A survey on the socio-economic profile of the relay producers of the project sites was carried out, enabling to assess the impact of the project on the different sites. Co-host with WP8, WP2 further co-led the sharing forum between the project actors, stakeholders and IPs, providing an unique platform to share and find concerted solutions to the challenges encountered by producers in the integration of crop, tree and livestock systems. A comprehensive baseline data has been collected through farm household questionnaires (Niakhar and Koulikoro), using power calculations to obtain representative samples of farm households. The investigation of reasons for the adoption of existing agroforestry practices is ongoing and selection of villages for the interventions has been finalized.
A variety of on-station and on-farm trials were set up to study the impact of tree and shrub species on soil properties, crop yields, among other impacts on a more systemic approach where field and landscape levels are considered. Clusters of farmer demonstration activities intended for enabling wider adoption are set up at each location. In-field assessments of water dynamics-related parameters were continued, including impacts of trees on soil water infiltration and repartition, soil water contents and retention parameters and plant water status. Samples were taken to assess faunal and microbial diversity in some trials were taken and a set of Biofunctools indicators was tested in several locations and confirmed appraisable effects of shrub/tree vicinity on soil biological functions. Survey conducted to contribute to participatory soil indicators design was implemented to assess systems performance and sustainability in terms of yields versus other soil-related services.
Palatability and digestibility of the most relevant species of shrub foliage were tested on the research stations. Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of leaves from tree and shrub species, as well as foliage-derived animal manure in litterbag experiments is finalized. Parametrization of the LIVSIM model for feeding shrubs and trees to cattle as well as to sheep and goats is ongoing. Dissemination of promising foliage feeding strategies through the development of specific communication and application tools continued.
Field data sets (land use land cover and woody species) for sites in Senegal, and Land cover and land use maps for Niakhar, Ouarkhokh and Koussanar (Senegal), Saria and Yilou (Burkina Faso) used for landscape characterization and model input were carried out. Data used for parameterizing LUCIA ranged from spatial maps (e.g. land use/ cover, soil, DEM, LDD), plant and soil parameters, weather, management data continued to be carried out for data modelling. Improvement of the Niakhar land-use database and revised model scenario outputs regarding long-term (twenty years) impact of organic/inorganic resource use, CSL systems and current and future climate on productivity, resilience, productivity and soil fertility impact were used to update. These outputs serve as inputs and discussion basis for innovation platform (IP) interactions: model scenarios were presented at innovative platform meetings in Mali and Burkina Faso, where various stakeholder groups discuss, make their inputs and recommendations regarding the plausibility and implications of implementing such scenarios.
Two new project videos produced by Access Agriculture and available online with three more in script-writing phase. Structuring of a chapter for the African Organic Agriculture Training Manual continues. Special IP meeting report on farmers' needs and preferences regarding learning videos on agroforestry practices were conducted. We completed the evaluation of the audio training for farmers (pilot test in Sikasso, Mali).
