Songhai conducts permanent research into new varieties and species (plants and animals) and into new techniques of production so as to add value to local resources, reduce production costs, and improve the synergy among the various sectors of production. The experiments, which are set up and supervised by the Officer in charge of research, are most often carried out directly in the production workshops. We therefore talk about grassroots research.

Our research and experiments concern all the sectors of activity in Songhai: plant production, animal production, pharmacopoeia, energy, environment, and the technologies previously tested and ready to be passed on to farmers.

PLANT PRODUCTION

• Production of "panic grass": a fast-growing, protein rich grain, for human consumption.
• Irrigation of cultivated fields by effluents (composts rich in nitrogen and organic elements) produced by the biogas digestor
• Utilization of the bacteria"bacillus laterosporus" for soil fertilization.
• Combating parasites using: tobacco and, neem seeds.
• Agro-forestry: ses barnia, leucamea.
• Experiments in mushroom production.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION

• Cross hybridization of local pigs with imported ones (large white and korogho). Produces an improved stock that is more disease resistant and better adapted to the local environment.
• Snail farming: an excellent source of proteins for humans.
• Raising earthworms in order to reduce feeding costs for poultry.
• Raising maggots in order to reduce feeding costs for poultry and fish.
• Raising daphnies for feeding fish fingerlings.
• Construction of bamboo chicken houses on piles, which offer good health conditions for the animals and ease the collection of droppings for compost .

PHARMACOPOEIA

• Green papaya for combatting inflammations of mammary glands after giving birth.
• "Kinkéliba" herbs to help females during the birthing process.
• Pepper to treat the onset of bronchitis in poultry.
• Mixture of shea butter, coal, and hail to treat external sores.
• Chenopodium Ambrosoid: an anti-parasite for poultry.
• Vernonia: combats coccidiosis (in quails).
• Ground aloe vera leaves and used engine oil for treating sores in mammals.

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

• The green method of purification of used water in decanting basins filled with aquatic plants (azolla, pistia, water hyacinth).
• Improvement of the production of the biogas digestor with water hyacinths.
• Adaptation of a kerosene engine in the use of biogas with alternators.
• Adaptation of burners to make biogas lamps and power refrigerators and freezers.

TECHNOLOGIES PREVIOUSLY TESTED AND READY TO BE PASSED ON TO FARMERS

• Neem lotion for controlling insects on "niébé", maize, millet, sorghum and peanut farms.
• Blood meal flour for incorporation in animal feed.
• Dried hen droppings in pig rations (up to 20%).
• Flour of moronga leaves, cassava leaves and water hyacinth for animal and fish feeds.
• Neem powder for preserving stocks.
• Production of rice seeds.
• Production of yellow maize for popcorn.
• Utilization of multip-use leguminous plants like leucaena and sesbarnia.