Project presentation
The agricultural sector is a major component of Burkina Faso’s economy. It contributes 35% of the country’s GDP and employs 82% of the active population. More than half of agricultural production depends on women, yet they own only 8% of the land. Climate change negatively affects working conditions and production methods for female and male farmers. The lack of adequate infrastructure for proper crop storage exacerbates these challenges and increases the vulnerability of those working in this sector. This is particularly true for the onion/shallot value chain, which is essential in the Sahel.
In response to this situation, the Nubian Vault Association (AVN), in partnership with the National Federation of Naam Groups (FNGN)—farmers’ cooperatives—will support a group of women onion and shallot producers by building a storage facility using the Nubian Vault technique. This construction method, which is over 3,000 years old, allows buildings to be made entirely from raw earth, a locally abundant material with zero carbon impact, replacing imported metal roofs with vaulted roofs built from raw earth bricks. The thick earthen walls significantly reduce temperature fluctuations inside the building, allowing better preservation of crops, more comfortable working conditions, and better protection against extreme weather compared to metal roofs, which are often torn off by strong winds. These constructions require no wood, so no trees are cut down, contributing to the preservation of the forest cover. The characteristics of the Nubian Vault technique make it a particularly suitable solution for the environmental and climate challenges of this region.
AVN and FNGN will also support women leaders from these producer groups to define and carry a national and international advocacy campaign, ensuring that the voices of Sahelian women are heard on issues of climate adaptation and the right to decent housing for everyone.
