Yacouba Sawadogo transformed 62 acres of arid land in Burkina Faso into a thriving ecosystem known as the Bangr-Raaga Forest. By utilizing traditional farming techniques to combat severe desertification, he successfully restored soil health and increased water table levels in the Sahel region, turning barren slopes into productive agricultural space throughout his decades as a local farmer.
Agricultural Innovation
Starting in the 1970s, Sawadogo collaborated with Mathieu Ouédraogo to address the soil degradation caused by recurring droughts. They employed cordons pierreux, which involves placing stones in lines to capture silt and slow rainwater runoff. Complementing this, Sawadogo refined the ancient zaï hole technique. He expanded these planting pits and introduced organic waste and manure. This additive approach provided nutrients for crops like millet and sorghum while attracting termites, whose tunneling activity further aerated the compacted earth.
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The implementation of these techniques produced measurable environmental shifts. Between the mid-1980s and 2009, regional water table levels rose by an average of five metres, with some locations experiencing increases of up to 17 metres. To disseminate these methods, Sawadogo hosted semi-annual Market Days at his farm in Gourga. These events attracted farmers from over one hundred villages to exchange seeds, knowledge, and practical advice on improving land fertility.
Land Disputes and Recognition
As the 62-acre Bangr-Raaga forest grew, Sawadogo faced significant administrative challenges. The city of Ouahigouya annexed the land to generate revenue, leaving Sawadogo and his family with small fractions of the territory he had rehabilitated. Despite these obstacles, his work gained international visibility, aided by organizations like OXFAM UK and the research of Chris Reij. In 2018, he received the Right Livelihood Award, followed by the Champions of the Earth award in 2020. A protective fence was installed around the forest in 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1946, Ouahigouya
- Died: 3 December 2023, Ouahigouya
- Citizenship: Burkina Faso
- Primary Occupation: Farmer
- Forest Name: Bangr-Raaga (Forest of Wisdom)
- Right Livelihood Award: 2018
- Champions of the Earth Award: 2020
Questions readers ask
What is the zaï technique?
It is a traditional farming method involving the digging of holes in barren soil, which are then filled with manure and biodegradable waste to nourish crops and capture rainwater.
What is the Bangr-Raaga Forest?
Located east of the hospital in Ouahigouya, this 62-acre area was created by Sawadogo through decades of soil restoration and agroforestry.
