Farmers of Africa practice hydroponics to cultivate all year round
Hydroponics can help meet the food needs of a growing population while also protecting the environment and managing trash. A country in Africa is attempting to assure a year-round supply of veggies regardless of the season.
The art of gardening without soil is known as hydroponics. The term “Hydroponics” comes from the Latin phrase “working water.” Water gets to work in the absence of soil, delivering nutrients, moisture, and oxygen to plant life.
Farmers from different African countries are learning to produce without soil in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital. Water and coconut coir are all that is required to grow green Barbati and tomatoes.
Azaratu Sanogo noticed that the supply of vegetables in the city market decreases at some point in the year. A few years ago, he started using the hydroponics method. He said, “The farmers here have been practicing traditional techniques for growing vegetables from ancient times.”
“But the condition of the soil is awful, and the amount of crop is also declining. Some farmers can no longer even meet their own needs, so there is no question of selling. In my opinion, this method is relatively good. One can ensure more production by purchasing the necessary equipment. “
Experts fear that the production of agricultural products in the Sahel region will decrease by 30 percent. To counter that trend, Azaratu has launched a training center with international assistance. He wants to share his knowledge with others.
The course got already filled up. Thanks to social media, the training news has spread to neighboring countries, Mali, Chad, and Congo. Participants also have a business and personal interests.
Evelyn Dahani as a participant, said, “I am taking this course because I want to produce organic food for myself and my family at any time of the year. In the case of hydroponics, we don’t have to depend on the season. One can harvest by this method all year round. “
With the help of hydroponics, students can quickly learn the techniques of growing big/giant vegetables. For this particular training, they have to pay a fee of 10 Euros. Many take part in more courses spending more money.
Azaratu Sanogo of Baduha Company said, “We decided to run the entire course for four months, as it takes about four months from sowing to harvesting. That way, all stages of production are known. “
“It is essential to master both theoretical knowledge and learn to work hand in hand. Natural ingredients like soil pellets, coconut fiber, or organic fertilizers can use as an alternative to soil. Tomatoes grow in greenhouses even in the rainy season. There are also opportunities to pick them up regularly. Tomatoes, onions, and peppers will be shipped to an organic store shortly.” he added.
A local cooperative sells such vegetables to environmentally conscious buyers. Musa Weedraogo, commercial head of the bio-protective project, said, “Retail channels for organic vegetables are needed to ensure that organic farmers also get a fair wage for their work. Farmers are not only protecting the environment by using organic processes and products, but they are also protecting the health of themselves and their consumers.”
But for many city dwellers, the price of organic food is very high. If possible, they can start cultivating vegetables themselves. A small area of the city got reserved for that purpose. But the municipality fears that such places are declining. Experts estimate that the city’s population will double in the next ten years.
However, waste management companies can also profit by providing organic fertilizer for this new farming process.
Christoph Udraogo, a spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture (Africa), said that “Hydroponic farming brings many benefits to Burkina Faso. In particular, to meet our current problems, we can increase production and diversify crops. At the same time, there is an opportunity to recycle a lot of garbage in the city, which will make the city cleaner and greener. “
Under this initiative, courses got introduced in 20 villages. Azaratu Sanogo has created a ‘Virtual Cooperative’ by interacting with farmers through social media. As a result, wholesome agricultural goods are now available to the people in many different places of Burkina Faso.
