“We Will Always Ask Ourselves the Question of How to Feed the Family”: Subsistence Farmers’ Perceptions on Adaptation to Climate Change in Burkina Faso

Abstract

In West Africa, climate change aggravates subsistence farmers’ vulnerability to weather variability to sustain their agricultural and nutritional requirements. For successful adaptation policies, in-depth understanding of farmers’ perceptions about climate change, agriculture, and adaptation strategies is essential. This qualitative study in rural Burkina Faso characterized farmers’ perceptions and knowledge through in-depth interviews. The study enumerated the barriers, possibilities, strategies/practices, and support sources of farmers. There was awareness but limited understanding of climate change amongst farmers. Those unable to adapt, faced increased health difficulties, specifically regarding nutrition and mental health. Farmers could implement some dietary and agricultural adaptation strategies (reduce meal size, frequency and variety, preemptive purchase of cereals, multi-cropping, crop rotation, modified seeds) but were unable to implement others (soil rehabilitation, water management). Barriers to implementation comprised financial and time constraints, material and labor shortages, and inaccessible information. Farmers did not understand, trust or utilize meteorological services, but appreciated and relied on agricultural extension services. They reported that social and governmental support was sporadic and inconsistent. This study uncovers the following targets for climate change adaptation policies in rural Burkina Faso: promoting meteorological services, expanding agricultural extension services, increasing access to financial resources, and framing sustainable adaptation within national development goals.

Climate Change, Health Risks, and Vulnerabilities in Burkina Faso: A Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of National Policymakers

“…Some studies have even explored, if and how SDPs interpret and understand CC&H related literature and figures [ 66 ]. From LMICs, evidence on SDPs perceptions is limited as the focus of research has been on rural farming/herding [ 15 , 67 ] and urban slum households and populations [ 68 ].…”

“…Although complex risks in relation to climate change have been discussed in the sub-Saharan African context [ 78 , 79 ], mental health and climate change still remain understudied. Literature highlighting the pathways between climate change and mental health is growing [ 80 , 81 , 82 ], but few pertain to the West Africa region [ 15 , 83 ].…”

“…Despite the fact that agricultural adaptation methods are known in Burkina Faso, households report an array of barriers—financial and time constraints, material and labor shortages, and inaccessible information—to implementation. SDPs shared farmers’ concerns about agricultural production and food security and, like them, perceived agriculture, food, and health adaptation as key to continued subsistence in Burkina Faso [ 15 ]. To help the population overcome adaptation barriers, adaptation planning, policy, and implementation must be incorporated in the country’s sustainable and long-term development planning [ 15 , 34 , 87 ].…”

“…Climate change and health (CC&H) issues are especially relevant for West African countries, which are also predicted to experience CC impacts on both agriculture and food security [ 12 , 13 ]. CC and climate variability processes lead to changes which countries must adapt to, making the preparation, framing and implementation of CC policies increasingly essential for LMICs [ 14 , 15 ].…”

“…Changes to rainfall and yields contribute to one of Burkina Faso’s greatest CC&H vulnerabilities, which lies at the intersection of CC, nutritional and food security, due to the relationship between precipitation and agriculture [ 12 , 13 ]. As CC alters precipitation patterns, the country’s agricultural sector, which employs and serves as a means of subsistence for over 70% of the population, is and will continue to be severely impacted [ 15 , 33 ].…”