In Morocco and Benin, in poorly mechanized and poor agricultural enterprises, droughts and weakened ecosystems destroy crops and threaten food security and incomes. In Canada, farmers are facing more frequent extreme weather events such as droughts, hail and ice. The project aims to characterize the vulnerabilities of smallholder agricultural businesses and develop adaptation options, while equipping farmers with tools to reduce climate risks. The initiative is led by Principal Investigator Diane Pruneau, of the University of Moncton and brings together 8 agricultural or agroforestry cooperatives and 16 Canadian, Moroccan, German and Beninese researchers (respectively in engineering, economics, hydrology, agronomy, forestry, biology, geography, climatology, pedology, education). 

Framed by design thinking, a participatory approach focused on the needs of farmers, cooperatives from Morocco, Benin and Canada will share in sub-groups (women, men, adolescents) their vulnerabilities and the adaptations already implemented. The cooperatives of the three countries, in tandem with the scientific team (Canadian, German, Moroccan or Beninese or Benin) will then look for solutions to increase their resilience. Digital tools will facilitate the process: Facebook groups (for exchanging solutions and experiences), webcams (to see situations), drones and GIS (to detect nutrient deficiencies, water stress, etc.), “immersive” serious games (to simulate possible adaptation measures on the phone). Regenerative, community-based and nature-based solutions will be shared between participants from the three countries and scientists. Incorporating the best solutions found, adaptation measures will be tested on 8 local plots (the “Shared Gardens”) and then discussed between the international participants. A multi-criteria grid co-constructed with the cooperatives will evaluate the measures implemented and the “The Most Important Change” technique will detect improvements in skills and practices.  

Solutions that are appropriate in the context of these smallholders will emerge from the project, through exchange of knowledge and the use of prediction tools: design thinking, drones, GIS, webcams, Facebook group for problem solving, and serious games. To disseminate winning practices, training programs will be offered to agricultural associations, in collaboration with government organizations. Finally, the participants will discuss with local elected officials’ policies related to agriculture and agroforestry.