LEARNING ABOUT AGROECOLOGY
Code: 5caa557ada4d4c7c86aedb0923fdd4ac Copied
Togo
Farming
Environment
Manual work
Farming
Environment
+2
Fixed dates
About the project
LEARNING ABOUT AGROECOLOGY
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Created in 1957, the NGO Association Togolaise des Volontaires au Travail (ASTOVOT) is one of the first Togolese associations. ASTOVOT is a non-profit, secular organisation that has been supporting international solidarity initiatives for several decades, as well as the self-help of rural communities through its support for local development projects. ASTOVOT's mission is to contribute to the socio-cultural development of local populations in the communes of the Kloto and Agou Prefectures through the realisation of collective utility projects and the involvement of young national and foreign volunteers. Today ASTOVOT is a reference in international volunteering and civic service in Togo. Each year, ASTOVOT welcomes several dozen international volunteers from Europe (Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Spain, Luxembourg...) and Asia (Japan) thanks to solid partnerships with several organisations working in these fields such as AIME, SCI International, IJGD Germany, Solidarités Jeunesses, Compagnons bâtisseurs, Concordia, NICE Japan, Cadip Canada. Since its creation, the association has carried out numerous projects in its areas of intervention, with the aim of implementing a participative approach with the local communities. The projects carried out include the construction of classrooms and eco-sanitary latrines, reforestation, socio-educational activities, the renovation of school buildings and sanitary facilities, and the setting up of awareness-raising workshops (on themes related to education, citizenship, agro-ecology, hygiene and health, and entrepreneurship). The association aims to :
• To contribute to the animation of life by the participation of Togolese and foreign volunteers in the realization of works of general interest;
• To improve the living conditions of the local population by promoting their development and well-being through the protection of the environment and the socio-cultural heritage;
• Supporting socio-educational and sports initiatives in rural communities;
• To promote the movement of people and goods through international and intercultural exchanges
💼 What the programme involves
"Learning about agroecology" is a project initiated by ASTOVOT a few years ago to learn how to cultivate differently and to safeguard biodiversity. It involves the exploitation of a garden plot where a variety of organic vegetables are grown for local consumption. This project has two components. The first component is the production of organic vegetables and the second is awareness raising on eco-actions and training on agroecology. In setting up this project, ASTOVOT intends to focus on the initial aspect of agroecology: in the form of manual farming techniques, respectful of fauna and flora, (no chemical inputs, with plant cover, associations of plants and vegetables, etc.) so as to enrich the biodiversity of the site and the fertility of the soil. This project is also intended to be a platform for the exchange of skills, experimentation and promotion of organic crops between local and international volunteers..
The agro-ecological garden is located in an environment rich in biodiversity and vegetation, with a small river next to it that allows the watering of the plants.
AIMS OF PROJECT
• Preserve the biodiversity of the site;
• To promote the cultivation of organic products (vegetables and fruit) through agroecology;
• To encourage educational exchanges on agroecology and other practices for a more sustainable agriculture;
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
- Weeding and weeding ;
- Making beds, nursery, hoeing ;
- Compost making ;
- Protection of seedlings (shading), transplanting of young plants, watering of seedlings of different vegetables grown;
- Reinforcing the garden fence with bamboo;
- Construction of a straw and bamboo hut for relaxation and storage of tools and products;
- Organisation of educational activities in the garden with the children;
NB: Volunteers interested in this project can bring seedlings and other documents related to the themes of agroecology.
🏠 Accommodation on site
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is generally basic, simple and specific to the location of the project. On site, volunteers are accommodated in groups of three or four people per room. The number of people per room depends on the collective organisation of the volunteers themselves. Depending on the location, volunteers may use dry toilets and showers without water inside. This implies that the volunteers will fetch water from a fountain or well. The association provides volunteers with plastic or foam mats. Volunteers who have sleeping bags can bring them with them if possible. Access to drinking water on the site. However, access to electricity and internet may be limited depending on the village. This is due to regular load shedding and difficulties in accessing the network respectively.
FOOD
During the workcamp, the volunteers will cook their own meals. An internal organisation will allow for the creation of groups that will alternate to carry out the different domestic tasks, including cooking. The food products used for cooking are sometimes imported, sometimes local and often organic. The diet of each volunteer will be taken into account in the cooking of the meals. Volunteers will have access to tropical fruits such as bananas, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, avocados, papayas, etc.
📍 About the location
In addition to the main activities of the workcamp, other activities are organised such as: discovery walks, hikes, festive outings and cultural meetings. These activities allow the volunteers to come into contact with the local population and to discover the Togolese culture.
During the weekends, collective excursions are organised by the volunteers and their leaders to discover the tourist sites of the region where the workcamp is taking place. It should be noted that the expenses related to the excursions and the volunteers' outings are not included in the participation fees. However, the association can facilitate or negotiate transport for the volunteers during outings or excursions.
⚠️ Requirements
The languages of the workcamp are French and then English. However, we recommend that non-French speaking volunteers have a basic knowledge of French before their arrival. The official language of Togo is French. The vast majority of local volunteers and communities have a very low level of English.
ℹ️ Additional information
The languages of the workcamp are French and then English. However, we recommend that non-French speaking volunteers have a basic knowledge of French before their arrival. The official language of Togo is French. The vast majority of local volunteers and communities have a very low level of English.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
ASTO 08
16/08/2022 → 04/09/2022
Volunteers registered
0 / 18
♂ 0/9
♀ 0/9
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–75 years old
Solidarity donation
200.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Kpalime, Togo
Togo
🌍 Location info
Local currency
West African CFA Franc (XOF / CFA)
Exchange rate
1 XOF = 0.001531 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
Greenwich Mean Time
Local time: 20:53 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
Collective
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
French