Burkina Faso: Kalifa, a Passionate Advocate for Soilless Farming

By Mohamed El Habib Cisse, Communication officer, WV Burkina Faso

A mason by trade, Kalifa lives in Boromo, in the Boucle du Mouhoun region of Burkina Faso. His income was not enough to meet all his family's needs. To supplement his resources, he tended a small vegetable garden in his backyard, but he had bigger ambitions: he wanted to practice soilless farming. Unfortunately, he lacked the financial resources, equipment and training to make his dream a reality.

The project that changed his life 

Kalifa heard about an innovative project called "Developing Resilience and Reducing Malnutrition in Burkina Faso", implemented by World Vision with funding from the World Food Programme (WFP). The project aims to strengthen the capacity of agro-pastoral producers to face climate and economic challenges. Kalifa decided to sign up as a volunteer to benefit from training in soilless farming, an interesting alternative for agricultural production in urban areas.

Thanks to this opportunity, he gained valuable knowledge and quickly mastered the techniques of this innovative farming method, which is particularly suited to urban environments. In addition to the training, he received a set of agricultural tools, including wire netting, seeds, fertiliser, watering cans, hoes, shovels, wheelbarrows, rakes, gloves and boots - everything he needed to get started.

In just one week, Kalifa managed to create his soilless garden. The initial results were encouraging: his garden was transformed into a lush green space, his family began to enjoy healthier meals, and his children developed a passion for gardening. He quickly diversified his production to include cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, reducing food costs and improving their quality of life.

Faced with the challenges of the climate, especially the intense heat that slowed plant growth, Kalifa showed great ingenuity. He built a shelter to protect his crops and optimise their development. Today, he is one of the 80 beneficiaries of the programme and is excited about the future. But his ambitions don't stop there: he wants to increase his production, sell his crops and share his knowledge with other farmers, thereby contributing to the food security of his community.

Kalifa's story is truly inspirational. Thanks to his courage, hard work and the support of the project, he has been able to transform his life and that of his family. His journey is a powerful testament to the power of resilience and innovation in building a better future.