Newsletter 4 – Experiments
December 2024
Experiments and optimisations of Bio-Based Technologies within the DIVAGRI project are vividly reflected in the activities described across the stories published this month. Each initiative contributes to advancing sustainable agricultural practices through focused trials and iterative improvements.
The solar desalination greenhouse experiment in Ghana exemplifies innovative approaches to address freshwater scarcity while enhancing agricultural productivity. By creating a microclimate that supports high-value crops, this solution optimises resource use and promotes a circular economy.
Challenges such as corrosion and brine management are tackled through adaptive experimentation, making the technology both sustainable and scalable.
In KwaNdaba, South Africa, optimisation takes the form of introducing alternative farming techniques, such as biochar production and low-energy irrigation systems. These innovations address soil quality issues and water scarcity while diversifying income streams. Trials with niche crops like litchi trees and processes like onion powder production illustrate how experimentation aligns with local conditions to deliver practical, impactful solutions.
Pictured. Farmers in KwaNdaba
South Africa
The Mozambique case highlights the integration of bio-based technologies like Gliricidia intercropping to enhance soil fertility and livestock feed. Through participatory research methodologies, extension officers and farmers co-develop solutions tailored to local needs. This iterative process ensures that technologies are adopted effectively and deliver tangible benefits.
In Botswana, activities such as biochar production, intercropping lablab and maize, and using bio-based inputs like biogas represent a comprehensive strategy to tackle challenges like poor soil quality and water shortages. The experimentation process incorporates feedback from farmers, ensuring the solutions are both practical and innovative.
Efforts in Ghana and Kenya further underscore the project’s commitment to optimisation through collaboration. Intercropping pigeonpea and maize in Ghana improves soil health and yield, while experiments with black soldier fly larvae create sustainable protein sources for livestock. Similarly, in Kenya, biogas systems transform farm waste into energy and fertiliser, contributing to a circular bioeconomy.
These activities demonstrate how DIVAGRI’s emphasis on experimentation and optimisation fosters scalable, locally relevant solutions. Through iterative development, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive technologies, the project not only addresses immediate challenges but also lays the groundwork for long-term sustainability in African agriculture.