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In the commune of Ouidah, Benin, the traditional activity of salt production, by heating brine, contributes to a significant cutting down of the mangrove, which is now prohibited. A new production method began in 2023 by adapting existing methods to reconcile them with the protection of natural resources, thanks to an initial project already led by the Humanitarian Association for Africa with CRIPADD, and supported by La Guilde and the dB'Human endowment fund.
The second project involves 40 salt growers from the village of Hio, 30 of whom have already been trained and equipped with an individual device consisting of a flat wooden surface covered with a black tarpaulin thanks to the first project.
The brine, poured in a thin layer, produces salt through solar drying. Individual monitoring and group meetings help identify areas for improvement.
After two production seasons, more than a third of the annual production, or 3 tons for 30 women, comes from solar production, which reduces the consumption of wood, the main source of energy in the past. Half of the salt-cutting women produced salt solely by solar drying. This production method may gradually increase.
Research and implement suitable strategies for the development and marketing of ecological salt in Avlékété (Ouidah) in order to consolidate the solar drying production initiative
Continue the development of solar salt production by seeking ways to improve productivity
Implement means to diversify the salt supply, adapt it to local demand and highlight its ecological character
Develop marketing by organizing new direct sales methods
Organize collective management
Installation of 10 women involved in addition to the first 30 beneficiaries, in the production of salt by solar drying of brine: training in techniques, provision of equipment (drying tables, black tarpaulin, etc.)
Concerted identification and analysis of obstacles and opportunities for the production of ecological salt (methods, organization, equipment)
Grinding of dried coarse salt to expand its uses and customer base: acquisition of a mill to grind salt, construction of premises to install the mill
Raising awareness of the ecological aspect of salt produced by solar drying and of socio-cultural prejudices about its nutritional and health value
Marketing development: purchasing places in the local market, holding points of sale in the markets or direct sales in the village, prospecting for stores, searching for other opportunities
Collective monitoring organization: organization of the use of the mill, conduct of collective discussions on the use of marketplaces, definition of methods for monitoring production and sales, training in management techniques, organization of International Women's Day to communicate and promote the project
40 women salt producers from the Avlékété district, divided into three cooperatives, and having shown a clear desire to adopt solar technology as a partial or total replacement for traditional technology
Through its Microprojects division, the La Guilde association, in partnership with the French Development Agency, supports the implementation of microprojects in the service of sustainable development internationally.