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Fungal Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa:
sustainability and livelihood implications
Capacity Building: FC-SSA Trains Women Beneficiaries in Mushroom Production
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.
MYCOBLITZ Summer Course 2024 in Benin
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
Discussing Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Targets in Parakou
On April 3, 2024, We participated in the workshop « Disseminating the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Consulting with National Stakeholders for a Better Revision of the NBSAP of Benin. » It was an opportunity to interact with the political and administrative authorities of the Parakou town hall, the Ministry of Living Environment, Transport, and Sustainable Development, the CBD focal point, representatives of local NGOs, and researchers from the University of Parakou. We discussed target 2 of the KM GBF, aiming to restore at least 30% of ecosystems by 2030, and target 3, aiming to protect 30% of terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems by 2030. These exchanges aligned well with our project, one of whose core objectives is habitat restoration.
Capacity Building through Permaculture: Insights from the FC-SSA Project Training
On March 25 and 26, the MyTIPS laboratory hosted training on Permaculture, covering its principles and applications. Led by Ghian from Permaculture Association, a collaborator of the Fungal Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa Project, this session involved 30 students. During this training, participants explored the importance of permaculture in preserving the sustainable environment, its practical application, as well as techniques such as water filtering. Additionally, special attention was paid to mushroom production. The session concluded with the delivery of certificates to the participants, thus being part of the capacity building efforts of the FC-SSA project.