Abdou's Journey: Cultivating Resilience Towards Climate Change
In the village of Keur Seyni – located in the commune of Darou Khoudoss – lives Abdou, a dedicated farmer of fifty. For thirty years, Abdou has cultivated the land and grows vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, onions, carrots and cabbage) across five hectares.
Like many farmers in Senegal, he has faced the harsh reality of climate change, which transform once-productive fields into declining yields and increasing water scarcity. Through several micro loans, he now stands empowered to adopt more sustainable farming practices to become more climate resilient.
Abdou’s journey reflects the struggles faced by countless farmers as climate change impacts agricultural systems severely. "The quality of the soil is declining, and it has become harder to access groundwater," he explains, sharing how these changes have forced many young people in his community to abandon farming in search of better prospects elsewhere. This trend in migration not only threatens his livelihood but also the fabric of his community, which relies heavily on agriculture.
VisionFund Senegal is a microfinance institution serving over 57,000 clients nationwide, focusing on reaching rural areas and supporting women entrepreneurs. Part of the VisionFund International network, it offers microloans, savings products, and financial literacy programs designed to enhance financial inclusion and economic resilience. The majority of its clients are women, and its loan portfolio primarily supports sectors such as agriculture, trade, and small-scale manufacturing. With an average loan size below $1000, VisionFund Senegal is crucial in helping underserved communities access the financial resources they need to improve their livelihoods and foster sustainable development.
In the past two years, however, Abdou has been empowered by the Oxfam Novib Fund and TripleJump that support microfinance institution VisionFund Senegal to improve their resilience to the consequences of climate change. With the financial support, Abdou has been able to access valuable resources to sustain his farm and develop climate resilient practices. “The loans from VisionFund allow us to start our sowing season on time,” he says, emphasizing the importance of timely funding. This support has been crucial in helping him seek out the best seeds available.
But it is not just financial assistance that has transformed Abdou’s approach to farming. Vision Fund Senegal has also provided vital training in financial management and agricultural practices, which has helped Abdou organize his operations more effectively. “We are learning about the impacts of chemical fertilizers and to better manage our finances in order to be able to honor our commitments thanks to the financial education it gives us” he shares. This knowledge has led him to for example reduce pesticide use and allowing certain plots to rest, which helps restore soil health.
Oxfam Novib and Triple Jump supported Vision Fund Senegal to improve the institution's resilience to the consequences of climate change. From February to August 2024, HEDERA Sustainable Solutions conducted a climate risk assessment of the institution on our behalf. Based on that assessment, the management of Vision Fund Senegal drafted an environmental strategy that includes concrete actions to reduce the vulnerability of their clients, reduce the adverse ecological impacts of the institution itself and foster economic opportunities to build a green portfolio.
As Abdou reflects on the changes in his life since receiving support, he highlights the improvements in his family’s well-being. The increased income from his farming has meant better healthcare and educational opportunities for his two children, aged 12 and 16. "It is my hope to give them a future where they can thrive, without the need to leave their home for distant cities," he states firmly.
Yet, Abdou is acutely aware of the ongoing challenges he and his community face. Despite the progress, he highlights the delays in funding that can hinder timely harvests, leading to decreased income when market supply outstrips demand. Moreover, he voices concerns about land security, fearing that small producers like himself could lose their farms to larger agricultural interests. “Without land rights, we are vulnerable. It’s essential that we receive legal titles to protect our farms and our families,” he urges.
Looking toward the future, Abdou has ambitious dreams. He envisions a community where local farmers can meet domestic demand, ensuring food security and the preservation of their way of life. "I hope to see more support for small producers in the form of machinery and affordable fertilizers, which would significantly boost our productivity," he asserts.
Ultimately, Abdou’s story is one of resilience—a testament to the power of support and education in the face of adversity. With the backing of the MFS scheme of VisionFund Senegal, he is not just surviving; he is cultivating a better future for himself, his family, and his community. We stand behind Abdou to face the harsh impacts of climate change together by financing innovative, green and inclusive solutions, allowing him to grow not only crops but a sustainable future for generations to come.
With the new investment strategy of the Oxfam Novib Fund, we direct a large part of our funds to MFIs in 27 countries most affected by the impact of climate change to strengthen their capacity to provide products to small scale business owners to help them recover from climate disasters and as well build their resilience and adaptation to climate change.
Between 2017 - 2023, Oxfam Novib have reached 758,227 end clients like Abdou with access to finance, 79% are women and 68% live in rural communities.
One MFI at a time, we are creating inclusive, sustainable and fair economies that tackle poverty and inequality.
