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Jul 17, 2007

Committing to Conservation

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A model plant nursery in Burkina Faso

July 2007

Konfe Idrissa shows off his saplings

In his home village of Pobé-Mengao in Burkina Faso, Konfe Idrissa runs a nursery, producing saplings of local tree species, and legumes like eggplant and peppers. At 36, he’s become a role model for his village – recognized for his commitment to biodiversity conservation and for promoting local crops.

Before he started this venture, Idrissa worked for ten years on the government’s forestry projects. “When that project ended,” he says, “I was left with no means to pursue the forestry work I had trained for.” But he didn’t let that stop him from dreaming.

Between 2004 and 2006, Association for the Protection of Nature in the Sahel (APN Sahel) – USC’s partner in Burkina Faso – arranged to train 20 nursery-farmers in five villages across Soum province. Idrissa made certain he was among them.

Success Story

He not only learned how to carry out an agro-biodiversity program, but he also received starter equipment to produce local species that would begin to benefit his home village, and neighbouring communities.

APN Sahel immediately saw the skill that Idrissa had and knew he would be ideal to take charge of the village nursery in Pobé-Mengao. They arranged for him to get further training from the National Centre for tree seeds in production techniques and nursery management.

“It’s been three years since I started this work, and the nursery is now self-sustaining,” he says. Idrissa harvests the tree seeds himself and produces the compost needed for the potting soil. He treats young shoots against pests using traditional materials produced from neem and pepper seeds or millet cane.

Local Entrepreneur

To meet demand, Idrissa produces 5,000 plants a year – both for individual farmers and for local reforestation projects that APN Sahel is promoting in the villages of Pobé-Mengao, Bougué, and Gargaboulé.

He sells the plants, setting prices based on the usefulness of the species. The least expensive plants – acacia Senegal – are primarily used as live barriers. Tamarind and baobab are more expensive because they’re used for both food and (leaves, seeds, and fruit) and health care (bark, roots).

Idrissa’s Nursery

In all, he’s able to generate annual revenue of 450,000 FCFA (about C$1,125). This is on top of money he earns from selling produce from his family plot. He says, “I’m in a better position than farmers who only rely only on their agricultural plot, but I’m also able to help supply them with local planting materials.”

For Idrissa, it also means he has enough money for expenses like medication, school supplies, and clothing for his three children.