Soilless Farming: The future of food?

Soilless Farming: The future of food?

In the semi-urban communities surrounding Bobo-Dioulasso, southern Burkina Faso, climate change and lack of available agricultural land means many women are unable to earn a meaningful income from agriculture.

To address this challenge, in 2022 we launched Seed to Stall, an innovative project supporting 230 women to produce organic vegetables using a soilless farming technique. Vegetables are grown in greenhouses, utilising solar powered drip irrigation technologies to ensure year round production, despite severe climate challenges.

Disused land has been transformed into a productive farming area, generating a sustainable source of income for the women & increasing the availability of organic food contributing towards local food security.

To deliver this project we are working in partnership with the Platforme Nationale Commerce Equitable du Burkina (PNCE-B), a network supporting fair trade businesses across Burkina Faso, and Groupe d'Action des Femmes pour la Relance Economique du Houet (GAFREH), a social enterprise and NGO based in Bobo-Dioulasso working to increase the socio-economic empowerment of over 6,000 women. The Institute of Rural Development at the local Nazi Boni University is also providing additional technical support.

Watch our recording of the event below to learn more about this innovative project and hear from three speakers:

Kodzo Korkortsi is Shared Interest Foundation (SIF) Manager based in Accra, Ghana. Kodzo will introduce the work of SIF and give an overview of our current activities.

Issaka Sommandé is founding member and current President of PNCE-B. Issaka will discuss the challenges facing communities in Bobo-Dioulasso and how this project is providing women with an opportunity to engage in agriculture, and increase their income for improved livelihoods.

Dr. Salifou Ouédraogo is the Head of the Institute of Rural Development at Nazi Boni University in Bobo-Dioulasso and Chair of Greening Africa Together, a network of universities, NGO’s and institutions collaborating to empower and enable African youth to fight climate change. Dr. Ouédraogo will discuss how the techniques utilised in this soilless farming method can overcome the local challenges facing agriculture, contribute towards increased food security and transform how food is produced in this region.

Following the presentations there will be a Q&A session.  

If you have any questions about this event please email foundation@shared-interest.com