Thematic Area: Farmer Innovation

  • Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Mass Rearing and Production

    by

    This document presents techniques for rearing and mass-producing Black Soldier Fly larvae for animal feed. It details the preparation of adult fly cages, egg collection, incubation processes, larval production, and optimal environmental conditions. The innovation highlights the valorization of organic waste into high-protein animal feed and organic fertilizer, contributing to sustainable agriculture and waste management.…

  • Sorghum-based Djouka Processing

    by

    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…

  • Improved Jar Innovation for Healthy Cowpea Storage

    by

    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.…

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

    by

    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) /…

  • Village Agroecological Committee (CAE) Implementation

    by

    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;…

  • Endogenous Data Collection Network (RECD)

    by

    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

    by

    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…

  • Integration of tree clusters to improve millet yield

    by

    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…

  • New short-cycle dual-purpose sorghum varieties (Koom-Kaviinre, Koom-Sii, Wenifoni)

    by

    This document presents the development and multi-location evaluation of three improved sorghum varieties in Burkina Faso. These varieties were bred from IRAT 204 and B35 to combine drought tolerance, grain yield, and forage production. Field trials over two years across three sites showed higher productivity and adaptability compared to existing varieties, with good stability and…

  • Early-cycle sorghum variety Kouria

    by

    This document presents a technical sheet describing Kouria, a newly improved early- to intermediate-cycle sorghum variety developed in Burkina Faso. It explains its development through mass selection, agronomic characteristics, yield performance (11.1% higher than the reference variety Kapelga), adaptation to Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian zones, and recommended cultivation practices. The variety is dual-purpose (grain and forage),…