Traditional threshing

Whether the threshing areas are in the field or near the farmers' houses, they are always prepared with great care, to ensure that the grains are not soiled with various impurities (sand, stones...).

These areas are rarely concreted, but are generally beaten earth coated with cow dung mixed with clay.

Threshing areas near houses are sometimes covered with plastic sheets or mats. The grain is threshed by hand, using sticks, or by treading it underfoot.

.

.

.

Traditional threshing (© J-F Cruz, Cirad)

.

Because of its difficulty, threshing is the operation for which men would like to be able to benefit from adapted services.

In some very rare cases, the sheaves are threshed by trampling using a tractor.

The mechanization of fonio threshing is a demand often considered as a priority by men.

.

Threshing by trampling (© E. Vall, Cirad)