technical highlights other achievements under the support for agroecological production initiative. “Since the system consists of and economic management to these ten four axes, PAIS produce is generated all agrovillage smallholders even before year round. Previously, they would only the new 20 units are created, since farm during the rainy season and for the income generation is essential. rest of the year they would be compelled to go to the city to look for jobs. With According to Luiz Carlos Lima, professor these axes, which are seasonal and of economics and vice-chancellor at the distinct, we found a way for the family to UFRRJ, who was also part of the August remain on their farms all the time”. 2017 mission, these producers received the infrastructure from European The Senegalese government’s desire countries and are operating smoothly, to extend the original project (that ran but are aware that Brazilian technical between 2012 and 2015) resulted in a training remains vital, especially with second stage, which began in July 2018. regard to sustainability. “Since the Now their goal is to extend the initiative for a further three years and strengthen the concept of agroecology among Senegalese smallholders. The new stage will be implemented in partnership with the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), with the Association of Biological Farmers of the State of Rio de Janeiro - Abio and with Pais Agroecology Consulting.

54 Support for the PAIS Project in Senegal

will help them set up a cooperative. It is cheaper to purchase inputs jointly or hire machinery for soil preparation, for example. Over time, they can buy trucks to improve the marketing of their products, which today are only traded with middlemen and dealers,” says Luiz Carlos.

The new cooperation project was initiative became a government policy, signed in July 2018 and three months they have a three-month subsidy later Brazilian experts went to Senegal and, afterwards, a banking credit with to visit the farms where the new PAIS an annual interest rate of 7% / year. system would be installed and make an According to estimates, the people assessment. The project is scheduled who work in this agrovillage will need to begin in March 2019 and should be a subsistence salary and funds for completed by mid-2021. During this fertilizers, tillage and rental of tractors, period, ten first stage farms will receive among others, at each crop cycle. That technical assistance, and another is to say, they need to master production 20 farms will be established with a management and generate an income distinctive feature: capacity building that is equal to or higher than this bank in rural economy, so farmers will learn loan so the project remains sustainable,” to quantify their production costs and he explains. profits.

The agrovillage built after the first “We also want to implement an organic project stage is round, but unlike the first food certification system, with the 11 facilities that were implemented, this support of the Rio de Janeiro Association village brings several farming families of Biological Farmers. These projects’ together. This could lead to another produce will have a competitive benefit, Cooperativism. “Such closeness advantage, with participatory

55 International Cooperation Brazil - Senegal

certification. Senegal also allows for the implementation of an integrated system, possibility of an organic seal, but the such as PAIS, but with an agroecological costs to achieve it are high. Participatory approach and introducing a series of certification is internationally recognized guarantee mechanisms based on a very and Brazil already benefits a lot from it,” well-established experience in Brazil”. says the ABC Project Analyst. Anelise says that the issue of health According to Anelise Dias, from the promotion through food is important UFRRJ Agronomy Institute, the second worldwide and has proven to be a stage will strengthen what was done in change maker in the market. “Organic the first one and introduce a competitive produce has added value that exceeds advantage that may contribute to a shift in built in nutritional values. The market is the Senegalese agricultural market. “This increasingly focused on this type of food second stage will be the implementation and this will be an amazing innovation of these new PAIS system units and for Senegal. the training of local stakeholders in agroecological farming and the creation of a Participatory Guarantee System (SPG), which is a mechanism for organic Outcomes Exceed certification, something that is still Expectations lacking in Senegal. The idea is to have market access with a unique product,” The Senegal project has had very positive says the teacher, who also visited results. For example, the beneficiary families’ Senegal and is involved in the project. average income increase of over 60%. In “This new stage’s outlook is based on some cases, this increase reached well over the organizational aspect, which is the 200%.

56 Support for the PAIS Project in Senegal

Another striking institutional aspect was that also aims to encourage young people to ANIDA, which represents the Senegalese return to rural areas, where they can now find government, decided to adopt the PAIS a niche in this new agroecological farming. system model as a public policy. It intends And job creation should also prevent other to implement the methodology nationwide. Senegalese youth from immigrating,” clarifies Luiz Carlos. The initial situation of the participant communities was high-risk, with no Finally, after the first project stage, a multiplier prospects of income from their small farms. effect seems to have been achieved. Since Most families relied solely on the four rainy the farmers who were directly involved months per year to grow a fraction of their in the project showed improved income food, which, in most cases, was not enough and nutrition, it was observed that many for their survival during most of the year. This surrounding communities began to adopt led to young people’s relentless pursuit of some of these practices. In a number of employment in big cities or even abroad. other cases, smallholders managed to boost their poultry husbandry businesses and With the project’s achievements, families forge partnerships that led to income and are generating income by farming on their employment generation in communities that properties, besides guaranteeing their own were not involved in the first project stage. livelihoods throughout the year. “This project

To value family farming and its various organizational models, and to encourage the involvement of stakeholders in the production and marketing processes;

To produce clean and healthy food;

To implement an agroecological production system;

To promote sustainable and solidarity-based rural development, highlighting environmental, social, production and marketing experiences;

To promote the visibility of generational and gender policies (women, youth and senior citizens);

PAIS GOALS PAIS To bring economic and social returns, thereby generating income for the community;

To offer means for women, men and rural youth to remain in rural areas;

To promote job and income generation policies, improving the communities’ quality of life.

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Togo “Institutional Support to the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA)”Project | Brazil – Togo International Cooperation

Increasing cassava yields in Togo Technical cooperation between Brazil and Togo shares cassava planting, harvesting and processing techniques with African experts and producers

Togo is a geographically limited challenges they face is low yields due to country that brings people from the lack of modern farming techniques. different backgrounds together. It is an Cassava is one of the most widely grown African nation, which shares borders foodstuffs in Togo, and was therefore with Burkina Faso, Benin and Ghana. chosen as the target crop for project Located in western Africa, Togo has activities. been heavily dependent on agriculture since its independence in 1960, both in “The main source of carbohydrates in terms of trade and of subsistence. The Asia is rice, while in Europe it is wheat, Togolese government has therefore and in the United States potatoes and taken a critical interest in this issue and corn. In Africa, for the most part, it is has approached Brazil for technical cassava,” explains Laércio Duarte Souza, cooperation in agriculture, an area that, an Embrapa researcher and the technical when developed, has the potential to coordinator of the Institutional Support alleviate poverty in rural areas and to Project for ITRA. “Cassava is more widely promote food and nutrition security. cultivated in Togo because it is practical, because it survives in degraded soils and Against this backdrop, the Brazilian because it withstands drought, among Cooperation Agency (ABC), the Brazilian other factors. Rudimentary techniques Agricultural Research Corporation are usually enough to achieve a certain (Embrapa) and the government of Togo output. But we noticed that many launched the “Institutional Support to Togolese who produce cassava are the Togolese Institute of Agronomic constantly striving to increase yields and Research (ITRA)” project, signed in reduce production costs”. 2009, which was designed to update their local cassava farming practices for the purpose of rural development and job and income generation in Togo. The first technical cooperation mission to Togo took place in November 2010, The Togolese national economy relies when Embrapa experts assessed the on agriculture as a primary source of situation after receiving a demand income. Cassava, cotton, corn, fruit, from the Togolese government. “Togo coffee and cocoa are cultivated in the is not that large, so I was able to southern lowlands. One of the main see most of it while visiting the main

60 “Institutional Support to the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA)

cassava production areas. Three types for us which are of great use to them,” of producers were identified: basic, says Laércio. medium sized and developed. The more advanced kind worked exclusively for Besides Laércio, Francisco Laranjeira the starch industry, and nevertheless and Carlos Estevão Leite Cardoso, they were facing hardship. Local superintendent of the Technology smallholders are not able to produce as Transfer Management division, also they should,” continues Laércio. coordinated the training courses. They were tasked with presenting Embrapa’s The baseline assessment also facilities to the Togolese and with working uncovered problems of unfamiliarity with on topics such as “Economic aspects of some common farming techniques and cassava production”, “Soil management the lack of disease-resistant cassava and conservation in cassava culture”, varieties. The experts and researchers “ Plant heath protection measures of the Togolese Institute needed to and pest control alternatives”, “Post- undergo training, so the first course was harvest management”, “Production and designed for five ITRA technicians, all of transformation of agricultural products”, whom were directly involved in cassava “ Seed analysis” and “Cassava cultivation techniques in Togo. processing”.

The experts from the Togolese Institute also learned about the Brazilian cassava FIRST STEPS research and development program. They visited Embrapa Manioc and The first courses were delivered at the Embrapa Fruit Farming research fields Embrapa National Center for Cassava and went to places where cassava and Fruit Research (CNPMF) in Cruz is marketed, such as the Municipal das Almas-BA, in June 2011. “Five Market, the rural area surrounding Cruz ITRA technicians, which is Embrapa’s das Almas and the COOPATAN and sister institution in Togo, learned about COOPAMIDO cooperatives (all of which minimizing losses during harvesting work with practical plant health and and processing, and about strategies plant science aspects and in the use of to increase transportation efficiency. cassava in animal feed ). These are straightforward techniques

61 Brazil – Togo International Cooperation

SOWING ELSEWHERE Brazilian cassava varieties The courses in 2011 were the first step brought to Togo in sharing Brazilian expertise. Two years • BRS Tapioqueira later, in August, ABC and Embrapa held • BRS Rosada another training course, now on African soil in the capital, Lomé. The goal was • BRS Caipira to train Togolese experts about the • BRS Verdinha physical, physiological and plant-health • BRS Mulatinha aspects of cassava seeds, an initiative • that complied with the government’s BRS Dourada policy of upgrading domestic agriculture, which would also improve cassava culture in Togo. the new cassava varieties, but also from other types of training that During their first visit in 2011 the have contributed to upgrading Togolese were fascinated by the production. These included “Laboratory diversity of Brazilian cassava and hoped practices”, “Tissue culture and cassava to take them to Togo. The project gained micropropagation”, “Isolation of cassava a new dimension: the introduction meristems”, “Acclimatization techniques, of genetic material. “It was not a micropagation and meristem extraction” simple assignment, though,” Laércio and “Accelerated cassava propagation”. Duarte recalls: “Introducing genetic “Embrapa technicians went to Togo material from one country to another to train local specialists on how to is a complicated process, because it receive this material, handle it without cannot harbor any pests or diseases. any contamination, multiply it using Moreover, the Togolese must be trained biotechnology and, in the end, transport to use this material. It took two years it to the farms. This new course at ITRA to build a laboratory that offered the was attended by 25 people. When the right conditions, and the material only material was ready to be sent to the reached Togo in 2013. farms, another Embrapa technician returned to Togo to provide assistance,” After the laboratory was built, ITRA says Laércio. was able to benefit not only from

Cassavas BRS Mulatinha e Cassava BRS Rosada Verdinha no campo

62 “Institutional Support to the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA)

Propagation of cassava species The relocation of Brazilian cassava to Togo consisted of three different phases: micropropagation, weaning and grafting.

1 Micropropagation This is where variety microcuttings are reproduced in vitro to achieve a satisfactory number of plants. A certain number is kept in the in vitro collection and another undergoes the process of relocation to the farms. Micropropagation enables balanced in vitro plant growth under ideal li- ghting, temperature and humidity conditions. This in vitro plant renewal activity was repeated quarterly to conserve the collection throughout 2012 and 2013. All this was done so the plantlets could undergo a weaning process in 2014, when they could be relocated to the farms. Weaning 2 It only takes two to three months of plant growth to bring them to the weaning stage. Two restrai- ning techniques were used: A) wooden tray and B) disposable plastic cup.

• The tray propagation technique consists of removing the in vitro plants from the tubes and trans- planting them into a solid substrate, where they will be irrigated with a nutritive liquid, the Shive and Robbins nutrient solution. After preparation, the in vitro plants are arranged on a wooden tray, on which a film of water is poured to produce moisture saturation.

• The use of a disposable plastic cup for weaning was one of the techniques used by Brazilian researchers during their visit to Lomé, where they were involved in training about analysis of the physical, physiological and sanitary quality of cassava seed in 2013. Two different size transparent plastic cups are placed in such a way that one covers the other. The weaning substrate is made from vegetable soil that was previously moisturized with water and then sterilized. The in vitro plantlet is removed from the test tube and placed directly in the vegetable soil within the smallest cup. The cup is immediately sealed with the largest cup, which acts as a lid.

The grafts in the farm After their development, the plantlets (popularly known as seedlings) were transported and planted in the farms with 50 x 50 cm spacing. With regular watering, insecticide treatment and leaf fertilization once every two weeks, favorable conditions 3 for rapid seedling development were created.

63 Brazil – Togo International Cooperation

The cassava varieties that were chosen In September 2016, the Brazilian were Tapioqueira, Rosada, Caipira, experts returned to Togo to finalize the Verdinha, Mulatinha and Dourada. project and to evaluate the technical There was also a specific training that cooperation. According to Armando addressed vegetative propagation in José Vieira Filho, a project analyst at vitro, called “micropropagation”, and the ABC, the benefits were significant for adaptation of these laboratory-produced both sides. seedlings to natural conditions when they are transferred to the farm. “The introduction of new varieties allowed them to interbreed with local varieties and obtain high quality starch. They increased their genetic repertoire. CONSOLIDATING THE The ITRA technicians were also trained in several plant analysis techniques, WORK such as molecular analysis, cassava analysis, seed analysis, pests, diseases, In July 2014, ABC, Embrapa Cassava and in short, a result that will bear fruit for Embrapa Fruit and vegetables continued the Institute,” Armando emphasizes. “In their training activities. Under Embrapa’s addition, they learned state-of-the-art tutelage, new Togolese experts came techniques for planting cassava and to Brazil to strengthen their expertise this will be replicated with local farmers, in cassava planting, harvesting and improving cassava production in Togo processing. overall”.

After visiting the Bahian unit facilities According to the ABC analyst, the and the Cassava Technology Center, cassava market in Togo grew after the the Togolese visitors were trained in project was launched. “The experts’ cassava-specific skills. The technical visit visit to Brazil was very productive, since ended with a visit to cooperatives and they witnessed several new methods enterprises in the Vitória da Conquista of processing cassava, such as chips, region in Bahia. flour, tapioca. They learned about these processes and saw enormous potential for their local market, developing ideas that they can put into practice in Togo and that hadn’t been realized until then”.

The second evaluation stage in Brazil occurred in Cruz das Almas (BA) from June 4 to 9, 2017. The meeting between the ITRA experts and the Brazilians was meant to wrap up the evaluation stage In Brazil, including interviews with technical experts, researchers and the

64 “Institutional Support to the Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research (ITRA)

2017, was so rewarding that these two countries really shoud come together for new project, says Laércio Duarte. “They were very happy with the progress in their production system, where over 30 experts were trained, a fully functioning laboratory was set up, new genetic material was cultivated and new processing techniques were applied. However, they also pointed out management team from Embrapa and shortcomings regarding industrial and ABC, and to begin negotiations for the economic aspects. It was at that point second project stage. that the second stage of the project came to mind. The Togolese demanded it and After interviewing the technical team are now awaiting further negotiations.” engaged in the first stage a project overview and the Togolese requests for “Stage II - Cassava Production Systems Component” were presented. The Outcomes The group also visited laboratories and experimental fields in Laje (BA), and the The new cassava varieties were planted local street market in Cruz das Almas. in Togo between December 2014 and March 2015. Now new seedlings can be This technical cooperation initiative, produced and distributed nationwide. which began in 2009 and ended in

65 Brazil – Togo International Cooperation

BRAZILIAN LEARNING

The main goal of a technical cooperation project like this one between Brazil and Togo is always the development of the requesting country, which requires techni- cal support. Nonetheless, those who teach always end up learning.

During genetic material sharing for Togo, the Brazilian experts who monitored the entire process and trained the Africans realized that a local pest was extremely harmful to cassava and it was essential for future prevention in Brazilian agricul- ture.

“Brazil also benefited significantly from this technical collaboration. The African mosaic virus is an example,” explains Armando José. “We put six new varieties in Togololese soil and four of them did not survive this virus. It is highly resistant in Brazilian species. The Embrapa experts realized that if this virus reaches Brazil, it could wipe out cassava production.

Embrapa researchers were aware of the African mosaic virus from academic re- search. Immediately after the seedlings were planted in Togo, the virus was diag- nosed. This changed the work we were doing and the Brazilian experts obtained more technical knowledge for Embrapa.

• Perspective of joint Brazil-Togo Main research about a Brazilian variety that proved to be resistant to the manioc Achievements mosaic virus (a disease that has not yet reached Brazil) - Preventive controls in • ITRA technicians trained in planting, agriculture; harvesting and processing cassava; • Ability to receive in vitro genetic • Development of analysis techniques material; for both plants and pests, and of biotechnology; • Construction of a Laboratory;

• Technology transfer and laboratory • Setting up a new technique innovations; multiplication center, which benefited Togolese cassava producers. • Procurement and introduction of new genetic material, which supported cassava varieties crosses and a better product;

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