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Innovation Type: Methodological

  • Liquid biofertilizer from hygienized human urine for fonio production

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    This document presents a low-cost biofertilizer made from hygienized human urine enriched with organic materials such as poultry manure, ash, neem, and moringa leaves. Developed in Mali, it addresses low soil fertility in fonio production systems, particularly for women farmers who lack access to expensive mineral fertilizers. The innovation improves yields significantly (up to 1533…

  • Climate Resilience in Food Systems (CRIFS) – Agroecology Led by Women

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    This project focuses on the critical role of women farmers in building resilient and sustainable local food systems in the face of climate change. Conducted across five African countries, it follows 60 smallholder women farmers and analyzes how their agroecological practices, rooted in traditional knowledge, improve food security, biodiversity, and adaptation to climate variability. The…

  • Fonio Production Technology in Mali

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    This technical sheet presents fonio (Digitaria exilis) as a resilient crop suitable for poor and degraded soils, contributing to food security and income diversification in dry areas. Improved varieties such as Peazo show strong performance with yields exceeding 1 ton per hectare and revenues around 700,000 FCFA/ha. The document outlines production steps, challenges, and impacts…

  • Sorghum Double-Use Technology

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    This technical sheet presents a farming innovation consisting of cultivating sorghum varieties that produce both high grain yields for human consumption and significant biomass for animal feed on the same plot. The approach enhances food security, farmer income, and resilience in semi-arid tropical regions. Field trials in Mali (2024–2025) show yields exceeding 2 t/ha of…

  • Phospho-Compost Technology for Soil Fertility Improvement

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    This document presents a composting technique enriched with natural phosphate to improve soil fertility and crop nutrition in phosphorus-poor Sahelian soils. Developed under the CATHI-GAO project, it uses locally available biomass and Tahoua phosphate to enhance millet yields sustainably. The method includes detailed composting steps and demonstrates significant yield improvements. Organisation: CATHI-GAO Project / INRAN Author: Zounon…

  • Fortified Sorghum Flour with Moringa (No Premix)

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    This document presents the development of locally fortified sorghum-based flours enriched with moringa and other local ingredients (cowpea, peanut, baobab fruit, néré, carrot) to combat malnutrition in the Sahel. It details ingredients, formulations, production processes (as shown in the diagram on page 3), and evaluates nutritional composition and sensory acceptability (tables on pages 4 and…

  • Integration of tree clusters to improve millet yield

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    This document presents an agricultural practice consisting of managing clusters of woody species such as Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum to enhance soil fertility and increase millet yields. The method uses concentric planting zones with varying seed density to optimize productivity. It is a low-cost, sustainable solution adapted to Niger’s degraded soils. Organisation: CATHI-Gao Project Author: ZOUNON…

  • Cascade Training by Farmer Trainers in Burkina Faso

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    An endogenous agroecological scaling approach where selected farmers are trained by researchers and then disseminate knowledge to peers through demonstrations and farmer field schools. It addresses soil degradation, limited agricultural advisory access, and the need to reach many households efficiently, showing strong yield improvements through combined practices like Zaï, compost, and improved seeds. Organisation: INERA; AMSP…

  • Improved Traditional Cowpea Storage Practices in Burkina Faso

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    This document presents an innovation that enhances traditional cowpea storage methods using local materials such as clay, ash, cow dung, and repellent plants. It significantly reduces post-harvest losses caused by insect attacks (previously 40–60%) while preserving nutritional quality, including stable protein content and low aflatoxin levels. The approach combines traditional knowledge with scientific improvements to…

  • FUMA-FRN: Farmer Research Network

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    An agroecological research approach based on co-learning, co-creation, and knowledge sharing, enabling farmers to actively shape research agendas, collaborate with researchers, and scale innovations through networks. It strengthens participation, improves contextualized research, and enhances knowledge exchange while bridging gaps between farmers and scientific communities. Organisation: FUMA Gaskiya Author: Ali Maman Aminou et al. Maturity description: Well established and…