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Dry Out the Methane. Green Up Your Harvest. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) is an easy, low-cost water-saving method for growing rice. Instead of keeping the rice field continuously flooded, farmers let the field dry out for several days between irrigations. The timing is guided by a simple field water tube (often bamboo or a PVC pipe) installed in the paddy. When the water level inside this tube drops to 15 cm below the soil surface, it is time to irrigate again. This alternating cycle cuts water use by about 25–30%, and helps reduce methane (a powerful greenhouse gas). By using AWD, farmers save money on irrigation costs (less pumping or water fees) while producing the same amount of rice, making them more resilient to water scarcity.
Tubewell The Shallow Groundwater Tube well is a simple and economical technology for exploiting shallow groundwater (up to 20 m), particularly suited to floodplain areas with sedimentary formations. It involves manually drilling or jetting a narrow hole fitted with a PVC pipe (50 or 63 mm), from which water is pumped using a small, low-power pump powered by fuel or solar energy. This solution provides small farmers with efficient access to water for irrigation during the dry season, covering up to 1 ha, and also meets agricultural and watering needs. Easy to implement, inexpensive, and compatible with solar pumping, the technology increases water autonomy, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and supports sustainable and resilient agriculture, provided that local hydrogeological conditions are well understood.
Zainer Zainer is a mechanized land preparation solution designed to facilitate the adoption of Zai farming in dry and arid areas. Powered by a small 5 hp petrol engine, it enables farmers to rapidly drill Zai planting holes that harvest and retain rainwater directly in the soil, improving moisture conservation and crop resilience. By reducing labor requirements from 300 hours to about 40 hours per hectare, Zainer significantly lowers drudgery and operational costs. The technology is suitable for rain-fed sorghum, millet, and maize systems and is best deployed through cooperatives or service providers, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution for climate-resilient agriculture.
Catch the Rain, Grow with the Grain! The Demi-lune (half-moon) technology is a simple land restoration method used mainly in arid and semi-arid regions. By digging semi-circular pits to capture rainwater and restore soil fertility, it tackles land degradation, water scarcity, and low productivity. First used in Burkina Faso in the 1980s, it has spread to Niger, Mali, Chad, and Senegal. Suitable for millet, sorghum, and legumes, it boosts yields and soil health, helps farmers adapt to climate change, and supports SDGs like No Poverty and Climate Action.
Zaï pits are a traditional water-harvesting technique used in the Sahel to combat low rainfall, soil degradation, and poor soil fertility. By digging small pits that trap rainwater and organic matter, farmers can improve moisture retention, nutrient availability, and crop yields by 60–90%. This cost-effective method enables the rehabilitation of degraded lands and enhances the resilience of millet and sorghum crops. When combined with other soil and water conservation techniques, Zaï pits significantly contribute to sustainable dryland agriculture.