In the rural town of Yanfolila in southern Mali, innovation is growing—literally. Local farmer Bary Sidibé has developed a creative, sustainable way to feed his livestock using upcycled water cannisters and sprouted seeds. Cut, perforated, and stacked on simple shelves, these containers become mini fodder farms. This soil-less system offers more than just animal feed; it’s a grassroots response to growing tensions between crop farmers and herders over access to arable land.

Repurposed tools, restored harmony

After soaking corn seeds in water for just 24 hours, Sidibé transfers them into cannisters where they sprout into lush fodder within a week. This approach eliminates the need for grazing on farmland or cutting down trees to clear space for crops. The result: a more peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers, and a reduced environmental footprint. In a region where disputes over land can escalate into deadly conflicts, this low-tech, high-impact method helps prevent resource-driven violence while preserving forests and biodiversity.

Bary Sidibé’s solution doesn’t just address livestock feed—it tackles broader issues in agriculturelike land scarcity, deforestation, and climate change. By growing nutritious fodder with minimal resources, he’s easing tensions and creating a model for other herders. His next goal is to open a butcher shop to directly sell the high-quality meat from his well-fed animals. For now, his customers at the local market appreciate the taste and sustainabilityof his product. Sidibé’s soil-less crop system shows that with ingenuity and commitment, even small-scale farmers can drive meaningful environmental change and social peace from the ground up—without the ground at all.