Promoting Agricultural Sustainability in the Sahel: "Tea Debates" on Mulching Technology

New “tea debate” series engages local communities in meaningful discussions about agricultural practices, and mulching in particular.

Colorful poster with text box and 6 images showing local farmers performing mulching

Poster of the Guiera Senegalensis mulching technique in Niakhar, Senegal Photo Credit: CSE

Colorful poster with text box and 4 images demonstrating recommended and not recommended practices

Poster of the mulching technique with millet residues in Niakhar, Senegal Photo Credit: CSE

New activities to engage local communities

As part of the "Sustain Sahel" project, Work Package 3 (WP3) is rolling out a series of activities, including "tea-debates", aimed at engaging local communities in meaningful discussions about sustainable agricultural practices. These discussions focus in particular on the adoption of mulching technology, emphasising the use of shrub biomass, notably Guiera senegalensis, as well as crop residues such as millet. This technique shows promise for improving soil health, increasing agricultural productivity and mitigating the effects of climate change.

To facilitate this activity, the SSC in charge of WP8 has developed a visual aid: a poster detailing the various stages of mulching technology and highlighting its many advantages. The result of close collaboration between agricultural experts, researchers and members of local communities, this poster is an effective way of raising awareness and educating farmers about the importance of mulching. It provides a comprehensive overview of this sustainable farming practice, detailing every process from collecting leaves and residues to spreading them.

These "tea debates" are scheduled for May in the 39 villages of the commune of Niakhar, one of the project sites in Senegal. This will be an opportunity for farmers, researchers and community representatives to discuss and share their experiences and the results obtained through mulching. This participatory approach aims to ensure community ownership of mulching technology, thereby promoting its sustainability and expansion on a regional scale.

As well as exchanging knowledge, these tea-debates will help to strengthen social ties and encourage collaboration and collective commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. This WP3 activity represents a crucial step in promoting agricultural sustainability and disseminating the "Sustain Sahel" project. By highlighting mulching technology through an open and inclusive dialogue, these initiatives not only help to improve the livelihoods of rural populations, but also preserve the region's fragile ecosystems for future generations.