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Company News on Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Source: Graphic.com.gh
2018-11-27
Sodre Aminata in her aubergine farm
More than 90% of women contribute to Burkina Faso's agricultural sector. However, the increasing effects of climate change; resulting in adverse drought during the dry season in this country of West Africa, requires farmers to use diesel powered water pumps for irrigation. However, because of the expensive nature of such an irrigation system, farmers such as Sodre Aminata have returned to rainfed agriculture; which means that they could only cultivate once a year.
Aminata, a member of an badociation of farmer groups called SIDWAYA in Ramitenga, a village located in the rural community of Loumbila, in the Central Plateau region of the country, breathes a sigh of relief following the Introduction of a drip irrigation system by the Burkina Faso Water Country Partnership (CWP-BF) and the Global Water Partnership for West Africa (GWP-WA) ).
With a mid-morning temperature of about 37 ° C in November, an arid atmosphere and no clouds in sight, it is certain that the rains are far from the region.
Nevertheless, since the introduction of the system four years ago, Aminata and her colleagues are less worried about the extreme weather conditions her region is facing because she is able to grow fruits and legumes not only to domestic use but also for commercial purposes.
Before the introduction of the drip irrigation system, such as Aminata, SIDWAYA members relied on a diesel pump motor that drew water from a well 31 m deep to facilitate the irrigation of their farms. But this process was tedious and in case of breakdown, farmers had to make little effort to repair it.
In addition to the necessary manpower, the cost of fuel for the generator meant that farmers were spending the little money they were making with the sale of their agricultural produce to run the pump. . making it economically inefficient.
Worse, the arrival of the dry season made it practically impossible, if not impossible, to absorb well water because of the low capacity of the generator; and this meant that farmers could only grow once a year; which makes them unused most of the time during the dry season.
However, the introduction of the drip irrigation system has changed the way of life of Aminata and fellow farmers.
Today, they are able to cultivate their land and cultivate their crops even in the absence of rain. allowing them to harvest farm produce about three times a year and to support the family through the sale of their products.
What was done?
The CWP-BF in collaboration with eight other institutions developed and implemented the WACDEP Demonstration Project on a site provided by SIDWAYA members.
The project aims to achieve drip irrigation for market gardening using solar energy as a measure of adaptation to climate change and poverty alleviation. Its ultimate goal is to achieve effective management of agricultural water for vulnerable Ramitenga populations.
The project involves providing a solar powered pump allowing farmers to pump well water from a depth of 31 meters up to a water well located at the site boundaries. The water drained from the water tower is then transported to the irrigated plots.
Success
During the visit to the project site by about twenty journalists participating in a workshop on integrated drought and flood management organized in collaboration with GWP-WA and the Volta Basin Authority (VBA) ), Aminata presents us his exploitation fruits.
Obviously pleased with the progress of her farm, Aminata says she is now able to cultivate all year after the introduction of drip irrigation system; which makes it an economical sound. She says that she now operates efficiently with a minimum of physical energy.
"When we were using the generator, it meant getting water from the well to my farm. But now, I do not carry water in buckets anymore. The use of solar powered pump allows to send water directly to my farm. "
"In addition, we are no longer wasting water and water is also available for home use. So I can water my crops without worrying about what I will drink because water is available. And there is enough water to help me grow okro, eggplant and peanuts two or three times a year. "
According to Aminata, during the dry season, they also build nurseries for crops such as potatoes. These nurseries are watered by means of a drip irrigation system and, at the beginning of the rainy season, cabbages are transferred to the beds.
Tiemtore Kasmane, vice president of the group, explains that the introduction of the drip irrigation system has provided a mechanized agricultural practice, but has also led to harmony among members at the within SIDWAYA and the village as a whole.
According to him, when profits are made from farms, this money is used to buy maize and shared among poor families in the village.
He also notes that to ensure the sustainability of the project, 33% of the profits made are set aside for the maintenance of the system.
challenges
Although the provision of a solar powered drip irrigation system is economically efficient, members of this group of small farmers have expressed their concerns about the impact. climate change on their livelihoods.
"When the sun does not shine, it is difficult to generate energy to start the pump. We wanted to have batteries to store the energy we receive from the sun when it shines, "said Kasmane.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, it is worth noting and comforting the fact that Soobre and his fellow farmers are seeing greenery despite droughts resulting from GWP-WA's intervention in its integrated drought and flood management projects; bringing relief and smiles to the people of Ramitenga.
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