{"id":119114,"date":"2025-10-20T09:54:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T07:54:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/?p=119114"},"modified":"2025-10-20T09:57:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T07:57:26","slug":"sustainsahel-key-innovations-african-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bioecoactual.com\/en\/2025\/10\/20\/sustainsahel-key-innovations-african-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"SustainSahel presents key innovations for a sustainable African agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"

From 2020 to 2025, the EU-funded SustainSahel project<\/strong> supported smallholder farmers in the Sahel region, tackling land degradation and climate stress. Led by FiBL, the project demonstrated that agroecological practices are both effective and economically feasible. At seven pilot sites researchers and farmers worked hand in hand with institutions from Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, France, Germany, and Switzerland. More than 5000 farmers were involved representing thousands of hectares across different rainfall zones in the Sahel zone.<\/p>\n

\"SustainSahel
Integrating local tree species like Faidherbia albida retains water, improves degraded soils and provides animal fodder. (Photo: SustainSahel, Alain Audebert)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Farming practices with impact<\/h2>\n

Harun Cicek, project leader from the FiBL Department of International Cooperation, states: \u201cWe found that simple practices like mulching, composting, and integrating local trees and shrubs can boost yields by up to 40 percent. Furthermore, these measures improve soil and water management and provide fodder and medicinal resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lead farmers are crucial for yield improvement<\/h3>\n

A highlight was the \u201clead farmer\u201d model: Farmers trained in field schools passed their knowledge to 20 to 40 peers, creating a strong multiplier effect. Adoption of these practices led to yield increases of 150 to over 300 kilograms per hectare, translating to gains of up to 40 percent, and improved production stability even under climate stress.<\/p>\n

Key recommendations for the future<\/h3>\n

At the closing workshop in May in Dakar, Senegal, concrete recommendations for stakeholders were compiled:<\/p>\n