Perceived benefits, constraints and determinants of sustainable intensification of mixed crop and livestock systems in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso

Abstract

In West African Sahel, there has been an only limited intensification of the mixed crop and livestock systems due to many constraints faced by smallholder farmers including climate change, low use of external inputs, insecure land tenure, and low adoption of productivity-enhancing technologies. However, the growing demand for food caused by a rapidly growing population offers opportunities for intensification of farming systems in the region in view of the current low productivity. A study involving 400 households was carried out in two provinces (Seno and Yatenga) in Burkina Faso in the Sahelian zone of the country to characterize the intensification practices by smallholder farmers in mixed crop and livestock systems. Our results confirmed the advantage of intensification practices in terms of increased crop and livestock productivity which is critical to improving food security. Also, the results showed that access to extension services is an important determinant of adoption of intensification practices in both study sites, which reaffirmed the vital role of extension services in adoption of agricultural technologies. The results also showed strong differences in adoption of intensification practices between the two provinces driven by their divergent history of land use, even though both provinces fall in the same agro-ecological zone.

Livestock feed resources in the West African Sahel

“…Interventions supposed to solve gendered problems in the livestock sector do not always achieve the intended purpose, in fact, in some cases may exacerbate problems of gender equity. For instance, in Burkina Faso, seven sustainable intensification interventions have been judged to have low or no effect on gender equity by more than 50% of 400 respondents in two counties (Ayantunde et al., 2020). A forage chopper introduced in Tanzania resulted in unintended increase in labor required by women, despite the intention otherwise (Fischer et al., 2017, 2018).…”

Sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária-floresta no estado de São Paulo: estudo multicasos com adotantes pioneiros

“…A rede de relacionamentos construída por meio da participação ativa em sindicato rural, cooperativa agropecuária e associação de produtores rurais é outra fonte para troca de informações técnicas. Outros estudos sobre a adoção de sistemas ILP demonstram a importância do acesso à informação por meio de serviços de extensão rural tanto no Brasil (Gil et al, 2016) como em países do continente africano (Ayantunde et al, 2020;Mekuria & Mekonnen, 2018). Asai et al (2018) ressaltam o papel fundamental das redes de relacionamentos na redução dos custos de coleta de informações e tomada de decisões para a doção de sistemas ILP nos EUA, Holanda, França e Japão.…”

Assessment of Livestock Water Productivity in Seno and Yatenga Provinces of Burkina Faso

“…Yatenga province is composed predominantly of Mossi tribe who are dominantly agro-pastoralist combining crop and animal production, with more emphasis on crop and in proportions that vary according to climatic and socio-economic conditions, resulting in diversified production systems (INERA (Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles), 1995). Farming is largely based on hand-held tools: animal traction has been promoted by extension services, with manuring, value addition, composting, water conservation, and small-scale mechanization (Ayantunde et al, 2020) Agriculture is intensified through the introduction of Zaï and stone bunds, improving soil and water conservation (Douxchamps et al, 2014). Most farms are of small areas usually <5 ha (FAO, 2014).…”