Partners
ARFA works in the East, North and Centre-East of Burkina Faso to promote sustainable development through the adoption of an agroecological approach and the preservation of the environment. The NGO is involved in action research and experimentation, awareness-raising, training and advocacy on agroecological innovations. Its areas of expertise include agroforestry, water management, small-scale livestock farming and environmental education, among others.
A partnership agreement has also been signed with the Institut de Recherche en Sciences Appliquées et Technologies (IRSAT) for the evaluation of agroecological initiatives.
Characterization of agroecological initiatives in Burkina Faso
During the first year of the project, the identification and characterization of agroecological initiatives led to the production of a total of 5 initiative sheets. These sheets present the background, context and development trajectory of the initiatives, as well as the main lessons learned in terms of the FAO’s ten elements of agroecology.
Following are the factsheets presenting the Burkinabè’s Initiatives
- Bioprotec
- Bocage Sahélien , de l’ONG TERRE VERTE (www.eauterreverdure.org)
- Conseil National de l’agriculture biologique
- Gestion communautaire de la forêt de Baoudoumboin
- Maraîchage
Evaluation of agroecological initiatives
The project partners have carried out an evaluation of two agroecological initiatives:
– Ecological market gardening in the Burkinabe Sahel: launched in 2004 with the support of the Association pour la Recherche et la Formation en Agroécologie (ARFA), this initiative aims to develop market gardening sites in order to ensure food security, combat poverty and preserve natural resources. The activities implemented are as follows: (1) the production and use of organic inputs; (2) the establishment of local relay farmers and farmer trainers for local supervision and peer training; (3) action research for the co-construction of knowledge (researchers, development agents, farmers); (4) the organization of exchanges between farmers (“field schools” approach, “Family Farm Consulting” approach, exchange trips) to build capacity and trigger change; and (5) support for the marketing of ecological market garden produce.
– CNABio’s Bio SPG (Participatory Guarantee System): This initiative follows on from the creation of the Conseil National de l’Agriculture Biologique (CNABio), and the subsequent implementation of the Burkinabe organic farming standard and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), an organic certification system that is an alternative to third-party certification, inexpensive and adapted to the local context. The “Bio SPG” initiative, implemented nationwide since 2013, aims to: (1) reduce the cost of certification; (2) provide good-quality foodstuffs to national consumers; (3) develop the national market for BioSPG products; (4) improve the living conditions of small-scale agroecological producers; (5) encourage the adoption of agroecology (farming practices).
Find a summary of the results of the evaluation of these two initiatives – to be posted online
Contribution to local agro-ecology promotion dynamics
The project partners drew on existing agro-ecology stakeholder consultation frameworks in Burkina Faso to contribute to the promotion of agro-ecology at local and national levels. The pre-existence of this type of stakeholder network (civil society, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, etc.) amplified the dissemination of the project’s lessons and advocacy messages, while helping to strengthen local dynamics.
Read the article on the Burkina Faso National Workshop
Development of technical guides for agroecology trainers
With a view to capitalizing on and disseminating the knowledge developed by Burkina Faso’s agroecological community of practice, technical guides for agroecology promotion activities have been developed for trainers and other agroecology practitioners. Their aim is to help communities of practice gain a better understanding of agroecology.
Discover the 3 guides: