A new way of farming in Sanfina: Ibrahim Embarks on green agriculture

Kankan, Guinea – In the rural district of Sanfina, in Upper Guinea, Ibrahim Diakité, a returnee, is restoring agricultural land with his group, the Association des Jeunes Ouvrons les Yeux (AJOY). Driven by a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture, Ibrahim has rallied young people around him, including young women, to build an ecological and inclusive initiative in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This project is having an impact beyond borders, in the run-up to COP29 discussions on climate change.

Upon his return from Libya, Ibrahim initially embarked on a collective saponification project. However, differences between the participants quickly scuppered the initiative, and the adventure came to nothing. Rather than being discouraged, this experience eventually became a driving force for him. Ibrahim then turned to agriculture, seeing in it a greater potential for success.

Working with other returnees and community members, he started farming two years ago, beginning with sesame and rice. Although these first attempts did not achieve the expected results, mainly due to a lack of experience and adverse climate conditions, the members of the group persevered. Thanks to support from the CinemArena project, they were able to redirect their efforts towards growing maize, which is better suited to local conditions.

Through this project, Ibrahim and his team grow maize without chemical fertilisers, under the guidance of Mr Baldé, a specialist agronomist. They apply green farming techniques, motivated by ecological and economic convictions. Their fresh maize sold at affordable prices to women of the community at the local market, and their dry maize for local farmers, help to strengthen the region’s circular economy.

The AJOY project employs six members, returnees and community members, including two women, and works with several others to sell maize. This model offers an economic alternative to young people and encourages women’s participation in the sales channels. The partnerships established with local cooperatives and the Kankan Chamber of Agriculture enable AJOY to increase its productivity and benefit from agricultural equipment, which is essential for the project’s sustainability.

This project has benefited from structuring support through the CinemArena programme, an IOM initiative that uses itinerant cinema to raise community awareness about the risks of irregular migration and local development opportunities. Thanks to this programme, Ibrahim and his team have been able to acquire practical skills and technical support to maximise their chances of success in organic farming. At this critical context of climate change, AJOY’s model of resilience and sustainability has particular resonance with the COP29 discussions. As world leaders gather to strengthen climate commitments, Ibrahim’s example shows how local initiatives can, not only foster self-sufficiency but also play a crucial role in combating climate change. Ibrahim is an example of African youth determined to build a sustainable future for their communities and contribute, in their own way, to the global goals of resilience and sustainability.