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Innovation Type: Methodological

  • Improved Clay Jar for Safe Cowpea Storage

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    This innovation enhances traditional clay jars and silos to reduce post-harvest losses of cowpea while preserving nutritional quality and food safety. Tested with farmers in Burkina Faso, it significantly reduced grain losses by 40%, maintained stable protein levels, and kept aflatoxin contamination extremely low. The approach combines indigenous knowledge with simple scientific techniques using local,…

  • Cereal and Legume Intercropping System

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    This technical sheet explains the benefits of intercropping cereals and legumes to optimize land use, reduce input costs, and improve soil fertility. Field results from 2024–2025 show higher economic returns, especially for maize-soybean systems. The document details implementation steps, costs, and target users in semi-arid tropical regions. Organisation: ONG AMEDD (Association Malienne d’Éveil au Développement Durable)…

  • Improved Jar Innovation for Healthy Cowpea Storage

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    This document presents a local innovation that enhances traditional jars and silos to improve cowpea storage in Burkina Faso. By combining indigenous knowledge with scientific techniques, the method significantly reduces post-harvest losses caused by pests while maintaining nutritional quality and minimizing aflatoxin contamination. It relies on low-cost, locally available materials and promotes environmentally friendly practices.…

  • Sorghum-based Djouka Processing

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    This document presents a technical guide for producing Djouka from sorghum and peanuts to improve food security, nutrition, and income generation. It details the full processing steps, from raw material selection to packaging, and highlights its economic and nutritional advantages compared to traditional fonio-based Djouka. The innovation supports local food transformation and entrepreneurship, especially among…

  • Village Agroecological Committee (CAE) Implementation

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    This document describes an endogenous approach to scaling agroecology in Burkina Faso through the creation of village-level agroecological committees. These committees strengthen local leadership, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and address the lack of extension services. The approach includes participatory diagnosis, organizational design, structuring, and continuous capacity building to ensure long-term sustainability and local ownership. Organisation: INERA;…

  • Complementary flour based on malted sorghum, peanut, cowpea and baobab pulp

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    This document presents a nutritional innovation consisting of a locally produced complementary flour designed to combat malnutrition among vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly. It details the production process, ingredient proportions, nutritional values, and implementation steps, while promoting local value chains and women’s entrepreneurship. Organisation: Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) /…

  • Endogenous Data Collection Network (RECD)

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    A community-based monitoring and evaluation system where trained local farmers use smartphones and digital tools (KoboCollect, KoboToolbox) to collect agronomic, nutritional, and socio-economic data in insecure or hard-to-reach areas. The initiative enhances data reliability, local autonomy, and resilience while enabling real-time scientific tracking of agroecological practices. Organisation: Consortium Groundswell International (GI), ANSD, AMSP, INERA Author: INERA /…

  • Niobougouma Dual-Purpose Sorghum Variety

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    Niobougouma is an open-pollinated dual-purpose sorghum variety co-developed by research institutions and farmer organizations in Mali. It provides both grain for human consumption and high-quality fodder for livestock, improving food security, livestock feeding, and resilience to drought. The variety enhances agricultural productivity and supports integration between crop and livestock systems. Organisation: IER / ICRISAT / Farmer…

  • Yebagasago Dual-Purpose Sorghum Variety

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    Yebagasago is a hybrid dual-purpose sorghum variety developed in Mali that produces both grain for human consumption and high-quality forage for livestock. It improves agricultural productivity, enhances resilience to drought, and helps address food and feed shortages while supporting integrated crop-livestock systems. Organisation: IER / ICRISAT / McKnight Foundation / Farmer Organizations Author: Karim Dagno; Assitan Daou…

  • Production of enriched porridge from Boscia senegalensis seeds

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    This document presents a locally produced enriched flour made from Boscia senegalensis seeds combined with jujube pulp and baobab fruit pulp to address malnutrition in Sahelian regions. It details the processing steps (soaking, drying, milling, mixing), formulation proportions, and nutritional benefits, including improved protein, iron, and zinc content. The solution is affordable, locally accessible, and…