copyright Patricia Flliric 2010
Eco
Above all being a farmer
Agriculture is the main activity of the village. Here, everyone is a farmer. Kevin the guide, ex-poacher explains that both activities, “agriculture and tourism are going well together, because it is during the dry period that there are many tourists, and during the raining period it is the time to go to the field.” As it was raining last night, Kevin is ready, early in the morning to work his land: “You know, we have to enjoy the rainy time to plow!”
InCome
Kevin's field- Tanongou - North Benin - Africa
His fields are three kilometres from his village. This year, thanks to the money he earned by being a guide, he managed to pay four people to help him to furrow. “We do not have a tractor in the village and unfortunately, I do not have any more cows to help. So, we have to do everything by hand. With some luck, Joël (the president of Tinfi) will be able to rent a tractor from Tanguieta (another village), and then I will pay to use it on my second field.” Joël is still negotiating to bring a tractor in Tanongou. “If we make enough money on the side with the association, we will buy one for us. At this rhythm we should be able to get our own next year.”
An organic initiative
On the land with Kevin, we met Alain - another guide. This year he is planting organic cotton. “I am doing this because last year, I started with a half hectare and it was very good, so I will carry on. Some people in the village are doing the same now; maybe slowly we will be able to get a complete organic land to create an organic circuit to show to the tourists,” says Alain.
