Story by Permafund’s Louise Learmont – by Farm Sahel in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a land-locked country in Africa, one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries, ranking 134th of 137 according to the World Bank/UN Human Development Index. With just 3 months of rain per year, the Sahel region in the north is the driest, having suffered from deforestation and degradation over the last few decades. The region is also faced with terrorism.
For this project, 50 smallholder women farmers of Binde region were provided with composting and agroforestry training to plant 500 tangelo trees alongside annual crops. The main emphasis is the need to obtain a yield, enhance food security, generate income for participants and knowledge share with husbands and neighbouring communities.
5 hectares of land had been donated by the chief of the village for the project aiming to help restore this degraded land, improve and revitalise soil health and equip farmers to better face climate change.
A 2024 Permafund grant of $2,000 was used to purchase the 500 tangelo plants as well as have trainers oversee the project. Before planting the tangelo trees, the holes were dug and filled with compost the women farmers had made using organic matter from crop residues, kitchen scraps, dry leaves, cow manure and ash.
Due to unusually excessive rainfall at the end of 2024 the planting of the trees was delayed until April 2025 to ensure the success of the project.
Farm Sahel had already successfully installed solar powered water wells, so ongoing watering of the trees is possible. Also, women farmers have been trained to make their own biological pesticides using neem kernels, onion, chilli, garlic and neem oil, for use should the trees succumb to pests and diseases.
Alongside the tangelo trees, watermelons trail the ground, helping to reduce evaporation plus chilli and basil are grown alongside as insect repellent plants. In the future they would like to increase the biodiversity of the tangelo orchard by planting papaya trees. Food crops already being grown include cucumbers, onions, lettuce and cabbage.
This project has come about due to the dedication of the founding Executive Director Madjalia Seynou, winner of the World of Difference award by the International Alliance for Women.
Madjalia grew up in Burkina Faso and knows the difficulties young rural women of Burkina Faso face, growing up in remote regions in polygamous family communities. Madjalia, whose father was a teacher, was able to receive an education and furthering this by becoming an accountant and migrating to New Jersey. She speaks of her childhood remembering how her father would allow 19 students to live with them during weekdays to avoid walking the 5-6 km to school daily.
Through her leadership, FarmSahel has provided smallholder women farmers with the resources, training, and support needed to improve food security, increase income and lift their communities out of poverty; all whilst improving soil fertility, emphasising community-based participatory methods, addressing climate change and promoting regenerative agricultural practices.
If you would like to know more about Farm Sahel visit https://www.farmsahel.org/
The proceeds of fundraisers and donations to Permafund are gratefully received and so far have supported seed funding grants for 93 community projects in Australia and 16 other countries. Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible in Australia and can be made here.
In the spirit of fairshare, the 2025 Permafund grant round opening shortly will focus on applications from Australasia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
For more information, please contact permafund@permacultureaustralia.org.au
