Moringa olifeira is not new to most Burkinabes. The leaves have been used as a favored ingredient in green soups and salty stews for generations. Elders and traditional herbalists continue to possess knowledge about the tree’s medicinal uses ranging from a quick remedy for constipation to being a main ingredient in a powerful blood tonic. … Continue reading »
Sesame on the horizon
This special little seed requires little to no fertilizer, and is resistant to most pests and diseases. I learned that beginning in 2012, the government will be providing support for sesame farmers in this province, with an aim to dramatically increase sesame production both for domestic consumption and for export. This was among the many topics covered in my initial and magical meeting with Asela.
Movements in Kindi Kombou
Just before dusk, I reached the small city of Diapaga, the capital of Tapoa province. There I met Yonli and another brother who travelled from Kindi Kombou to pick me up. After munching on some fresh carrots and repairing a hole in the front tire of the motorcycle, we were off. The poor condition of the road forced us onto smaller, thorny paths running parallel, causing us to fishtail and wreck (only once) into an eroded ditch. At times, we became momentarily blinded by thick, opaque clouds of dust kicked up by massive lorries laden with tons of recently harvested cotton.
New Moon in Bissiri
During this season, everything and everyone is chronically covered with an umber layer of dust. Wet clothes take no more than twenty minutes to dry, giving the impression that even the air is thirsty. Before making the 40 kilometer motorcycle ride from Ouagadougou to Bissiri, Dada Purusottama wrapped his face and head in an orange turban; and I in a keffiyeh. Just after sunrise (looking like a couple of bandits), we set off on the cavity ridden dirt road, navigating our way quickly through the thick clouds of Sahelian soot.
The Association for the Discovery of Manna – Kindi Kombou, Burkina Faso
Located about 12 hours east of Ouagadougou, near the border of Benin and Niger, Kindi Kombou is home to the Gurmantche people. In this extremely remote area, there is little to no social infrastructure to speak of and the people are 100% dependent on agriculture as their source of livelihood.
Agriculture Cooperative in Bissiri, Burkina Faso
Our initial work in Bissiri involves the facilitated creation of a worker-owned and run agricultural cooperative and business that will grow, process and feed the growing domestic and international demand for dried Moringa – the tropical miracle tree. In addition, we are engaged in skills training for local farmers to help them gain practical skills they wish to learn; like capturing their animals’ manure and turning it into an agricultural fertilizer.
