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Watering of pots by women from Coopérative Batiri in Sanekuy. Credit - Aly Diarra

Empowering women to regreen Sanekuy, Mali: The Batiri Cooperative's vital role in the Anw Ka Siguida project

The Anw Ka Siguida project in Mali, with its ambitious goal of reclaiming 10,000 ha of forest, pasture, and agricultural land, relies heavily on the dedicated efforts of local women. Central to this initiative is the production of 3.5 million seedlings in nurseries, a task predominantly undertaken by women members of nursery plant production cooperatives.

One exemplary group contributing significantly to this mission is the Batiri cooperative in Sanekuy. Despite initial delays, these resilient women produced an impressive 80,060 seedlings between May and July 2024. Their work forms a crucial part of the project’s 2024 nursery production target of 600,000 seedlings, distributed across various nursery sites.

The women of the Batiri cooperative are not only nursery workers; they are environmental stewards committed to reversing the adverse effects of climate change and human actions on their environment. This commitment is reflected in their impressive seedling production achievements and their determination to support regreening efforts.

Among these dedicated women are five charismatic leaders whose vision and leadership drive the cooperative's success. They express heartfelt gratitude for funding this vital project. This support comes at a crucial time, as the impacts of climate change become increasingly severe, affecting them and their children.

Their story is a powerful testament to the positive impact of community-driven environmental initiatives. It underscores the importance of supporting and empowering local women as key agents of change in the fight against climate change.

Written by Aly Diarra. For more information on this Darwin Initiative Extra project DAREX009, led by Tree Aid, please click here.