| Titre : | Agroecological Transition within the Living Lab PK-17 in Nouakchott, Mauritania |
| Auteurs : | M. El Assaad |
| Type de document : | Thèse, Mémoire, Master |
| Année de publication : | 2025 |
| Format : | 60 p. |
| Note générale : | Master 2 Thesis. Economics. Programme: Territorial agricultural development, environment and modelling [DATEM]. Co-accreditation University of Montpellier, Institut Agro Montpellier, CIHEAM-IAMM, co-diploma Faculty of Agronomy - Lebanese University, CIHEAM-IAMM. |
| Langues : | Anglais |
| Langues du résumé : | Anglais ; Français |
| Catégories : |
Catégories principales 06 - AGRICULTURE. FORÊTS. PÊCHES ; 6.4 - Production Agricole. Système de ProductionThésaurus IAMM SYSTEME DE PRODUCTION ; AGROECOLOGIE ; ZONE SEMI ARIDE ; ZONE PERIURBAINE ; MAURITANIE |
| Résumé : |
Agriculture in semi-arid regions is affected by water scarcity, climate change, and soil degradation (Cosmas et al., 2025). In peri-urban regions, the same problems are found, along with others such as land fragmentation, insecure tenure, and competition for water resources (Neergaard et al., 2009). Agroecology offers a suitable approach for semi-arid and peri-urban agriculture, as it strengthens adaptive capacity to water scarcity and climate change, while improving soil health and ensuring more sustainable land use (Bezner Kerr et al., 2023). In Nouakchott, Mauritania, both issues of semi-arid and peri-urban agriculture are combined (Theresa El Chahrouk El Maalouf, 2023), the farmers work on very small and sandy plots with the low fertility of soil and irregular access to water; which fragilize their production systems. This study carried out within the NATAE project, focuses on the Living Lab PK-17 in the commune of Riyadh in Mauritania. Our objective is to explore the potential for an agroecological transition.
Performance of different types of farms in the Living Lab was evaluated, using a set of agroecological indicators (ecological, economic, and social). Two types of farming operations were identified: supported farmers, who receive government support; and unauthorized farmers, who are independent, without land rights, subsidies, or any cooperative structure. Two improvement scenarios were selected from the reports of the participatory workshop already organized in this region with local farmers: polyculture and composting. Data for the indicators came from household survey and expert consultations. Results show that current monocropping systems are highly vulnerable, with low water use efficiency, poor soil quality and little economic returns or profits. Polyculture improves crop diversity and food security but requires higher inputs such as more labour. Composting was recognized as beneficial for the fertility of the soil but farmers don’t have enough technical knowledge and face high costs for its adoption. Overall, the study shows that agroecology offers real opportunities, not a big transformation but gradual improvements for PK-17 agriculture since it faces several limitations in these regions because of the gaps in knowledge, labour constraints and lack of supportive policies. A successful and significant transition in peri-urban Mauritania, will require greater access to training, stronger collective organization among farmers, and more support from the government. |
| Nature du diplôme : | Mémoire (Master 2 DATEM) |
| Université de soutenance : | CIHEAM-IAMM |
| Ville de l'université de soutenance : | Montpellier (France) |
| Cote : | Réservé lecteur CIHEAM |
| Directeur de Thèse : | Bourceret A. |
| Membres du Jury : | Bourceret A.; Darwich S.; Belhouchette H.; Fall C.S.; Kleftodimos G.; Farah J. |
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