Bouss:The Association for Integrated Youth Development of Burkina Faso (ADIJ-BF) has successfully concluded a training program focused on soilless farming techniques for 25 of its members. The initiative aims to enhance the farming capabilities of participants amidst challenges such as land degradation and limited access to cultivable areas.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the training was led by Joachim Oudraogo and Abdoul Rachid Yago, agricultural agents from the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources of Kourwogo. The course included both theoretical instruction and hands-on practice, culminating in the establishment of a pilot unit.

Over five days, participants, including 13 women, engaged in learning various soilless production systems such as bag, tray, table, and vertical cultivation. They were taught to prepare substrates using materials like potting soil, compost, and plant fibers, and received guidance on crop management techniques including sowing, transplanting, and organic fertilization.

The training also emphasized the creation of installations using locally available materials, with projects including the construction of grow bags, recycled containers, and vertical gardens. These efforts aimed to facilitate the development of a demonstration unit to further support the replication of learned techniques in participants' own environments.

Participants expressed their appreciation for the program, recognizing its potential to foster sustainable agricultural practices and generate income. Clarisse Zoungrana highlighted the importance of equipping members with practical skills for vegetable production in small spaces, emphasizing efficient water management and the use of accessible resources.