FC SSA

  • Fungal Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa:
    sustainability and livelihood implications

Nom de l’auteur/autrice :Nonssou

Awareness session, Exhibition

Exclusive Interview with Prof Yorou: The FC-SSA Project and Fungi Conservation in Daabaaru Newspaper

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Mushrooms are crucial for the stability of forest ecosystems and play a vital role in the well-being of communities. However, they are often overlooked in conservation efforts. This is the driving force behind the FC-SSA project, which aims to provide data on mushrooms and offer policy recommendations to ensure their inclusion in conservation strategies, as mandated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The project also aims to raise awareness about habitat conservation across sub-Saharan Africa. It operates in Birni, Perma, and Koutouponga in northern Benin, as well as in Zimbabwe. In an exclusive interview with Daabaaru Newspaper, the project Leader, Prof. Yorou stressed the importance of preserving mushrooms and called on policymakers to explicitly integrate them into environmental management and protection plan

Awareness session

Establishing a Protected Area: Collaborative Efforts for the Preservation of the Kota Waterfall Ecosystem in Northern Benin

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From September 11-13, 2024, a team from the University of Parakou visited Natitingou to launch discussions on creating a protected area around the Kota Waterfall. This initiative, supported by local authorities, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders, aims to safeguard the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of the region while addressing pressing environmental threats. During the mission, the team met with municipal and village leaders to explore the ecological importance of the site and its potential for job creation, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. However, several challenges were identified, including land ownership issues, water pollution, and the impact of illegal gold mining.Despite these challenges, the mission concluded with strong support from local stakeholders. The next steps include presenting the project at the Administrative Conference, engaging local communities in the conservation effort, and exploring sustainable solutions to the region’s mining activities. This mission was part of a broader conservation project funded by the Darwin Initiative, focused on preserving the biodiversity of edible mushrooms in Sub-Saharan Africa. The establishment of a protected area at Kota will contribute to safeguarding the region’s natural and cultural assets for future generations.

Awareness session, Capacity bulding

Capacity Building: FC-SSA Trains Women Beneficiaries in Mushroom Production

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From August 20th to 21st, 2024, the FC-SSA project organized a training session on edible mushroom production for 10 women. The training was conducted by Azize Boukary, a PhD student at MyTIPS, University of Parakou. Coming from three villages (Tassigourou, Papatia, and Sinaissiré), the participants were trained in substrate selection techniques, pasteurization, inoculation, and given a brief explanation of seed production. Highly committed and determined, these women paid attention to the training, which offers them a new income-generating activity while helping to reduce poverty and gender inequalities. It is important to note that this training is part of a series of training initiated by the FC-SSA project.

Exhibition

MyTIPS at International Mycology Congress (IMC12) 2024

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The MyTIPS research group from the University of Parakou, Benin, made a strong impression at the 12th International Mycology Congress (IMC12) in Maastricht, held from August 11-15, 2024. Represented by researchers including PhD candidate Affoussatou Tabé, Dr. Boris Armel Olou, and Prof. Nourou Soulemane Yorou, the group excelled, particularly during a special session on African Mycology. With eight oral presentations and two posters, their work on pathogenic and mycorrhizal fungi was recognized as a model of collaboration and innovation, significantly enhancing Benin’s global standing in tropical mycology.

Exhibition

FC-SSA at Science and Partnerships for Agriculture Conference 2024

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Wilfrid Adjimoti, a member of the FC-SSA project, participated in the « Science Partnership for Agriculture 2024 » conference held from July 29 to 31 in Kigali. During this event, he delivered a presentation entitled « Exploring women’s land access challenges, and the importance of secure tenure for economic and social empowerment. » In his presentation, he highlighted the FC-SSA project’s initiatives as a promising solution to address women’s land access issues and emphasized the socio-economic benefits of the project. He also took the opportunity to distribute project flyers to some participants. The FC-SSA project continues to gain visibility worldwide.

Capacity bulding

MYCOBLITZ Summer Course 2024 in Benin

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Funded by VLIR, the « MYCOBLITZ » summer course took place from July 3 to 20, 2024, in the forests of Wari Maro and the Upper Ouémé in Benin. Organized by the University of Parakou and Ghent University, this training brought together 12 young researchers from seven tropical African countries (Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Togo, and Guinea). The aim is to train these researchers in the use of modern molecular tools, such as nanopore sequencing technologies. With innovative equipment like the Bento Lab and MinIon, they receive hands-on field training. This MyTIPS initiative contributes to strengthening the capacities of young mycologists in sub-Saharan Africa

Activities, Awareness session

FC-SSA Project Introduced to Ten New Villages

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As part of the FC-SSA project’s beneficiary expansion, a dedicated team presented the project last week to the authorities and local communities of ten newly villages (Koka, Koré, Koubirou, Makrou-Wirou, Ablodé, Kouandaka, Koupeiko, Fouctoum, Yakabissi, Yaoukossi). During this meeting, a detailed overview of the project’s objectives, activities, and expectations was provided. The local communities, turning out in large numbers, warmly embraced the initiative and pledged to collaborate closely with the project team to ensure the preservation of their forests. This enthusiastic response underscores the strong commitment of the communities to support the project’s goals.

Exhibition

FC-SSA at the Climate Diplomacy Academy 2024

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Wilfrid Adjimoti from the FC-SSA project participated in the « Climate Diplomacy Academy 2024 » in Kenya from June 17 to 21, focusing on climate change and natural resources. This event provided him the platform to share various initiatives by the FC-SSA Project aimed at conserving fungal diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the five-day conference, he also raised awareness about the crucial role fungi play in biodiversity preservation, emphasizing their significance to fellow participants.

Science

Announcement of final defense : A new Dr. for MyTIPS

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On June 13th, 2024, Kassim Issifou Tchan successfully defended his doctoral thesis on West African forest soil mycobiome and its functional diversity for controlled indigenous tree regeneration. He received the highest honors, marking a significant achievement in tropical mycology research. As the 5th doctoral graduate from MyTIPS in four years (2020-2024), this success highlights the lab’s commitment to academic excellence and cutting-edge research. This accomplishment not only demonstrates MyTIPS’ leadership in the field but also promises positive impacts on indigenous forest regeneration in West Africa.

Fields activities

National Tree Day in Benin: The FC-SSA Project Upholds the Tradition

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The FC-SSA project (Fungal Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Sustainability and Livelihood Implications) once again made a significant impact on National Tree Day in Benin. On June 1, 2024, the village of Koborou witnessed a reforestation initiative led by the project staff, in collaboration with the local NGO REDERC, local communities predominantly represented by women, and officials from the water and forestry department. This initiative is an integral part of the project’s program to restore degraded natural habitats of mushrooms, which is a key objective of the FC-SSA project launched a year ago.

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