The 400 m2 community garden of the women’s association of Nabissou is found in the neighborhood of the same name in Parakou.
The garden was formed in 2006 and originally had 5 members. Given the group’s positive results, several new women have since joined the group, which now has 21 members, all of whom are adults. The group has a president, a treasurer, three organizers, a secretary, and the remaining women are all normal members. This group came into contact with Slow Food for the first time in June 2015 thanks to the Association of Volunteers for Lasting Development (AVD) of Benin.
The crops benefit from the presence of wells that are used to water the plants. Some of the crops grown here are peppers, “crincrin”, cabbage, tomatoes, eggplant, okra and legumes, all of which are local varieties grown only during the dry season. The garden is managed by the group that cultivates it. The produce that is harvested is in part consumed by the members and another part is sold. The revenues are used to buy new gardening materials or to help group members financially to send their children to school.
The soil is fertilized using traditional techniques: both manure and compost made on site. The women fight off insects with natural methods and conserve their seeds for future years.
Area
Nabissou neighborhood, 3rd arrondissement, Parakou, Borgou
Coordinator
Vianio Kougblenou
