LE PROJET RUSSADE (FED/2013/320-115) : OBJECTIFS, ACTIONS REALISEES ET RESULTATS OBTENUS

The main goal of the project RUSSADE (Network of Sahelian Universities for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability) was to improve knowledge and know-how of Sahelian HEIs to fight hunger and poverty and assure food security. In Sahelian countries it is difficult to achieve agricultural and livestock improvements because of environmental and climatic conditions. Environmental damage exacerbates inequality by exerting a negative impact on the already poor people and, in the meantime, the inequalities of human development amplify the environmental damage. In this context, the role of universities as engines of development is undeniable. A network has been established between four universities of Burkina Faso, Chad, Italy and Niger, developing scientific, technical and didactic collaborations to increase attention and care for sustainable development and environmental safeguard. A new Master course was offered to students in order to enhance different strategic fields: livestock, crop productions, food security and sustainable management of natural resources. Teachers shared their experiences with colleagues from different countries and the didactic structures were improved. The main result of this training is the acquisition not only of technical skills, but also of a deep awareness of local issues, taking into account that a local intervention affects the entire region.