Who are we?
The Agro-Shrub Alliance is dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture by harnessing the power of the Optimized Shrub System (OSS) which is a scientifically validated shrub-based farming system that uses the native shrubs Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum. We aim to enhance food security, improve livelihoods, and foster environmental stewardship through innovative research, collaborative partnerships, and the widespread adoption of the OSS technology. By empowering communities and protecting natural resources, we strive to create a resilient and thriving agricultural landscape for future generations of the W. African Sahel.
The Optimized Shrub System (OSS)
Involves increasing the density of the naturally occurring shrubs in farmers’ fields, and incorporating pruned shrub residue into the soil. This results in a cascade of benefits including significantly improved soil quality, improved water and nutrient status of crops, reduced time to harvest by about 15 days, and dramatically increased yields – up to three-fold.
How to Manage Native Shrubs for Improved Yields and Soil Health
Using Local Resources to Improve Food Security
Elegant and simple solution for the ecological and food security challenges of the Sahel using two native shrubs found in farmers’ fields from Senegal to Chad.
Guiera senegalensis
Guiera senegalensis, pictured left, is native to the northern regions of the Sahel where:
The average annual rainfall is 300mm
The average annual temperature is 3°c.
Piliostigma Reticulatum
Piliostigma Reticulatum, pictured right, is native
to the southern regions of the Sahel where:
The average annual rainfall is 750mm per year
The average annual temperature is 32°c.
Distribution of Guiera Senegalensis and
Piliostigma Reticulatum
Benefits of the Optimized Shrub System (OSS)
Bio-Irrigation
Deep tap roots lift water from the wet subsoil to the surface (hydraulic lift) where it is released to surrounding crops.
Better Soil
Shrub intercropping results in increased water holding capacity, soil organic matter and the overall soil health.
Assists Food Crops
The shrubs do not compete with crops and they help to create microbial diversity and nutrient availability.
Improved Yields
This system helps to decrease the days to crop maturity by 15 days.
—
Donate
