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.
