Yam Farm and Yam Barn

Group: Daloa Humanist Women Collectives

Location: Daloa, Ivory Coast

Members:

Kousso Minata, age 32. Phone: +225 07 21 34 6589

Clarisse Kouadio, age 28. Phone: +225 01 92 47 3810.

Fatoumata Soro, age 35. Phone: +225 07 14 89 2033.

Aminata Traoré, age 26. Phone: +225 05 31 22 7761

Brigitte Guei, age 30. Phone: +225 07 53 64 1182

Josiane Yao, age 24. Phone: +225 01 28 46 5307

Mariam Koffi, age 29. Phone: +225 05 40 91 2294

Nadège Coulibaly, age 27. Phone: +225 07 38 12 6485

Prisca Guessan, age 31. Phone: +225 01 64 75 9930

Zeynab Diomandé, age 33. Phone: +225 07 10 88 5412

Email: debbiekous@gmail.com

GroupPhone: +225 07 21 34 6589.

What does humanism mean to your group?

As women in Côte d’Ivoire, we are deeply aware of the social, cultural, and structural barriers that often limit the rights and potential of women and girls. In many parts of our country, these challenges are compounded by harmful practices justified by superstition, rigid tradition, and unquestioned authority. We believe that by embracing humanism, we are claiming the right to question, to learn, to lead, and to live free from fear, inequality, and silence. Humanism gives us the language and the framework to demand equality, to promote scientific literacy and education for girls, and to defend human rights regardless of one’s background or belief. We see no conflict between being proud African women and rejecting the systems that perpetuate injustice whether they come from patriarchal customs or religious dogma. Our strength lies in our autonomy and our solidarity.

We are humanists because we choose reason over superstition, empathy over hatred, and action over apathy. We believe that ethical living comes from human experience and shared responsibility, not divine command. In our daily work whether through advocacy, mentoring, education, or community service we aim to embody the principles of compassion, fairness, freedom of thought, and the protection of human rights. Through the Humanist Women Collective, we support one another in creating space for new ideas, for open dialogue, and for leadership by women and girls. We are building a new culture, one where voices are heard, values are shared, and change is driven by courage and critical thinking. In joining the wider humanist movement, we hope to learn, to grow, and to contribute to a global network that promotes dignity, equality, and hope for all.

Project Description

The Daloa Women Humanist Collective, a grassroots Ivorian group committed to humanist values, is launching an agricultural project aimed at cultivating 2,000 yam plants and building a traditional yam barn to support sustainable food production and economic empowerment. With the support of HuMAN, a humanist organization based in California, this initiative seeks to strengthen the livelihoods of women in the Daloa region through cooperative farming and community-driven development.

Yam is a culturally and economically significant crop in Côte d'Ivoire, and its cultivation presents a valuable opportunity for income generation. By planting a substantial number of yams and establishing proper storage infrastructure, the collective will be able to reduce post-harvest losses, increase the market value of their produce, and sell yams when prices are most favorable. This will result in consistent and meaningful profits that can be reinvested into future farming cycles, collective projects, and the well-being of members and their families.

The profits generated will help the women achieve greater financial independence, support education for their children, improve access to healthcare, and strengthen their capacity to lead and manage community initiatives. Additionally, the project supports long-term sustainability by encouraging environmentally conscious farming practices, strengthening food security, and laying the groundwork for a replicable model of rural development rooted in humanist principles. This initiative represents a vital step toward self-sufficiency, dignity, and shared prosperity for the women of the Daloa Humanist Collective.

Budget

Yam Farm – $320

Yam seed cuttings (for 2,000 mounds): $180

Farming tools (hoes, machetes, watering cans): $40

Organic compost / manure: $30

wire fence and mulching: $70

Yam Barn – $180

Local building materials (wood, bamboo, palm leaves, ropes): $100

Tools and nails (: $20

iron sheets: $60

Total - $500

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The yam farming and barn construction project is expected to follow a timeline of approximately 8 to 10 months from start to first harvest. The initial 1 to 2 months will be dedicated to land preparation, seed planting, and barn construction, followed by a 6 to 7-month growing period before harvest. Once the yams are harvested and stored in the barn, the collective can sell them gradually, allowing for better market timing and reduced spoilage. Based on average yields and market conditions, the project has the potential to generate steady annual profits of $1800, which can be used to support members’ basic needs, reinvest in the next planting season, and fund collective initiatives such as healthcare access, education support, and local micro-enterprises.  

Benefits to your Community

1 Empowers women with income-generating skills

2 Reduces financial dependency in households

3 Creates local job opportunities

4 Builds skills in craftsmanship and entrepreneurship

5 Encourages knowledge-sharing within the community

6 Promotes gender equality and female role models

7 Stimulates local economic activity

8 Strengthens humanist values in practice

9 Supports long-term, sustainable development