Reclaiming and Adapting Local Technologies to Build Smallholder Resilience in Burkina Faso’s Sudano-Sahelian Region

Lead Organization:

Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo (UJKZ)

Partner Organizations:

Université Joseph KI-ZERBO (UJKZ); Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Burkina Faso; Wageningen University (Independent Consultant: Abdoul Rasmane BAGAGNAN); Association Minim Song-Panga (AMSP), Burkina Faso (Farmers' Organization)

Community of Practice:

West Africa

Countries:

Burkina Faso

Duration:

11/2024—11/2027

Overview:

The project aims to improve the resilience of smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso’s Sudano-Sahelian region by promoting the reappropriation and adaptation of local agricultural technologies. Focused on enhancing climate resilience, the project combines agroecological practices such as cereal-legume intercropping and market gardening. These practices will help address soil degradation, pest management issues, and income diversification. The project is designed to improve both food security and livelihoods through the introduction of more sustainable, climate-smart farming methods. It also aims to reduce the use of harmful pesticides, promote organic farming, and improve the quality of food production systems in the region.

Grant Aims:

  • To increase the resilience of smallholder farmers to climate change through the adoption of locally adapted and sustainable farming practices.
  • To enhance soil fertility and productivity through the use of organic fertilizers and improved cropping systems.
  • To reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides by promoting biopesticides and pest-resistant varieties.
  • To contribute to the scientific community by providing valuable data on pest management, local varieties, and smallholder resilience strategies.

Outputs and Outcomes:

Outputs

1.1: Co-designed farming systems with smallholder farmers to stabilize and increase yields.
1.2: Improved crop yields through integration of rain-fed agriculture and market gardening systems.
1.3: Adoption of alternative pest control methods, including biopesticides, reducing pesticide use in both cereal and market gardening systems.
2.1: 500 smallholder farmers trained in sustainable farming practices (e.g., agroecology, market gardening).
2.2: 50 trials set up to assess the performance of cereal-legume intercropping systems and biopesticides.
2.3: Establishment of 2 demonstration farms showcasing the integration of market gardening and cereal-legume intercropping.
3.1: 1000 farmers involved in the project by participating in training workshops and field visits.
3.2: 03 Master’s theses and 01 PhD thesis produced from project data.
3.3: 5 technical sheets, 5 communications in national/international meetings, and 5 research papers published.

Outcomes

1.1: Increased food security and incomes for smallholder farmers through diversified agricultural systems.
1.2: Improved resilience to climate change due to stable and robust farming systems.
2.1: Reduction in pesticide use, improving health and environmental sustainability.
2.2: Enhanced soil fertility and reduced degradation through organic farming practices.
3.1: Strengthened scientific knowledge on agroecological practices and pest management.
3.2: Strengthened farmer capacity through training and direct involvement in research.
3.3: Greater adoption of alternative pest management methods, such as biopesticides.