Farmers practice "Zai": an old Mossi technique fallen into disuse and recovered by the UNGVT. It consists of digging circular holes with a pickaxe at regular distances to slow down not only the water flow but also to direct water towards the seeds to allow them to sprout. In each cavity, the seeds of the cereals which are at the base of the diet - white and red sorghum, millet and maize - are cultivated in association with legumes: beans and peanuts.
Tanlili, Burkina Faso. 09/06/2004
Photo © J.B. Russell