The Farakoro Community Garden is found about 50 m outside of the village in a low lying area. This hectare of land in the arid region of savannas in northern Ivory coast is cultivated by 50 women. The garden contains eggplant, onions, and corn, but also more local products, like dah, an indigenous kind of hibiscus, tiohron, a local plant whose leaves are used in the preparation of traditional sauces, as well as some banana trees.
The majority of the seeds are produced collectively in the garden, with the exception of some products, like onions, which are bought at the local markets. Each woman cultivates her personal area (which are about ten square meters each) with the products that she chooses.
To fertilize the soil, the community already started using organic products (manure) instead of chemical fertilizers.
The garden’s products are mainly consumed by the gardeners and their families, but the surplus is sold in the local markets. The earnings are then used in part to cover the costs of the garden, while the rest is redistributed among the community members: thus it becomes an extra source of income.
Area
Farakoro village, Ouangolodougou district, Savanes region
Coordinator
Coulibaly Ramata