RESPECT ASSOCIATION - RCB-Hugelkultur Project

What is Hugelkultur & Ramial Chip Wood ?

Hugelkultur and Ramial Chipped Wood are two complementary agroecological techniques that transform organic waste into highly productive and resilient growing systems. Hugelkultur involves the creation of raised beds built from layers of logs, branches, and plant residues buried beneath soil. As the wood slowly decomposes, it releases nutrients while acting like a natural sponge, retaining water and reducing the need for frequent irrigation. Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW), on the other hand, consists of freshly shredded young branches spread over the soil as mulch. This material stimulates microbial and fungal activity, enriching soil structure, improving fertility, and enhancing long-term ecosystem health. Together, these methods promote sustainable, low-cost agriculture by regenerating soil naturally, conserving water, and reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers—making them particularly suited to the environmental conditions of Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Dissemination of Hugelkultur & Ramial Chip Wood (RCW) Across Mauritius and Rodrigues

RESPECT is leading an innovative agroecological initiative aimed at transforming food production systems across Mauritius and Rodrigues through the large-scale dissemination of sustainable techniques such as Hugelkultur and Ramial Chipped Wood.

This project responds directly to critical challenges faced by island communities, including food import dependency, water scarcity, soil degradation, and the physical strain associated with traditional farming. By introducing raised-bed systems enriched with organic materials, RESPECT promotes a method of cultivation that naturally retains moisture, regenerates soil fertility, and significantly reduces the need for irrigation and chemical inputs.

At the heart of the initiative is a practical, community-based approach. Through mobile training units, on-site demonstrations, and pilot projects, RESPECT empowers vulnerable populations—particularly women, youth, and displaced fishermen—to adopt these techniques within their own environments. These systems are designed to be low-cost, scalable, and adaptable, allowing food production even in challenging conditions such as rocky or degraded soils.

Above: One of the sites proposed for vegetable production in Grand Gaube using the Hugelkultur/RCW technique

Above: Agroecology Expert Michel Bosdedore explaining the benefits of Hugelkultur & RCW to communities of the south of Mauritius

The project also integrates circular economy principles by transforming green waste into valuable agricultural inputs through RCW, reducing environmental pollution while enhancing soil biodiversity. Combined with ergonomic farming practices, this approach makes agriculture more accessible to elderly farmers and more attractive to younger generations.

Ultimately, the initiative aims to establish a replicable model of resilient, community-driven food production—one that strengthens food security, reduces dependence on imports, and builds sustainable livelihoods across Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Above: Michel at work producing Ramial Chip Wood from green waste obtained from treating trees