Building a Clay Silo with Thatched Roof in Maradi, Niger Republic

by Maradi Humanist Mutual Aid

After our funding, we agreed we should wait a week to plan before starting with the construction. We have now completed the construction of two locally made silos and here is a summary of how we did it. 

Execution

1. Procurement of Materials:

  • Clay: Sourced locally from riverbeds.

  • Thatching materials (straw, reeds): Collected from local farms.

  • Supporting materials (wooden poles, ropes): Purchased from local markets.

2. Construction Phases:

Phase 1: Foundation and Base Construction (Week 1)

  • Cleared and leveled the site.

  • Raised flats and straight stones for the foundation.

  • Mixed clay with water and straw to form a sturdy base.

  • Constructed a 1-meter high clay wall, allowing it to dry and harden.

Phase 2: Wall Construction (Week 2)

  • Continued building the clay walls up to 3 meters high.

  • Left small gaps for ventilation to prevent mold growth.

  • Reinforced the structure with wooden poles embedded within the clay walls.

Phase 3: Thatching the Roof (Week 3)

  • Constructed a conical roof frame using wooden poles.

  • Thatch was layered and tied securely to the frame.

  • Ensured the roof was tightly sealed to protect against rain.

Phase 4: Final Touches and Quality Check (Week 4)

  • Smoothed the interior walls for better grain storage.

  • Applied an additional layer of clay mixed with cow dung for durability.

  • Conducted a final inspection to ensure the structure was sound and functional.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Weather Conditions: Construction was paused during heavy rains. To mitigate this, we used tarpaulins to protect the structure and materials.

  • Material Shortage: Initial underestimation of clay required was resolved by organizing additional clay collection drives.

What we expect the Silo to do for us: 

  • Improved Grain Storage: The silo provides a dry, safe, and accessible storage option, significantly reducing grain spoilage.

  • Community Skills Development: Local members acquired skills in traditional construction methods, which can be used for future projects.

  • Cost-Effectiveness: The project demonstrated that sustainable and durable storage solutions can be built at a low cost using local materials.

The project successfully utilized $600 to build two functional clay silos with a thatched roof, benefiting the Humanists members and their families in Maradi by enhancing food security and preserving local construction knowledge. The collaborative effort has strengthened community ties and provided a model for future projects in the region.