Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CIRAWA (Agro-ecological strategies for resilient farming in West Africa)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
CIRAWA project is designed to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation in West Africa, where agriculture is highly vulnerable. By leveraging both indigenous and scientific knowledge, CIRAWA aims to promote agroecological practices that enhance food security, improve livelihoods, and protect the environment. The project focuses on key strategies such as valorizing agro-waste, producing high-quality seeds, reclaiming saline soils, and optimizing soil fertility and water management. These strategies are being implemented across four West African countries—Cape Verde, Ghana, Senegal, and The Gambia—where they will help build resilient and sustainable farming systems. The expected impact includes increased crop productivity, enhanced environmental sustainability, and the empowerment of local communities through the adoption of innovative agricultural practices. By contributing to sustainable food systems, the project aligns with global goals for climate action and sustainable development, ensuring a lasting positive impact on the region's agriculture.
Over the first 18 months substantial progress has been made in various technical and scientific areas. The project focused on the development & implementation of agroecological strategies to enhance the sustainability and resilience of farming systems in West Africa. Key achievements include the successful implementation of soil fertility studies across the four participating West African countries—Cape Verde, Ghana, Senegal, and The Gambia. These studies aimed to identify specific local soil issues, such as nutrient deficiencies, and provide tailored recommendations to improve soil health and crop productivity. Additionally, a comprehensive protocol for the sampling and handling of agro-residues was developed to ensure consistency across regions, facilitating reliable analysis and enabling the valorization of these residues into valuable by-products such as fertilizers, biofuels, and construction materials.
The project has also made significant strides in the production of high-quality seeds. An initial inventory of locally available indigenous seeds was completed, focusing on characteristics such as ecological adaptation and yield potential. Laboratory evaluations of seed nursing procedures, seed pre-treatment techniques, and seed production protocols were conducted to improve seed quality and crop yields. These protocols will be disseminated to farmers and stakeholders to enhance seed production practices across the region. Another major focus has been the development of innovative agroecological practices that address climate change adaptation. These practices have been integrated into the Landfiles platform, where they are categorized by country and made available to subscribed users. The platform is continually being updated to reflect the specific contexts of different regions, ensuring that the practices remain relevant and effective. Moreover, the project has advanced in the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for crop management, specifically targeting fertilization and irrigation recommendations. This DSS is being designed to be practical and user-friendly, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of local farmers who may have limited access to advanced technologies.
The project has also made significant strides in the production of high-quality seeds. An initial inventory of locally available indigenous seeds was completed, focusing on characteristics such as ecological adaptation and yield potential. Laboratory evaluations of seed nursing procedures, seed pre-treatment techniques, and seed production protocols were conducted to improve seed quality and crop yields. These protocols will be disseminated to farmers and stakeholders to enhance seed production practices across the region. Another major focus has been the development of innovative agroecological practices that address climate change adaptation. These practices have been integrated into the Landfiles platform, where they are categorized by country and made available to subscribed users. The platform is continually being updated to reflect the specific contexts of different regions, ensuring that the practices remain relevant and effective. Moreover, the project has advanced in the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for crop management, specifically targeting fertilization and irrigation recommendations. This DSS is being designed to be practical and user-friendly, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of local farmers who may have limited access to advanced technologies.
CIRAWA has already demonstrated significant potential to impact sustainable agriculture in West Africa through its technical and scientific achievements. The development and implementation of agroecological practices tailored to the region's specific environmental and socio-economic conditions are crucial for enhancing food security, increasing crop productivity, and promoting environmental sustainability. By focusing on key areas such as soil fertility improvement, the valorization of agro-residues, and the production of high-quality seeds, the project addresses critical challenges faced by West African farmers.
The project's potential impacts include the widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices that improve resilience to climate change, enhance soil health, and increase the availability of high-quality seeds. These outcomes are expected to contribute to the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems in the region, ultimately leading to better livelihoods for farmers and greater food security for communities.
However, to ensure the further uptake and success of these innovations, several key needs must be addressed. First, further research and demonstration activities are essential to refine and adapt the developed agroecological practices to a broader range of local conditions. Continued field trials and pilot projects will help to validate the effectiveness of these practices and build confidence among farmers and stakeholders. Access to markets and finance is another critical factor for the successful commercialization of the project's innovations. Ensuring that farmers can access the necessary resources, such as quality seeds, fertilizers, and agro-residues, at affordable prices is crucial for the widespread adoption of these practices. Additionally, providing financial support and incentives for farmers to transition to sustainable practices will be key to drive a long-term change.
Intellectual property (IPR) support and a supportive regulatory framework are also essential to protect and promote the innovations developed under the CIRAWA project.
The project's potential impacts include the widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices that improve resilience to climate change, enhance soil health, and increase the availability of high-quality seeds. These outcomes are expected to contribute to the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems in the region, ultimately leading to better livelihoods for farmers and greater food security for communities.
However, to ensure the further uptake and success of these innovations, several key needs must be addressed. First, further research and demonstration activities are essential to refine and adapt the developed agroecological practices to a broader range of local conditions. Continued field trials and pilot projects will help to validate the effectiveness of these practices and build confidence among farmers and stakeholders. Access to markets and finance is another critical factor for the successful commercialization of the project's innovations. Ensuring that farmers can access the necessary resources, such as quality seeds, fertilizers, and agro-residues, at affordable prices is crucial for the widespread adoption of these practices. Additionally, providing financial support and incentives for farmers to transition to sustainable practices will be key to drive a long-term change.
Intellectual property (IPR) support and a supportive regulatory framework are also essential to protect and promote the innovations developed under the CIRAWA project.