Light was failing in the small hut in Sourgayah Village, Guinea. But an animated discussion among farmers showed no sign of ending.
Ousmane Barry, a young farmer and president of the Agro-Pastoral Group Dar-El-Salam, a community based organization (CBO), facilitated the debate over how to use funds in the CBO's account at the rural bank. Mr. Barry and the other members of “Dar-El-Salam” struggled to find consensus in an open and democratic manner, a recently adopted practice made tougher by a sizeable amount of money – the Guinea Franc equivalent of $500 – in the bank.
The organization, which has 48 members, including 18 women, was created in 2003 with the expressed mission to improve the living conditions of its members. How to do this was not clear until 2008 when the CBO's selection as a “good governance champion” by the USAID-supported project Faisons Ensemble (working together).
The group’s commitment to champion group governance brought training and other technical support from Faisons Ensemble aimed at nurturing its organizational capacities, support for good governance and development in the community, and techniques for improving and sustaining non-commercial farming, including seed production and distribution.
After more than one year of Faisons Ensemble support, “Dar-El-Salam” has produced food for its member-families, seeds for next year, and funds for community investment. Over the year, “Dar-El-Salam” produced 2.2 metric tons of rice. The CBO’s proudest accomplishment is distribution of an excess of 300 kg of rice to other non-commercial farmer groups in their village’s local collectivity, the rural development community (CRD) of Marella. This community service activity will allow farmers to perpetuate the practice of community-based seed production and distribution.

USAID-supported training also has helped “Dar-El-Salam” raise funds for services and activities, including field plowing, organization of an open and transparent election of the organization’s executive board, and advocacy for a tractor aimed at the Ministry of Agriculture, the CNOP (National Confederation of the Rural Organizations), and the National Office of Agriculture.
The group's involvement in the village has intensified. “The Faisons Ensemble project taught us we have both rights and responsibilities within our CRD,” explained Mr. Barry. The CBO has organized members to ask for information on the local development plan and CRD annual budget. With local elected officials and other citizens of the village, they have decided to build a community center. Finally, with a year of Faisons Ensemble experience, the organization is sharing know-how with less developed CBOs, undertaking more advocacy activities and motivating others to enhance access to their villages by improving local roads and trails.
Agro-Pastoral Group Dar El-Salam’s s reputation as a champion for good governance and farming is spreading. Recently, the organization’s president was invited by the French Development Cooperation to share the CBO’s experience at a forum on improving agriculture extension services.
Sourgayah Village is located on the road between the bigger towns of Mamou and Faranah. The village is within the jurisdiction of the Marella CRD, one of 113 Guinean local government champions supporting good governance through work with USAID’s Project Faisons Ensemble.