On April 10, 2025, between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM Universal Time, the MOJA Platform of DVV-International held a webinar on “Climate Change, Agriculture, and Adult Education.” Forty-six participants joined the online meeting and listened to two presentations by facilitators from Mali and Tunisia.

First, Mr. Mamadou Dounantié Mariko, who holds a Master’s degree in History and Geography from the École Normale Supérieure of Bamako (Mali) and a Graduate Diploma from the University of California-Davis (USA), and who specializes in climate change, presented on:
"Adult Learning and Education (ALE) as a Response to Climate Change and Food Insecurity in the Sahel."

Next, Mr. Karim Chebbi, a Director in Demography/Sociology and Project Manager at DGRV (The German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation), Tunisia Section, spoke on the topic:
"Cooperative Agricultural Production Units in Tunisia: Collective Agricultural Production in the Service of Food Sovereignty."

After welcoming and thanking the participants, Mr. Konota introduced the session, and Mr. Harrington from MOJA explained the purpose of the webinar and the relevance of the topic.

During his talk, Mr. Mariko highlighted the challenges of climate change and growing food insecurity, noting that adult learning and education (ALE) are useful tools for building resilience in Sahelian communities. His message focused on the importance of community training in dealing with environmental changes affecting the Sahel region.

The Sahel, which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Niger, and Chad, mainly depends on agriculture, livestock, and fishing. These activities are greatly affected by climate change, which brings unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, floods, and increasing desertification in some areas.

The first speaker emphasized the need for education that addresses practical problems, starting with raising community awareness. He suggested that a participatory assessment should be conducted to identify the most affected sectors, evaluate the impacts, and determine the priorities for action. He added that training should be adapted to local conditions, delivered in local languages, and directed at villagers, women, local officials, and technicians.

Mr. Mariko recommended introducing training modules that cover sustainable practices such as various agricultural techniques, responsible livestock management, fish farming, forest management, dune stabilization, and processing of agricultural products. He stressed the importance of supporting women, who are often the most vulnerable, by helping them with income-generating activities and community participation.

He explained that training is not a one-way process; it is a participatory effort where learners become agents of change. Practical exercises in the field, sharing of experiences, and long-term planning are key to maintaining these efforts over time.

Mr. Mariko’s presentation also included several clear photos that helped illustrate the practical applications of the methods discussed.

In conclusion, the speaker noted that training adults in the Sahel is not just about teaching techniques—it is also about building a collective ability to adapt to climate change. This approach represents a practical and human response to a global challenge.

He thanked the participants for their attention and then handed over the session to his Tunisian colleague through the MOJA team facilitators.

Below is the complete English translation with a toned-down style:

During his presentation, Mr. Karim Chebbi highlighted the importance of Cooperative Agricultural Production Units (CAPUs) in the pursuit of food autonomy in Tunisia.

He explained that the broader historical context has been marked by successive crises. In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic disruptions it caused have weakened global supply chains, further exacerbating food security challenges. In this context, CAPUs stand out as essential actors by promoting short and sustainable supply chains to ensure a resilient local food supply, he noted.

However, Mr. Chebbi clarified that CAPUs are not limited to crop production. They also play a fundamental educational role by offering both informal and non-formal training, such as “field schools,” where members acquire skills in agricultural techniques and workplace safety. This approach facilitates knowledge sharing and capacity-building among farmers through active communities of practice.

Regarding the challenges ahead, the speaker pointed out that despite their importance, CAPUs have experienced a significant decline in both their numbers and the areas they cover. For example, there were 173 CAPUs in 1990 compared to only 18 in 2020, operating on state lands inherited from the French colonial period. Yet, agricultural yields have shown an upward trend, reflecting the increased efficiency of the remaining cooperators.

To revitalize CAPUs, the presenter emphasized the need to formalize member education by introducing certifications and specialized training in cooperative agriculture. Adopting strategies that focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture is also crucial for ensuring their long-term viability.

In summary, Mr. Chebbi’s presentation makes it clear that CAPUs serve as important pillars in the face of repeated food crises. Therefore, integrating these units strategically into public policies, along with structured education, is essential to prepare a new generation of cooperators and strengthen Tunisia's food autonomy.

Mr. Chebbi concluded his presentation with thanks to the organizers and participants.

Following these two presentations and the words of appreciation from David Harrington and Abdoulaye Konota—who emphasized the importance of adult education in every development sector—the session moved on to a Q&A and contributions, which are summarized in five sections below.

Additional note: Questions that could not be answered during the webinar due to time constraints have been forwarded to the presenters. Please check back on this article later for their responses.