The Man Who Stopped the Desert Foundation: Better farming through ancient practices

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The Man Who Stopped the Desert Foundation: Better farming through ancient practices

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An approach to preserving water through an ancient farming practice

The Problem

Over-farming, overgrazing, and overpopulation have resulted in heavy soil erosion and drought in landlocked African nations. National and international researchers have desperately tried to fix this grave situation, but mostly their efforts have yielded mixed results.

The Solution

One man, Yacouba Sawadogo, has seemingly solved this problem using an ancient African farming practice called 'zai'. Zai involves digging small holes into the ground, and filling them with compost and seedlings. If the holes are dug correctly, they will catch water during the rainy season, and maintain moisture for the rest of the year. Yacouba now travels broadly hosting workshops for other African farmers. He believes that "if you stay in your own little corner, all your knowledge is of no use to humanity."

Stage of Development

scaling

Organization to Receive Funds

Shared Nation will contribute to "The Man Who Stopped the Desert Foundation." The organization helps fund residential master classes with Yacouba, so that he can teach subsistence farmers from his region how to re-green their lands.