Soilless Farming in Burkina Faso and Nicaragua: Project Updates

Soilless farming is an innovative way of growing crops — mainly vegetables — without using soil. Instead, plants are grown in bags or troughs filled with a simple substrate, such as clay, that provides a supporting structure for the crops to flourish. The nutrients they require come from a natural liquid fertiliser, which is applied at key stages of growth.

By utilising greenhouses and drip irrigation, this method is climate-resilient and allows crops to be grown all year round. It also doesn’t require fertile land, making it ideal for urban areas where space for farming is limited. Importantly, soilless farming can produce up to three times more food than traditional farming methods.

In urban Burkina Faso, this technique has enabled 75 women with disabilities, previously excluded from traditional agriculture, to participate and earn income. In rural Nicaragua, this initiative is supporting 40 women to produce vegetables year-round, increasing their financial returns and strengthening their ability to adapt to irregular climatic conditions. Both projects are summarised below.

Burkina Faso 

This project established a highly productive, organic vegetable production enterprise supporting the 75 female members of the AFPHPB group, a local organisation providing support to adults with physical disabilities.

In total 5,171 kg of vegetables were harvested, against a target of 5,000 kg and sold to wholesalers, restaurants and individual buyers.

Chairperson of the AFPHPB group, Aminata Ouattara (pictured left), commented on how the group have decided to manage income to ensure sustainability:

“The project has generated income. We conducted a first evaluation during the second harvest and it was positive. We are waiting for the third cycle to conduct the annual evaluation and decide on future plans. But already with the income generated, we are using it for the operating costs of the site. 

"At the end of the year, we will conduct a general assessment where we will divide the income into three parts: one part for each member, one part reserved for the purchase of seeds and inputs, and one part for savings". 

Alimatou Sawadogo (above) joined the AFPHPB group after leaving her rural home due to increasing insecurity. Reflecting on her experience with the project, she said:

“This project has brought us closer together. It has created social and fraternal cohesion among us. When we gather as a group on the site to work, we forget our personal problems and support each other.”

Looking ahead, Alimatou shared her ambitions for the enterprise:

“My hope for this business is that we can continue improving, ultimately having our own production site with more agricultural greenhouses and specialised shops to sell our vegetables.”

She also reflected on the personal impact of the project:

“My anxieties have decreased. Before, if I didn’t have clothes to wash, I would stay at home, which increased my worries. Thanks to this project, I am beginning to gain confidence in myself and faith in the future.”

Launched in April 2025, with Nicaraguan co-operative Sacaclí, this project is supporting 40 women to grow cherry tomatoes and chilli peppers for additional income. Vegetables are being grown using semi-hydroponic methods. This method is not dependent on rainfall or fertile land and provides greater resistance to pests and disease. Two greenhouses have been constructed and fitted with growing beds and drip irrigation systems.

 In July, 354 cherry tomato seedlings and 630 chilli pepper seedlings were planted in the greenhouse. The harvest started in October and will continue up to December. Sacaclí has an established partnership with the buyer UCHON, ensuring that harvested vegetables are sold immediately, with payments made weekly to the producers.

Support our work

We hope you enjoyed reading this project update from our sister charity, Shared Interest Foundation.

Since 2004, thanks to the Foundation's incredible supporters, it has delivered 51 projects in 15 countries, reaching over 13,000 farmers and artisans. Support the Foundation's work today and help to build a fairer world for the future.

If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to speak with a member of the Foundation team via email here.