On the occasion of the EWA-BELT General Assembly, held on September 27, 2024, at Spazio Cairoli in Milan, the ACRA Foundation, represented by Rachele Stentella and Brice Nicodeme Koudougou illustrated its efforts to harness traditional knowledge for sustainable crop protection in East and West Africa. Focusing on the rediscovery of botanical resources such as Cassia nigricans and their integration into modern agricultural practices, ACRA emphasized the importance of collaborative research, working with local farmers and communities to design effective and locally relevant crop protection strategies.
Modern agricultural systems often rely heavily on synthetic pesticides, which are not only costly but often difficult for smallholder farmers to access due to economic constraints and limited availability. This generates a high necessity for alternative, locally sourced, affordable, and sustainable solutions. Within the EWABELT Project, ACRA’s approach begins by exploring traditional practices and adapting them through participatory research, focusing on the use of botanical extracts like Cassia nigricans alongside complementary methods such as intercropping, crop rotation, and improved soil and water management strategies.
Cassia nigricans, known locally as “zandr kouka” in Burkina Faso, has traditionally been used for post-harvest crop protection. However, over time, this knowledge has diminished, as many farmers no longer recognize or use the plant. Through interviews and collaboration with the INERA research institute, ACRA reintroduced the use of Cassia nigricans for crop protection, initially focusing on cowpea and cotton. The results of their trials have been promising, with extracts proving as effective as Neem-based products and, in some cases, even more efficient than untreated controls. This success has encouraged farmers to adopt Cassia nigricans in their practices, with some expanding its use to other crops like maize.
In the field trials conducted, ACRA compared Cassia nigricans with widely used Neem-based extracts and synthetic pesticides. While both plant-based treatments performed well, Cassia nigricans showed significant benefits, particularly in its ability to fight pests during the growing season. The results were even more pronounced in the second year of testing, where Cassia nigricans outperformed Neem extracts and was as effective as synthetic pesticides. This comparison highlights the potential of locally sourced botanicals to reduce dependency on agrochemicals while offering sustainable, affordable solutions for farmers.
One of the critical aspects of ACRA’s research was testing these botanical solutions in diverse locations and under different conditions. In Burkina Faso, ACRA collaborated with the local cooperative “Tegawendé” to test Cassia nigricans extracts. After successfully sharing the results with farmers, the cooperative members decided to incorporate the extract into their farming practices. This type of community-based research ensures that solutions are adaptable to local conditions and needs.
In addition to agronomic benefits, ACRA’s research also integrates economic analysis. A cost-benefit analysis conducted by Gramsci University revealed that Cassia nigricans offers a higher benefit-cost ratio (BCR) than both synthetic pesticides and Neem extracts. The ability to harvest Cassia nigricans directly from the wild provides a significant economic advantage, as farmers can produce their own pesticide without purchasing expensive chemicals. The analysis also highlighted that the bio-pesticide, being locally available, is more accessible and cost-effective for farmers in resource-constrained environments.
Scaling up these practices involves the creation of standardized protocols for data collection, and harmonizing experimental designs across multiple research locations to ensure robust results. However, challenges persist, such as variability in efficacy depending on the specific local environment. As a result, ACRA continues to test the best-performing botanical treatments across various regions, including Loumbila, where Cassia nigricans naturally grow. These trials are crucial for validating the data and ensuring that solutions can be applied in diverse agricultural settings. Moreover, ACRA’s long-term goal is to develop sustainable value chains, which will further empower farmers to produce these botanicals themselves, creating local economies based on plant protection.
Beyond the agronomic and economic benefits, ACRA’s initiative also focuses on social impact. The involvement of local communities, particularly through cooperatives like Tegawendé, ensures that the adoption of new agricultural practices is deeply rooted in local culture and knowledge. These cooperative efforts also highlight the importance of strengthening local networks and reinforcing traditional practices, which are often overlooked in the face of modern agricultural methods. By fostering a deeper connection between the research and the communities it aims to serve, ACRA’s approach ensures that solutions are not only scientifically viable but also socially accepted and beneficial.
The project also places a strong emphasis on disseminating findings in local languages, ensuring that the results reach a broad audience and are easily accessible to the farmers who will benefit most. This is particularly important in the context of Burkina Faso and other African countries where language barriers and limited access to formal education often hinder the adoption of new agricultural techniques. ACRA aims to bridge this gap through inclusive communication strategies that involve the local population in every step of the process.
The significance of this initiative extends far beyond crop protection. It exemplifies the potential of integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches to create sustainable agricultural systems. As climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities in farming, these alternative methods are essential tools for resilience. By reducing reliance on harmful agrochemicals, promoting biodiversity, and empowering local communities, ACRA’s work contributes to the creation of healthier, more sustainable ecosystems.
As ACRA continues its research, it plans to test other promising botanicals and refine their techniques for a wider range of crops. Their work exemplifies the mission of the EWA-BELT project: fostering collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in agriculture to support smallholder farmers in East and West Africa.
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