The project’s test phase began in 2005 through two DCG member NGOs, namely AMAPROS, operating in the region of Segou, and KILABO, operating in the region of Koulikoro. In 2006, for the sake of agro-ecological diversification and extension of activities, the international NGO CARE was made to join in for the region of Mopti. Thus, three strategic options were developed and tested for implementing research activities. These strategies included identification of farmers’ expertise and know-how in the area of natural resource management; synergy development between the different partners intervening in the project and the creation of a forum of exchange and result discussions.
The following technologies were tested under the Ecofarm project.
Farming technologies:
- Seed priming in order to facilitate germination
- Use of small quantities of mineral fertilizer in poquets where millet and sorghum are sown (microdose)
- Priming/microdose combination
- Millet-cowpea association
- Manure/compost application
Livestock technology:
- Establishment of the fodder park based on Gliricidia sepium
- Development of improved fattening based on millet bran and cow-pea straw
Improved human nutrition:
- Moringa oleifera and garden baobab feed banks
- Moringa and baobab based cooking demonstration
Agroforestry:
- Plantation of improved Ziziphus mauritiana trees
- Live fence establishment (Acacia niolitica, Acacia tumida)
- Village woodlot establishment
These technologies were presented to the farmers as a basket of choices.
Technologies such as fertilizer microdose have been subsequently modified through research and by the farmers according to the socio-economic and biophysical characteristics specific to their environment. This process consequently led to the creation by farmers of economic farms with several variations, according not only to th agro-economic objectives but also the profitability of their investment. Thus, in CARE, AMAPROS and KILABO areas, farms with baobab beds, moringa beds, and Gliricidia sepium beds combined with the fertilizer microdose were identified for men. The women have mostly developed farms using fertilizer microdose with the sorghum/cowpea or millet/cowpea associations combined with baobab beds, moringa beds and the animal fattening program.
These farms are clear answers to climate change (lower soil fertility and rainfall, environmental degradation, decreased incomes, etc.) through better ownership and better use of agricultural and agro-forestry technologies. The micro-dose technology has had positive effects on crop yields. Likewise, the agro-forestry technologies such as baobab beds, moringa beds, jujube tree cultivars, live fences, Gliricidia sepium based fodder banks, have helped not only improve the nutritional quality through absorption of vitamins A and C, but also control environmental degradation. Environmentally, farmers explained that they needed less clearing of new land because they had higher crop yields.
The Ecofarm project has already been used as a model for other projects which are in the course of development.