In for a penny, in for a pound: strategic site-selection as a key element for on-farm research that aims to trigger sustainable agricultural intensification in West Africa.

Abstract

This paper discusses the conventional research agendas for on-farm experimentation and the challenges of agricultural production in West Africa. IFDC-Africa supports the development of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) strategies through its research and development programmes, in close collaboration with National Agricultural Research and Extension Services and local NGOs. The strategic site-selection promoting the comparative potential for ISFM, are discussed. An overview of pilot zones and villages in the ISFM project is presented. Finally, the equity and gender aspects of IFDC-Africa's approach to on-farm research and development are also discussed.

Economic benefits of combining soil and water conservation measures with nutrient management in semiarid Burkina Faso

“…The above results suggest that under Sahelian conditions, SWC in combination with nutrient management can be used to alleviate risks and to achieve production intensification. This attests that to develop new strategies of agricultural production in sub-Saharan West Africa, one should take into account local SWC technologies and improved practices of soil fertility replenishment ͑Dudal 2002; Schreurs et al 2002͒. …”