Digitalization of Peasant Knowledge Production Tools: A Life-saving Alternative Amid Security and Health Crises
Burkina Faso’s Initiative Revolutionizes Agricultural Knowledge Production Despite Challenges
The Peasant Confederation of Faso (CPF), a member of ROPPA, has managed to adapt to the challenges posed by the current security and health crisis by digitalizing peasant knowledge production tools. As part of the FO4ACP KM event, this initiative is presented as an innovative solution to meet information needs and decision-making in agriculture.
In Burkina Faso, mobile data collection has been adopted for monitoring the agro-sylvo-pastoral campaign. Thanks to the Open Data Kit (ODK) application and Android phones, endogenous animators and trainers can collect, process, and analyze data in real-time. This device aims to strengthen the Family Farm Observatory (OEF) and produce knowledge to improve the interventions of non-state actors (ANE).
This method of mobile collection offers numerous advantages to producer organizations (OPs), particularly in terms of speed, discretion, and geographical coverage. The results obtained through the digitalization of peasant knowledge production tools are impressive. For example, the government has taken measures to facilitate producers’ access to subsidized fertilizers and to reinforce the national safety stocks of cereals.
The successful experience of Burkina Faso deserves to be shared and reproduced in other countries. It proves that it is possible to adapt to security and health contexts by adopting innovative solutions that meet the needs of family farms and facilitate informed decision-making in agriculture. Thus, the digitalization of peasant knowledge production tools emerges as a promising alternative to current challenges.
Fatimata KONE
Communication and knowledge management officer
ROPPA