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Web | http://www.inter-reseaux.org/ressources-thematiques/article/le-zai-qu-est-ce-que-c-est |
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In Sahel, zai is a traditional system that rehabilitates poor and crusted land productivity that consists of manually digging holes to concentrate runoff waters and organic matter.
This practice is, therefore, an interesting alternative that not only restores and protects the Sahelian ecosystem, but also fights poverty.
Mechanized zai is a technique that can achieve self-sufficiency in food and, in most cases, increase revenues for producers.
The technique’s originality is linked to the benefits gained. It can:
- improve soil permeability
- increase grain and straw production
- increase revenues for small farmers
- reduce work time
- free up the labour force for other activities
The technique helps recover crusted land. In this sense, it allows the Sahelian ecosystem to be restored and protected, but also fights poverty.
The mechanized zai technique is used in several Burkina Faso villages. It can easily be replicated in other places.
The scarcity of quality farmland (degraded land)
The technique fights poverty by improving rural families’ incomes, restoring and protecting the ecosystem.
Comparing production and revenue gains in harvesting sorghum that uses manual zai and mechanized zai (in FCFA) in Burkina Faso:
work time (hrs/ha): 380
Cost of harvesting sorghum: 166,698 FCFA
Sales revenue: 183,968 FCFA
Mechanized zai
work time (hrs/ha): 50
Cost of harvesting sorghum: 76,790 FCFA
Sales revenue: 244,128 FCFA
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