From the Field Sowing the Drops of Change: Transforming Lives in the Sahel Amidst Climate Adversity
Transforming lives in the Sahel, the AVENIR project provides training and sustainable technologies for resilient and prosperous agriculture.
Climate change has been a serious challenge in resource-poor households of the Sahel. The most affected are households whose livelihoods are dependent on small-scale crop production and rearing of small ruminants. These areas receive one season of rainfall which only last for three months in an year. This exposes farmer fields to scorching sun and erosive winds for a major part of the year. This has a significant impact on access to nutritious foods and diversified diets, especially during the prolonged dry season. The introduction of promising interventions for revitalizing farmlands can help to reverse this situation and significantly improve livelihoods of thousands of people.
To accelerate this change, a Canadian government funded project titled 'Adaptation and Valorization of Entrepreneurship in Irrigated Agriculture' (AVENIR) was introduced in the Tambacounda and Sedhiou regions of Senegal. Currently in its fifth year, the project has already transformed the lives of thousands of households by instilling knowledge and skills, and initiating technologies that can mitigate and increase resilience of beneficiaries to a changing climate. The Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) is partnering with the Alliance in the implementation of this project.
Certainly, no single strategy can fix every household challenge. In appreciating this, a bundle of interventions ranging from awareness creation and hands-on training in climate smart agriculture (CSA), integrated water resource management (IWRM), food handling and nutrition trainings are being conducted. In addition, weather and climate information services (WCIS) and agro-advisory are being disseminated through text messaging and interactive voice recordings to help farmers make informed decision-making related to times for sowing, ploughing, spreading fertilizer, harvesting, etc.
The 15 demonstration farms with solar-powered boreholes were established as platforms for researchers to showcase new innovations to beneficiaries and nearby communities. Project beneficiaries were allocated small micro plots to practice the acquired market gardening skills. Crops selected for demonstration included okra, bissap (russel), pepper, onions and rice. In addition, high-value agroforestry trees such as early-maturing pawpaw, mango, baobab and cashew were integrated for food and market purposes.
The types of crops planted is as important as the method of irrigation used. Therefore, training was offered on crop selection considering factors such as duration of growth, harvest times, drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance, monetary and nutritional value of commodities produced among other factors.
With temperatures soaring up to 47º C, the evidence of ‘every drop count’s is visible. A balance between water use for research and farmer production is critical. This has required the use of drip irrigation in demo fields. Moreover, project beneficiaries have been introduced to cheap but effective technologies such as planting basins, zai pits, sunken and raised beds and sprinkler irrigation for rice. The beneficiaries are also allowed to use the conventional fetch-and–carry method using buckets to compare its efficiency relative to improved methods.
A fetch and carry bucket irrigation, a conventional irrigation method which is both erosive and labor intensive. Source: Michael Kinyua/CIAT.
“I was delighted to learn how to construct a micro-drip irrigation kit" said Bintou Moussa from Goudomp in Sedhiou. "Despite the benefits associated with drip irrigation, many of us wondered how we could replicate the complex irrigation technology in our family farms, as it is expensive. We can now afford the simple drip version, thanks to AVENIR", she added.
The micro-drip irrigation is a simplified form of drip irrigation using less than a 100-litre tank/container mounted on a stand raised by 1.5 meters and fitted with 10-meter-long drips. The system costs less than $10 USD, making it affordable and ideal for kitchen gardening in 100-square-meter plots. The technology enables production of fruits and vegetables for a household of 7-10 people, while reducing water wastage by up to 70%, compared to bucket irrigation. This reduces women's manual labor, reducing workload and allowing them to engage in other income-generating activities.
A farmer training on installaion of micro drip irrigation (left) and a kitchen garden with installed micro drip system (right). Source: Obadiah Mwangi/CIAT
Besides the fabrication of micro-drips, farmers can now connect with each other, fix water wasting leaks, unclog emitters, and maintain water pump filters. This marks a great stride towards ensuring sustainability of the drip irrigation infrastructure after project completion while reducing dependency for maintenance services through external support.
In addition to enhancing access to affordable drip irrigation and training on sustainable water resource management on proper soil care through integrated soil fertility management using the 4R nutrient stewardship on right type, right amount, right timing and right placement of fertilizers and manure were provided.
“I learnt that soil is a living thing, and if it's not cared for, it will get injured or die, leading to crop failure”, said Talla Diagne, an input supplier from Tambaconda.
“I stopped using fire for land preparation after we were taught about its negative implications for soil and the environment”, said Hissatou Diotta, a farmer in Bounkling in Sedhiou. “More awareness is needed for the whole community to stop using fire. This is because I lost my crop after a neighbor failed to control his fire, which negatively impacted my household’s food and income security”, she added.
Mulching is also part of the solution, involving covering the soil with a layer of organic materials such as straw, leaves, or crop residues. This simple yet highly effective method conserves soil moisture, prevents soil erosion, and is efficient in suppressing weeds. This technique significantly reduces labor while promoting healthier soil through gradual decomposition of organic matter, which adds valuable nutrients and improves soil structure. Shifting communities’ perceptions to ensure the use of crop residues (and other organic matter) as mulch rather than burning is vital. This transition is a battle not yet won, unless we join forces with other stakeholders.
AVENIR has seen success in the empowerment of women and young farmers who are now at the forefront of sustainable farming. It has created a beacon of hope in transforming bare arid lands into blooming farms while building a resilient, prosperous community. This project is not just a foundation and anchor to agricultural revolution, it is a path for growth, empowerment, and plenty more possibilities.
A blossoming drip irrigated Okra crop in an AVENIR project’s demonstration farm. Source: Michael Kinyua/CIAT.
