Farmers opt for nature-based solutions to preserve soil and crops

Hello everyone, and welcome to our program. For several years now, farmers have noticed the progressive degradation and impoverishment of their soil and a decline in the quality of their crops. These problems are partly due to erosion and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides as well as the effects of climate change.

Today, we turn our attention to Sikasso, Mali’s third-largest region. In this area, where over half the population relies on agriculture for a living, farmers are increasingly turning to nature-based solutions to address these challenges. These solutions involve using ecosystems and their resources such as forests, soil, water and biodiversity in a sustainable way to improve crops, protect the environment and strengthen community livelihoods. With today’s guests, we will explore the use of these solutions in agriculture, focusing particularly in the Sikasso region.

First, we’ll start with Mr. Lassina Sanogo, a farmer from Sikasso, who will discuss the challenges he has faced due to the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and explain how nature-based solutions offer hope to local communities. Next, we will discuss the involvement of women in these practices with Mrs. Fanta Diamoutené, who is also a farmer in the region.

Youssouf Traoré, the team leader of the 2SCALE (Toward Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness Through Learning in Entrepreneurship) program, will then present the support his organization provides to promote these approaches.

Mr. Pierre Coulibaly, an expert in the field and technical assistant for the potato sector at the Luxembourg Agency for Development Cooperation (LuxDev), will then explain what these nature-based solutions entail.
Finally, Mr. Souleymane Yacouba, director of Mali’s National Directorate of Agriculture, will conclude by outlining the government’s position and policies in this area.

SFX: CALLSIGN

Hello and welcome, Mr. Lassina Sanogo. As a farmer in the Sikasso region, what motivated you to adopt nature-based solutions?

Since childhood, we have used chemical fertilizers in agriculture. We were aware of the soil degradation and weakening caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. However, in recent decades, land degradation has reached an alarming level. These chemicals weaken and acidify our soils. They contaminate our groundwater and surfaces. They also degrade biodiversity and impair air quality.

Today, we must cultivate large areas to produce small amounts. The more we use these products, the more fragile our soils become. This increases our need for chemical fertilizers to achieve the desired yield. If we continue this perilous trend, we will end up contaminating everything and making life difficult in our communities. With the consequences multiplying, it’s urgent that we find alternatives. After receiving information and training on these solutions, we realized they could address our concerns. That’s how I got involved. These solutions restore and strengthen soils, improve crop quality, and protect biodiversity.

What nature-based solutions do you use today, and how do you implement them?

We use many solutions. The most well-known and widely used are the natural fertilizers and organic pesticides we make with our local products. We learned a new technique for making organic fertilizers from a partner NGO. It involves digging a large hole. Those who have the means can cement the inside of the hole for added strength. Then, we fill the hole with organic materials, such as dead leaves, ashes, animal dung, grasses, and dry stems. We divide the hole into two equal parts with cement or bricks and put the materials in one part. Then, we water it with a large amount of water for 45 days. Afterwards, we invert them on the other side of the hole so that the material above can also benefit from the heat. We continue watering, and within two months, we have organic fertilizer. We can produce this fertilizer in large quantities because, as we pour the material into one part of the hole, the other part is automatically ready to receive new material. This rotation system enables us to produce the fertilizer year-round.

We had a program called Soil Values that taught us a simpler composting technique. All you have to do is clear a space, no digging is necessary. Then, we gather a few natural materials: soil from the black termite mound or soil from the plain, charcoal, corn and rice bran, baking powder and sugar. These are sprinkled with water and mixed morning and night. In just 14 days, we obtain the desired quality of fertilizer.
We make organic insecticides by combining products such as garlic, ginger and chili peppers. They are crushed and mixed with water. These products rarely cost more than 500 CFA francs. They are then stored in cans for fermentation for around 15 days. After this time, the final product can be used as an insecticide.

What are the advantages of these nature-based solutions?

Our land is becoming increasingly degraded, making agricultural production difficult. Although this degradation is linked to many factors, the use of chemical fertilizers remains one of the main causes. Using organic or natural fertilizers enables us to restore, strengthen and fertilize our soils. This allows us to produce at a low cost, increase our production and provide our populations with healthy products. Today, we understand that by using them, we protect not only our health but also that of animals that often eat the leaves and the fruits of what we produce. We also know that when soil regains its natural quality, it creates an ideal environment for grasses, plants, and trees to thrive. The entire ecosystem benefits.

How do chemical solutions differ from nature-based solutions?LASSINA SANOGO : Chemical solutions promote rapid crop growth and high productivity. However, the real difference lies in their long-term impact on our land, crops and biodiversity. Nature-based solutions, on the other hand, have no adverse effects on our health, soil or crops. They are particularly effective in restoring land quality while sustainably improving yields. Another important advantage is cost. Nature-based solutions are generally less expensive than chemical products. Before these methods existed, we often had to go into debt to buy chemical fertilizers. Today, nature-based solutions provide us with accessible, renewable resources that we can produce in sufficient quantities ourselves.

Do these solutions enable farmers to increase their yields?

Of course. When we say that nature-based solutions restore the soil, we mean that the land regains its natural ability to produce in large quantity. Since I started using them, my yields have increased every year. The more we use these solutions, the more fertile the land becomes. They work over the long term and save us money. We spend much less on production. The availability of materials also entails that we receive our supplies on time. We haven’t yet conducted a comparative study of the performance of chemical products versus nature-based solutions. However, it’s clear that the trend towards nature-based solutions are much better in terms of productivity. This is because, unlike chemical products, they enable the soil to gradually regain its fertility. We receive training from NGOs to produce these nature-based solutions. They regularly implement projects of this kind to support male and female farmers.

What challenges do you face in using these solutions?

The biggest challenge is equipment support. When producing these organic fertilizers in large quantities, equipment such as wheelbarrows, shovels and tractors is necessary for transporting the excrement, leaves and other materials. However, we manage to get the job done with the resources we have. For example, we have carts for transport. However, it requires a lot of back-and-forth to collect a sufficient quantity. This discourages some growers who have expressed interest in these practices. Therefore, access to better equipment could accelerate the adoption of nature-based solutions and further protect the environment and biodiversity.

Thank you, Mr. Sanogo. Now, let’s turn to Mrs. Fanta Diamoutené, a farmer who has been using nature-based solutions for years. How are women involved in adopting these solutions?

Women participate in information and awareness campaigns. We also participate in training sessions, which are usually initiated by NGOs. However, we must admit that our participation in these initiatives remains limited. It’s important that things change. Women are an important part of our society. Today, women produce as much as men do. They are also affected by the consequences of chemical fertilizers and other environmental hazards.

How do these solutions help women achieve empowerment?

The production of organic fertilizers and insecticides provides women with an important source of income. By producing our own inputs at a lower cost than chemical products, we are able to increase our agricultural production and save the money that was previously spent on purchasing these inputs. These nature-based solutions unite us. Today, we have formed a women’s group dedicated to producing these fertilizers. We also sell our products to other farmers who need them, which is profitable. Thanks to these practices, we can finance several projects ourselves and meet strong demand with numerous orders. Furthermore, we no longer buy chemicals, which benefits our health and the environment.

What specific challenges do women face?

Women face the same challenges as men. We produce the same things as men. However, some of the work is physical. So, we need specific equipment. For example, we need equipment to get termite mounds or soil from the plains. We have to travel long distances and dig the soil with pickaxes. You also need carts or tractors to transport these materials when producing in quantity. Renting tractors for transportation is expensive. A single trip can cost twenty-five thousand CFA francs or more, depending on the distance.

Without the right equipment, work becomes difficult. We also don’t benefit from government funding. We often need financial resources for labor. When women are called in to save time and fertilizer, they must be paid and fed daily. If you don’t have animals, you must buy their manure as well as coal. For example, we produced ten tons of organic fertilizer using these new natural techniques that respect the environment. This process cost five hundred and fifty thousand francs Cfa (550,000f). However, this price would be much higher if we had to purchase the same quantity of chemical fertilizer.

Thank you very much Mrs. Diamoutené. Now, let’s turn to Youssouf Traoré, the inclusive agribusiness advisor for the Dutch organization “International Fertilizer Development Center” (Centre International pour la Fertilité des Sols). What is your role in the fight against soil and crop degradation?

We promote good agricultural practices. In our projects and programs, we promote environmentally friendly activities. Our support is not financial. We provide training and networking support. We invest in training according to need. If women farmers need training and we lack the necessary skills, we hire consultants. We can also connect them with banks to finance their projects. We also connect them with other partners, such as economic operators who purchase their products.

We have trained many farmers. We operate in several regions, including Sikasso, Koulikoro, Dioïla, San, Ségou and Mopti. We intend to extend these activities to all regions of the country. However, the security context adds a layer of complexity to this task.

Now it’s Pierre Coulibaly’s turn. He is an expert and technical assistant for the potato sector at the Luxembourg Development Agency (LuxDev). Technically speaking, how are these organic fertilizers and insecticides made?

Mrs. Diamoutené explained very well how Bokashi is made. However, there’s another way of making it. This method involves collecting some of the soil from the area to be cultivated. This is mixed with tree leaves, straw, charcoal, millet or rice bran and ash. Then, a solution is made with baking powder and sugar. The liquid is sprinkled over the other materials, ensuring that it touches all the constituent elements. To make organic pesticides, boil two (2) liters of water and add three sachets of powdered soap while keeping it on the heat. Once the solution is homogeneous, remove it from the heat and wait ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes before adding 1 liter of oil. Stir in one direction only. Then we add either chili powder or sugar. This mixture is our insect repellent, because it doesn’t kill insects. Rather, it drives them away. When using it, you must add nine times the quantity of water to the insect repellent before applying it to the crops.

What is the impact of these solutions on land, crops and biodiversity?

With these solutions, soils become loose, fertile and healthy again. This increases yields. Unlike pesticides, which kill insects, insect repellents chase them away. This preserves the insects that are so important to biodiversity. So, natural products maintain and develop soil fertility over the long term. They nourish plants, improve product quality and combat physical destruction, such as erosion, and chemical destruction, such as acidification of soils. They also increase the products’ shelf life, ensuring consumer health.

How can farmers reconcile the use of nature-based solutions with profitability?

To reconcile the two approaches, there is need to adopt a reasoned use of chemicals. First, complementarity between natural fertilizers and biopesticides and synthetic chemicals can optimize yields. However, farmers should also embark on a gradual transition by seeking sustainable alternatives, in order to reduce and then eliminate the use of chemicals in the long term.

How can these practices be popularized for greater impact?

We need to strengthen local capacities by training producers (pilots) who can disseminate the practices of the new solutions in local languages and according to local realities. This creates a lasting multiplier effect. We also need demonstrations, pilot fields, and easier access to natural inputs. Information and awareness campaigns through local radio stations, social networks, and agricultural fairs are needed to popularize the environmental, economic, and health benefits of these methods to a wider audience. Close monitoring and technical support, such as exchange and experience-sharing visits and farm coaching, are also needed to answer practical questions and adjust methods according to local needs. The state must also integrate these nature-based solutions into its agricultural policy by launching national support programs and providing subsidies to producers. This would be an essential step in generalizing these practices and encouraging genuine a genuine change of scale.

Thank you very much, Mr. Coulibaly. Finally, we will listen to our last speaker, Mr. Souleymane Yacouba, Director of Mali’s National Directorate of Agriculture. What is the State’s policy on protecting soil, land and biodiversity?

The State’s policy is part of a global approach to sustainable development, food security and environmental preservation. Regarding soil protection, there are initiatives to combat land degradation and promote sustainable soil management. One notable initiative is the National Action Program to Combat Desertification (PAN-LCD). The state promotes agroecological techniques, such as composting, reforestation, and agroforestry, among others. Regarding crop protection, the state regulates the availability of inputs on the market, controlling their import, distribution, and use to combat harmful and counterfeit products. The State promotes the use of certified improved seeds and combats harmful organisms through the Office de Protection des Végétaux (OPV). The State also strengthens research through the Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER). The State controls product quality to protect consumer health.

How do you assist farmers with implementing nature-based solutions?

: DNA provides support through training and awareness-raising on agroecological practices, the use of compost, biopesticides and soil conservation techniques. The State provides technical support and supervision via decentralized agricultural services and extension agents. It provides subsidies and initiates pilot projects to encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies.

How much funding does the government provide in this area?

Direct support for agroecology, organic fertilizers, biopesticides and sustainable practices remains limited. However, efforts have been made in this direction and are expected to increase. Overall, the national budget allocated to agriculture is close to 10-15% of public spending, in line with the commitments of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program’s (CAADP) target of 10%.
HOST: Do we have any statistics on the use of these solutions in Mali?

To date, Mali has no comprehensive, centralized national statistics on the use of these solutions. However, what we do know from certain studies conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) and other NGO partners indicate that less than 20% of Malian farmers regularly use agroecological or natural solutions.

What are the Malian government’s objectives in this sector?

Today, the government is committed to a vision of agroecological transition, climate resilience and support for small-scale producers, especially women and youths. It seeks to promote sustainable and resilient agriculture, secure farmers’ incomes by developing local value chains, ensure food and nutritional security, adapt agriculture to climate change and modernize the agricultural sector. All of this must be done with strategic frameworks that support these objectives.

Thank you, Mr Souleymane.

We’ve come to the end of today’s program. Sikasso, Mali’s third region, is experiencing a deterioration in soil and crop quality due to natural factors as well as the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These problems affect the soil, but people and biodiversity. In response, farmers are increasingly opting for natural solutions that protect soils and crops, improve product quality, increase yields, while safeguarding biodiversity and consumer health. These solutions include organic fertilizers and biopesticides.

Farmers can also count on NGOs for technical support and training. The State has a national policy that promotes the use of these solutions. Its aim is to intensify its actions, modernize agriculture and adapt it to climate change by relying on nature-based solutions. This concludes today’s program. Thank you for your attention. Thanks to my guests for being here, and see you soon for another program.