Burkina Faso’s women farmers reviving the land with fertilizer trees

Mongabay
Mongabay
3M ago
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Women in Burkina Faso are revitalizing degraded farmland using fertilizer trees, enhancing soil quality and biodiversity through traditional agroforestry techniques.
Burkina Faso’s women farmers reviving the land with fertilizer trees
A What happened
In Burkina Faso's Centre-Ouest and Kadiogo regions, women farmers are revitalizing degraded farmland by utilizing fertilizer trees, an ancestral agroforestry technique. These nitrogen-fixing trees enhance soil quality by providing essential nutrients, significantly improving productivity and biodiversity. Women like Maan Alima Tagnan and Adjara Diasso have adopted this method, which has been modernized by the Association for the Promotion of Fertilizer Trees. Despite facing challenges such as limited water access and land ownership issues, these women have successfully restored several hectares of land. The initiative not only improves soil health but also attracts wildlife, contributing to a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

Key insights

  • 1

    Fertilizer Trees: Women are using nitrogen-fixing trees to restore soil health.

  • 2

    Agroforestry Techniques: Traditional methods are being revived to enhance biodiversity.

  • 3

    Challenges Faced: Water scarcity and land ownership issues hinder progress.

Takeaways

The efforts of these women highlight the potential of traditional practices in sustainable agriculture.

Topics

Climate & Environment Sustainability