February 28, 2022

Revitalizing cassava cultivation in Kotudeni, Burkina Faso

Staple Crops

Burkina Faso

Cassava plays an undeniable role in the fight against food insecurity and in improving the incomes of producers, particularly of smallholder farmers. According to the FAO, cassava is an alternative foodstuff to the increasingly recurrent food deficits in the Sahel region, especially during the lean season, and represents a source of income diversification for small farmers. With this in mind, and with the aim of improving food and nutritional security, as well as the income of small-scale producers, the 2SCALE program has facilitated the revitalization of cassava cultivation in the village of Kotudeni, which has long faced several challenges.

Between training and changes in cultivation habits, TRAORE Djenebou, a cassava producer, shares her story.

Prior to the 2SCALE program, I had no knowledge of good cassava growing practices or the different varieties of cassava. I cultivated without taking into account a certain number of details on the technical itineraries of cassava.

In her forties, with a daba proudly on her shoulder, Djenebou welcomes us to her cassava field of about 2 hectares, located in the village of Kotudeni in the rural commune of Orodara. She is quick to show us the harmonious growth of the stalks as well as the foliage in her field. Everything leads us to believe that Djenebou is confident of a quality harvest, of an optimal yield and of the availability of a guaranteed market for the sale of her production.

She is joined by women from the area around her field. They are all cassava growers and intend to join Djenebou's voice to tell of their success in cassava production.

Discovering new varieties of cassava

Previously, Djenebou grew a variety called "Calaoulé. With a fairly short production cycle and low yield, it always performed below expectations. Two years ago, as part of the cassava partnership with NanAlim, 2SCALE introduced the V5 variety. Highly appreciated by the attiéké processing units, the V5 variety has enabled Djenebou to have new commercial outlets. She explained:

The knowledge of the V5 variety thanks to the 2SCALE program allowed me to evaluate the positive advantages of this variety compared to the "Calaoulé" variety in terms of yield and the improvement of my income thanks to our connection with NanAlim which buys our productions at a good price.

NanAlim is the business champion of the cassava partnership in Burkina Faso. Headed by Ms. Nana Sabine, the company aims to improve the organization of the attiéké value chain for a better inclusion of smallholder farmers and women processors of local cassava in order to limit the import of semi-processed cassava from neighboring countries.

Before the commercial relationship of Djenebou with NanAlim, she would sell her cassava in Orodara without the guarantee of being able to sell it.

"I spent a lot of money on transportation and once the night fell, I was obliged to sell them at a low price in order to join my family in Kotudeni. Often, my products were paid on credit over several months by buyers. Today, this is a distant nightmare thanks to the partnership."

The women of Koduteni have defeated the men in the production of cassava

In Kotudeni, cassava cultivation used to be the preserve of men. Today, women own more fields than men in cassava production. Thanks to the support of the cassava partnership, the number of women involved in cassava production has increased. Djenebou is proud of this, as she has been a model for attracting other women to this crop.

Every woman wants to be financially independent and have an opportunity to contribute to her family and community well-being. The 2SCALE program has contributed to the realization of this desire of the women of Kotudeni. Today, my success in cassava production has encouraged other women to cultivate cassava.

As if that wasn't enough, Djenebou continues her sensitization to encourage more women. To do so, she suggests many solutions, some of them being very funny.

“I advise women to be active in cassava production. As the land belongs to men in Kotudeni, I ask women who do not have portions of land to have gentle manners with their husbands in order to enjoy the socio-economic benefits of cassava production”.

At this word, she and her peers burst out laughing.

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