The Man Who Stopped the Desert

Hi there! Thanks for clicking by today. Coffee's freshly brewed and perked and the virtual treats are in a state of extreme munchiness so help yourself, why don't'cha? Y'know, the word dessert has a double 's' because it is sweeter. Much sweeter than a dry and arid desert...like the one they have in Burkina Faso.

Yacouba Sawadogo is an exceptional man – he single-handedly managed to solve a crisis that even scientists and development organizations could not. The simple old farmer’s re-forestation and soil conservation techniques are so effective they’ve helped turn the tide in the fight against the desertification of the harsh lands in northern Burkina Faso.

Over-farming, over-grazing and over population have, over the years, resulted in heavy soil erosion and drying in this landlocked West African nation. Although national and international researchers tried to fix the grave situation, it really didn’t really make much of a difference. Until Yacouba decided to take matters into his own hands in 1980.

Yacouba’s methods were so odd that his fellow farmers ridiculed him. But when his techniques successfully regenerated the forest, they were forced to sit up and take notice. Yacouba revived an ancient African farming practice called ‘zai’, which led to forest growth and increased soil quality.

Sure, the desert will fight back. It wants to keep on expanding - just like a power-hungry dictator. The only way to win is to be persistent and keep planting those trees and shrubs.

Northern Burkina Faso borders the southern edge of the Sahara. Seems to me that Yacouba has his work cut out for himself! Oy! Go for it, mate!

See ya, eh!

Bob