Dams of Ramessoum

Le Barrage de Ramessoum

Ramessoum is located in the Department of Arbollé, Province of Passoré. Its populqtion is estimated at 3 750 inhabitants with the following gender distribution:

  • 1990 women (53% of the population)
  • 1760 men (47% of the population)

The economy of the village is based almost exclusively on agriculture. The villagers also practice animal husbandry of goat and sheep.

The village is home to two community groups; one women’s group and one farmer’s group. The groups undertake a number of activities (collective farming, reforestations, anti-erosive interventions, fertilizer production). The groups have already benefited from two (2) wells and a mini-nursery (for trees).

Ramessoum is a place where an adequate water supply is a critical and determining factor in the undertaking of any village activities such as off-season cultivation, anti-desertification activities and animal husbandry.

In actual fact, the village suffers from an extremely inadequate water supply. Water becomes extremely rare after the end of the rainy season and seriously impedes all agricultural agricultural activities, especially those concerned with the cultivation of vegetables in the dry season. This situation has been aggravated by the destruction of the village’s thirty-five year old dam (90% destroyed).

APS, in partnership with the population of the village of Ramessoum, has initiated this water reservoir project with the following goals:

  • the development of the region
  • the pursuit of important activities: agriculture, the protection of the environment, and the improvement of animal husbandry
  • slowing the emigration of youth towards the city by the creation of employment opportunities
  • a meaningful contribution to the development of the country
  • a contribution to the struggle against desertification

The study, upon making a detailed analysis of the region, concluded that the construction of a dam and the resulting water reservoir is an ideal solution for the village’s water problem and would make a meaningful contribution to a reduction of poverty in the region.

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Region

Province of Passoré
Department of Arbollé
Village of Ramessoum

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Area of work

The installation of a water reservoir (dam) in the village of Ramessoum

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Objectives

  • Initiation of off-season income-generating activities (vegetable culture / tomatoes, cabbage, onions, carrots…) for the benefit of women, youth, and children
  • Noticeably increase the revenues of cultivators and herders
  • Introduction to and training in new agro-forestry, agricultural, and other socio-economic activities
  • Assuring the food security of the population of the village without disturbing the ecological balance
  • Creation of a nursery for reforestation activities and the struggle against desertification
  • Creation of a vegetable garden to serve 85 families (production of tomatoes, onions, cabbage, eggplant, corn, rice, etc)
  • Development of 50 hectares of rice plantation
  • Development of 10 hectares of off-season cultivation
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Project activities

The project will begin with the acquisition of co-financing. Work can begin in October and must be completed by May. The duration of the work is estimated at three months.

  • Promotion and training in various activities, for example the collection of aggregates (sand, gravel, large rocks
  • Installation of the water reservoir, work and execution
  • Awareness-building on the maintenance of the new infrastructure
  • Installation of farming perimeters
  • Training in the production of plants (nursery)
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Principal partners involved in the project

  • Village groups of Ramessoum
  • Manos Unidas
  • Catholic church
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Execution cost and financial scheme

Financial contribution of APS
Local contribution 30 000 000f CFA 45 735 €
Studies and project planning 1 895 000f CFA 2 890 €
Total project cost 150 285 200f CFA 229 119 €
Financial aid solicited 118 390 200f CFA 180 485 €