Noémie Paradis

Country: Burkina Faso
Partner: Union provincial des professionnels agricoles Boulkiemdé
Placement: Improving the extension skills of farmer union field agents.

Noémie is passionate about people, especially about what motivates them and how they live. It is this pressing curiosity that brought her overseas in 2006, as a short-term volunteer with Engineers Without Borders.

Here, Noémie had the chance to see firsthand the rich culture, and quiet rhythm of life that the people of West Africa enjoy. However, she also experienced the daily uncertainty of a stable income that emerges from an inescapable cycle of poverty.

“My first experience in West Africa was a turning point for me, “Noémie says “I decided from that moment on to dedicate a part of my life to helping the people I met overseas improve their lives.”

And this is exactly what she has done. With her Master’s degree from the University of Laval in mechanical engineering in hand, Noémie returned once again to West Africa, this time to Burkina Faso, as a long-term volunteer with EWB.

Noémie is working with a farmer union in Boulkiemdé to shift farmers from subsistence activities, to farming as a lasting business. A semi-commercial approach to agriculture allows farmers to grow additional crops, and sell the surplus for extra income to improve their lives. The Boulkiemdé union is an important partner for EWB, as it has a strong network of field extension agents connected to the challenges of rural farmers.

To promote this shift from subsistence farming, the Boulkiemdé union extension agents provide business development services. Uniquely, these services aim to develop farmers’ planning, book keeping and business analysis skills based on their specific need. Quality extension services are a critical part of the farmers’ ability to run a more efficient farm – and earn a viable income to support their family over the long-term.

This is where Noémie’s work is particularly important. She is partnered with the Boulkiemdé union field manager, Alexandre Kouraogo, and 10 other field agents to better develop their business training, facilitation, and monitoring skills. Improving the ability of field agents to provide business development services ensures that they can better respond to farmer needs with more effective and entrepreneurial strategies.

“What motivates me the most is Alexandre’s energy and willingness to learn.” says Noémie. “I really believe in the field agents’ potential to lead the farmers to a better future.”

Importantly, Noémie is also working to improve the effectiveness of the Boulkiemdé union overall. She is working closely with the president to build his leadership and management skills in the long term. Her work is making certain that both field agents, and the union as a whole, can have a widespread impact on farmers and their families.

“It is exciting to know that my work is helping the union have the competencies and tools to provide higher quality business development services and leadership to change the lives of thousands of farmers.”, Noémie notes.

This innovative approach has proven impactful, and the EWB team in Burkina Faso is scaling it up across the country. Three other overseas volunteers are now working with unions like Boulkiemdé, to improve their extension services and leadership on a broad scale. Yet, for Noémie, it comes back to the people.

“My work is allowing me to stay connected to the farmers and their families – every day allowing me to discover new things about life in Burkina Faso. I really feel at home here now.”