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On September 11, 2020, the African Green Revolution Forum announced the winners of the 2020 African Food Prize. Among the co-winners is an eminent soil scientist from Burkina Faso, Dr André Bationo.

For some 35 years, Dr. Bationo has been working to lift millions of small-scale farmers out of poverty and contribute to the development of agriculture in the Sahelian region of West Africa. For the most part, the results of this Burkina Faso researcher's research have had a positive impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries, and without much effort.

What's more, many scientists and institutions have already realized the potential of the technologies Dr. Bationo has been working on. In total, some 250 million USD has been invested in scaling up these technologies, with significant repercussions on the lives of small-scale farmers.

In announcing the award, the Africa Food Prize praised Dr. Bationo's work on a technology known as "micro-dosing" and a credit system- "warantage or third-party holding". This promising technology and credit system has changed the lives of millions of small-scale farmers in villages in Niger, where it was first tested, and in Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. In all, 10 million people have benefited from these technologies.

But what are the technologies that have brought this accomplished West African scientist recognition?

What is micro-dosing technology?

Micro-dosing technology is the strategic application of small quantities of fertilizer at the base of plants to cover optimum needs, rather than spreading larger quantities over the whole field, as previously recommended by extension. This technology ensures effective and efficient use of fertilizers by the plant, and reduces losses that would normally occur through leaching or runoff. L reduces the quantity and therefore the cost of fertilizers used, and maximizes the impact of fertilizers in increasing crop productivity, especially in drought-prone areas.

Researchers and farmers who have tested this technology in Sahelian countries have reported yield increases of 50-200%, more efficient use of fertilizers and, consequently, greater profitability.

What is the Warrantage system?

The "warrantage" system is a social safety net mechanism designed to solve the problem of financial liquidity and access to credit for players in agricultural value chains. The system gives producers access to cash loans against the value of their stored agricultural produce. In this way, farmers receive a cash credit advance while at the same time pledging their cereals in a sealed store as warrant collateral, to be sold when market prices improve, enabling them to obtain a better return on their investments. The warrantage system is an innovation that guarantees access to financing for disadvantaged farmers who would not otherwise have this possibility.

Micro-dosing technology and warrantage systems have spread to villages in Niger, where Dr Bationo has pioneered the development of these innovations in many other villages in Niger and neighboring countries, helping to boost agricultural production and trade in agricultural products throughout the region.