Overview of the project

In West Africa, in reaction to the introduction of improved seeds, hybrids and even genetically modified varieties, more and more farmers are becoming aware of the importance of conserving and selecting their traditional local and peasant varieties.

Seed boxes have their own specificities and history; they must be adapted to each terroir (local materials, shape specific to each region, etc.)

It is in this context that the initiative to propose a model of seed storage granary was launched, within the framework of the PADAV project. This approach is based on studies that have shown the loss of large quantities of crops and the difficulties of preserving farmers’ seeds due to the lack of adequate means and effective conservation techniques. Farmers have expressed a desire to revalorize traditional seed saving and conservation techniques.

A study was conducted by ABK-S among family farms to identify current conservation techniques. Subsequently, it was proposed to improve these techniques or to propose granary models based on abandoned ancestral practices. The proposed models must be adapted to the existing environmental conditions and take into account the recommendations of the inhabitants and experts.

The approach was formative and participatory. The sessions gave rise to enriching discussions with the populations, who recognized that the abandonment of good old practices was harmful to their food security. Also, there was a great deal of support for the proposals that emerged from the work.

The proposed granary model favours materials available in the intervention area (up to 80%). The granary had to be able to accommodate several types of seeds (millet, maize and groundnut), arranged in tiers. These seeds should be protected from spoilage factors (pests, humidity, wind, livestock) with the added use of local plants as a repellent. The granary also had to be built according to fireproof standards.

The model adopted was already in traditional use (Bo granary, Krou-Krou in local language). Technical improvements were made, notably through the involvement of the Service Départemental de Développement Rural (SDDR) in the think tank (RAP). ABK-S will then carry out an awareness campaign on the use of these granaries, and the behaviours to adopt (maintenance, security…). These granaries will make it possible to limit the use of chemical inputs in seed conservation, while allowing farmers to reappropriate ancestral techniques, which are just as effective, if not more so, in the fight against spoilage factors.

The construction of the Bô type conservation granary is based on ancestral know-how, with a modern touch. Their conservation capacity is nearly 450 kg of seeds. The construction of the granary required 80% of materials from the villages, with a large village labour force to ensure multiplication.