Recent Activities

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

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.

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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. 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.

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MyTIPS at International Mycology Congress (IMC12) 2024

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.

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FC-SSA at Science and Partnerships for Agriculture Conference 2024

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.

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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

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FC-SSA Project Introduced to Ten New Villages

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.

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Restoration of Kpeoussobé Sacred Forest

This Friday, July 12, 2024, a team from the FC-SSA project undertook, in close collaboration with the project beneficiaries, the reforestation of the sacred forest of Kpeoussobé in Sinaissiré. In total, 513 seedlings of Isoberlinia and Afzelia africana were transplanted. This initiative is part of the objectives of the FC-SSA Project, which aims to restore the project’s beneficiary forests with 3,000 ectomycorrhizal species each year. The population, very committed, mobilized in large numbers to ensure the success of this activity.

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FC-SSA at the Climate Diplomacy Academy 2024

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.

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Announcement of final defense : A new Dr. for MyTIPS

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.

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

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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FC-SSA at the International Biodiversity Day

Exhibition of biological specimens as part of the National Week of Biodiversity. Unfortunately, fungi are missing in the collection of National Forest Office. But fortunately, MyTIPS is present to showcase fungi and to bring their voice at the table.

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FC-SSA at the AYC on Natural Resources and Environmental Governance 2024

From May 2-4, 2024, FC-SSA project team member Wilfrid Adjimoti participated in the African Youth Conference on Natural Resources and Environmental Governance in Accra, Ghana. This event brought together young people passionate about natural resource governance and environmental protection, from countries such as Ivory Coast, Benin, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Africa and Sierra Leone. Mr. Adjimoti took this opportunity to promote the FC-SSA project to participants. A kakemono presenting the project was on display, allowing visitors to discover the objectives and achievements of this initiative aimed at preserving and restoring forests. Flyers were also distributed, providing detailed information about the project. The FC-SSA project thus continues to gain visibility and build potential partners across the continent.

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Edible mushrooms on the front page of national newspapers

Published this Monday, April 29 in the newspaper “Le Matinal” under the title « Edible mushroom sector in Benin », the publication addresses the issues and challenges of an under-exploited gold mine. According to Professor Yourou, Director of MyTIPS in the publication, Beninese forests are full of more than 800 species of which more than fifty have high nutritional value. Promotion of this resource involving the population from harvest to consumption will enable to value these mushrooms.

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Launching of the book « Champignons comestibles d’Afrique de l’Ouest »

On April 5th, 2024, the University of Parakou hosted the launch of the book « Champignons comestibles d’Afrique de l’Ouest », a collaborative effort between the Meise Botanical Garden and the MyTIPS research unit. This nine-chapter work comprehensively explores aspects of West African mycology, ranging from the climates influencing fungal diversity to the illustrated descriptions of edible species, including their cultivation, valorization, and identification. Its publication serves as a further step in the ongoing initiatives focused on conserving the rich fungal biodiversity in sub-Saharan Africa, of « Fungal Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa » Project.

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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.

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Exploring Project Impact: Field Insights from FC-SSA Beneficiary Villages

From March 28th to 29th, 2024, a team from the FC-SSA Project undertook a visit to villages benefiting from the project. During these two days of visits, the team engaged in discussions with women from the beneficiary villages to gather their experiences in establishing nurseries. Capacity-building program has been also organized for women on strategies for fungi habitats conservation, such as permaculture. This direct interaction enabled for a deeper understanding project impact on local community livelihood. The team visited also Babazaoré community forest and the Papatia botanical garden.

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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.

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FC-SSA Project Field Mission: Nurseries Established and Plaques Installed

From February 26 to March 3, 2024, a field mission was carried out as part of the FC-SSA project. The team consisted of Mr. Wilfrid Adjimoti and Apollon Hegbe. The objective of the mission was to establish nurseries and install plaques bearing the project’s image in several localities. The sites involved for nursery were Tassigourou, Tamendé, Papatia and Babazaoré. During this mission, over 3,500 seeds of native species, including Monotes kerstingii, Afzelia africana and Isoberlinia, were planted in the newly created nurseries. Local populations actively participated in these activities. Plaques with the FC-SSA project name were also installed in seven forests involved in the project. This action aims to mark the project’s presence and get local communities involved. The team would like to highlight the warm welcome received in each town and the residents’ active mobilization around these different activities. The FC-SSA project appears to be well accepted and supported by the concerned populations. The mission took place according to schedule. The objectives were successfully achieved.

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FC-SSA Engages with Conservationists at Benin CHM awareness Session

Wilfrid Adjimoti, a team member of the FC-SSA Project, attended an awareness campaign organized by the Benin CBD Focal Point on ‘’CHM development project using the Bioland tool and Biodiversity in Benin’’ at Borgou Forestry Inspection on Monday, January 29, 2024. During the session and through two different presentations, the CBD Focal Point presented the history of CHM and the use of the new Bioland server. It is also an opportunity for Wilfrid to engage in advocacy efforts by interacting with local NGOs, conservationists, CBD focal points of Benin, as well as foresters about the FC-SSA Project. Additionally, he utilized this opportunity to disseminate project description flyers and presented some of them to the attendees.

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Post-plantation maintenance of Afzelia africana seedlings and nursery installation

From December 23rd to 25th, 2022, we carried out two major activities. The first activity involved weeding and creating firebreaks around the seedlings that we planted in August in five target villages of our Project. After collecting all the seeds from the local communities, the second activity involved setting up nurseries in these villages. In total, 4000 pots were filled by seventy women and ten men. The project also provided these dedicated women and men who support the project with the necessary equipment the nuseries care

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