I was born and raised in the heart of the fields at the dawn of African independence. At that time, our parents farmed the land without knowledge of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or tractors. Their lives were simple, sometimes difficult, but our food was naturally healthy, from the earth to the table.

There was then a deep, almost sacred pact between our ancestors and their environment: the nourishing forests, the generously flowing rivers, the backwaters teeming with life, the protective hills… This alliance was an integral part of our balance, including our spiritual balance.

The gradual disruption of this harmony, a consequence of our human actions, has given rise to the major climate challenges we face today. The urgency is such that inaction is no longer permissible; each of us must seek and adopt ecological solutions within our reach.

It is in this spirit that the “Grain d’Espoir – Jigiya” project is based. This project opens an essential path for the villages of Mali: that of an agroecological transition. Driven by a true community social dynamic, this initiative, whose name in Bambara was chosen by the villages, aims to establish:

Sustainable food self-sufficiency, based on natural fertilization and endogenous crop protection, on living and regenerated soils.

Preserved and dynamic biodiversity, essential to the balance of our ecosystems.

Accessible and natural health, thanks to knowledge and practices beneficial to every farmer, every citizen.

As part of World Environment Day, Sahel 21 – a subsidiary of Terre Sans Frontières, reaffirms its commitment to Malian communities.

Together, let’s cultivate these seeds of hope, renew this vital pact with nature, and build a healthier and more resilient future for the Sahel.