Innovation doesn’t always have to be expensive. Although smallholder farmers in Africa cannot afford the latest tech, there are low-cost solutions to help them solve their problems and improve productivity. Whether you are a farmer with half a hectare or a backyard grower trying to make the most of your land, these ten innovations are worth knowing.
Farm Record-Keeping Apps
Even the smallholder farmer should know where money goes and how the farm is performing. Farm record-keeping apps will help you track planting dates, fertiliser use, cost, income, and yields.
Many of these apps run on basic smartphones, sometimes even offline. With accurate records, farmers can plan better, apply for credit, and learn from past mistakes. Some notable farm management and record-keeping apps include Shambapro and xFarm.
Hermetic Storage Bags
Post-harvest losses are a major problem in African agriculture, especially for grain crops like maize and cowpea. Farmers take to traditional means to store grains, but Hermetic (airtight) bags are an affordable solution.
Hermetic bags are triple-layered with two inner polyethylene liners and one outer woven bag. After drying and cleaning grains properly, they’re placed inside, and the bag is tied tightly to remove air. The absence of oxygen kills pests and prevents fungal growth without chemicals. They are reusable for up to three years and cost less than recurring pesticide treatments or ruined harvests.
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Home-made Neem-Based Pesticides
Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a natural pest control, which repels more than 200 insect species. Neem is safe for humans, animals, and beneficial insects like bees. So while synthetic pesticides threaten even beneficial insects, neem-based pesticides offer a more eco-friendly and cost-effective choice for smallholder farmers.
How to prepare neem-based pesticide:
- Gather 1 kg of fresh neem leaves or 500g of dried seeds.
- Crush the leaves or seeds into a paste using a mortar or blender.
- Soak in 5 litres of water overnight.
- Strain the solution into a container.
- Add a teaspoon of mild soap to help the spray stick to leaves.
- Spray onto crops early in the morning or late evening to avoid leaf burn.
The active compounds deter feeding and reproduction in pests such as aphids, caterpillars, and whiteflies.
Sticky Traps for Insects
Flying pests like whiteflies, thrips, and leaf miners can wipe out entire crops before they are even noticed. In the absence of chemical control, sticky traps offer a simple monitoring and control method.
A sticky trap works by attracting flying insects to a brightly coloured surface—usually yellow or blue—that is coated with a sticky substance like petroleum jelly or used engine oil.
Here’s how it works, step by step:
- Colour Attraction: Many crop pests, like whiteflies and aphids, are naturally drawn to specific colours.
- Sticky Surface: When the insects land on the coloured surface, they get stuck in the sticky layer applied on it.
- Monitoring & Control: The trap either reduces the pest population by capturing them or helps farmers monitor pest outbreaks early, enabling timely intervention.
How to prepare a sticky trap:
- Cut pieces of cardboard or stiff paper into squares.
- Paint them yellow or blue. Yellow attracts whiteflies and aphids, while blue works best for thrips.
- Smear with a sticky substance like used engine oil or castor oil.
- Hang the traps just above the crop canopy using sticks or strings.
- Pests are attracted to the colour and get stuck on the surface, reducing their population and serving as an early warning system.
Zai Pits
Zai pits are widely used in Africa, especially in the Sahel region. It’s a traditional water-harvesting innovation revived for drylands. The pits trap rainfall and concentrate organic matter to improve soil fertility and plant growth.
How to prepare Zai pits:
- Dig pits about 20–30 cm deep and 20–40 cm wide.
- Space them 60–80 cm apart in staggered rows.
- Place compost or manure at the bottom of each pit (about a handful).
- Plant seeds directly into the pits.
- The pits capture rainwater and allow roots to access nutrients concentrated at the base, increasing yields even in drought-prone areas.
Manual Seed Planters
Manual seed planters are small, hand-operated tools that allow for precise, uniform planting. They may seem simple, but their value on the farm is immense. They help reduce planting time and human fatigue while also reducing seed wastage by placing individual seeds directly into holes at consistent depth and spacing.
Source: HTS Farms
Many of these planters are now locally manufactured across Africa, making them affordable and accessible to smallholder farmers. Some models even have dual compartments for simultaneously applying seed and fertiliser. Though basic, they represent an important leap from traditional broadcasting or hand-sowing, helping farmers improve germination rates and field uniformity.
Low-Cost Drip Irrigation Using Bottles or Buckets
Drip irrigation is efficient but can be expensive. A do-it-yourself version using old plastic bottles or buckets can conserve water and ensure steady plant growth.
Method:
- Use a clean 1.5 or 2-litre plastic bottle.
- Puncture 2-3 small holes at the base or cap.
- Fill with water and place upside down into the soil near plant roots.
- Alternatively, a bucket can be elevated with drip pipes (old IV tubes work), leading to rows of plants. This slow-release method delivers water directly to the roots and helps reduce evaporation and run-off.
Improvised Mobile Pens for Livestock
In mixed-farming systems, grazing animals can damage crops or overgraze land. Mobile pens solve the problem of crop damage or overgrazing in mixed farming system. Mobile pens are an innovative solution that allow for better grazing management, reduced disease transmission, and improved manure distribution.
Farmers using mobile pens can rotate grazing areas, ensuring animals have access to fresh pasture while allowing previously grazed areas to recover. This system also enables even application of manure, which enhances soil fertility naturally.
How to construct a mobile pen:
- Use bamboo, timber, or scrap wood to build a lightweight square or rectangular pen.
- Ensure the pen has a roof or shade if possible.
- Mount wheels or drag bars at the base if animals like poultry or goats are involved.
- Move the pen every few days to fresh ground.
This reduces disease build-up, enriches the soil with manure, and allows pasture regeneration.
Charcoal Cooler (Evaporative Cooling Box)
Preserving perishable produce like leafy greens and fruits is a major concern in rural communities without access to electricity or refrigeration. The charcoal cooler offers a low-cost, sustainable solution using simple principles of evaporative cooling.
Charcoal, when kept moist, allows for gradual evaporation of water which absorbs heat and cools the surrounding air.It helps extend the shelf life of fresh produce by several days, reducing spoilage and allowing farmers more flexibility in selling or consuming their harvests.
How to build a charcoal cooler:
- Build a rectangular box using bricks or wood.
- Line the sides with wire mesh.
- Fill the space between double walls with charcoal.
- Keep the charcoal wet using a watering can.
- Cover the top with a damp cloth.
As water evaporates from the charcoal, it lowers the internal temperature, preserving perishables for several days longer than open-air storage.
Tomato Jar Preservation
Tomatoes are highly perishable and often experience glut during harvest seasons, resulting in losses and poor prices. Preserving tomatoes in jars allows farmers to store excess produce and add value by creating tomato sauces, pastes, or purees.
This method reduces waste and could even open up new opportunities for small agro-processors or home-based food entrepreneurs. Jarred tomatoes have a longer shelf life and can be sold in the off-season at higher prices.
How to do it:
- Choose fresh, ripe, but firm tomatoes without blemishes or rot.
- Wash thoroughly to remove dirt and contaminants.
- Optional: Blanch tomatoes (dip in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then cool in cold water) to remove skins easily, though some skip this for simplicity.
- Grind tomatoes into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle, hand grinder, or blender (if electricity is available). In traditional settings, manual grinding is common.
- Transfer the tomato puree to a pot and cook over low to medium heat.
- Stir continuously to prevent burning and reduce the water content, creating a thick paste. This can take 30-60 minutes, depending on the volume.
- Cooking kills microbes, extends shelf life, and concentrates flavours.
- Optional: Add a small amount of salt (1-2 teaspoons per kg of tomatoes) to enhance preservation by drawing out moisture and inhibiting bacterial growth.
- Sterilise a glass or plastic jar (or any airtight container) by washing with hot water and drying completely to prevent contamination.
- Pour the hot or cooled tomato paste into the jar, leaving a small headspace (1-2 cm) if adding oil.
- Seal tightly with a lid to prevent air entry.
- Place the jar in a dark, dry, and relatively cool area (e.g., a cupboard, pantry, or shaded corner of the home). Darkness prevents degradation of nutrients and colour due to light exposure.
- Ideal storage temperature: Below 25°C (77°F), though the method works in warmer climates if properly sealed.
Final Thoughts
Innovation in African farming doesn’t always mean expensive tractors or imported inputs. With locally available materials, community knowledge, and a bit of creativity, farmers can solve everyday problems sustainably and affordably. If you’re a farmer, try one. If you’re an extension agent, share them. You could make a difference.