Typology of Constraints and Recommended Solutions for the Agroforestry in the Cascades Region of Burkina Faso
Abstract
The tree-crop and / or animal association is a source of many ecological and socio-economic benefits, but it’s facing various constraints. The main objective of this work is to identify constraints and solutions to improve the agroforestry level in the Cascades region. Specifically, it aims to identify the units of management; list the agroforestry techniques used; identify the levels and types of constraints and recommended solutions. Interviews were conducted with the supervisors of agroforestry activities from technical public offices, researchers, partners and producers from 10 villages selected according to their specificities. They focused on agroforestry practices, constraints and solutions in the management of tree-crop fields, riverbanks, nurseries, plantations and direct seedings with forest tree seeds. A typology of the constraints was made and consisted in listing them, classifying them in different types and levels. These results highlighted six kinds of units on which eight agroforestry practices were found; 41 constraints were listed, classified in three (03) levels then in 10 types. Finally, 14 solutions are recommended by the interviewed actors to remove these constraints. A synergy of actions between the actors will allow better development of agroforestry in this region.
Keywords
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Introduction
Agroforestry is the set of systems and techniques of soil development with trees and crops association and / or animals to obtain useful products or services for humans [1]. This association is simultaneous according to a spatial arrangement either or in a temporal succession. The three distinct components are the ligneous species, annual crops and animals. The animal component, although existing, is not always materialized, so in the case of the fallows the tree-crop association is sequential [2].
Thus, the agroforestry has a socioeconomic character with measurable benefits both ecologically and socially. Its practice must be developed in the production systems. The technological packages must be available for the farmers in order to improve their local knowledge’s and popularize various practices. Agroforestry techniques require, to be adopted, a good knowledge of pedological, climatic, material and financial conditions and a commitment of the farmers. Agroforestry is developed in all climatic zones in Africa where the tree is integrated with crops to improve mainly crop performance and the ecosystem goods and services it provides [3; 4].
Since the 1950s, agroforestry researches have been conducted in the western Burkina Faso [5; 6; 7; 8]. However, this region has not benefited greatly the support of the projects and programs such as the northern, sahelian and southern regions of the country [9] [10] [11]. Many of the constraints that have been the subject of this study are hampering agroforestry practices in the western regions, particularly the Cascades region. The identification of these multiple constraints and the proposal of adequate solutions will allow a better practice of agroforestry. The present study has been initiated, taking into account this situation.
The global objective was to make the best understanding of the agroforestry practices and constraints. Specifically, it was (1) to identify management units; (2) list the techniques used; (3) identify the types and the primary, secondary tertiary levels of constraints to agroforestry development among the stakeholders; and (4) propose solutions to minimize or even remove these constraints.
Conclusion
Based on the present work and referring to the constraints identified by various works on agroforestry in Burkina Faso, the recommended solutions to strengthen agroforestry in the Cascades Region should aim first and foremost to resolve land issues by sensitizing the various stakeholders on Law 034. This law guarantees the land security without which sustainable actions cannot be developed in an agroforestry system. It provides legal provisions including the certificate of land ownership. There is a compelling need for technical services in general and forest services in particular to be provided with financial, material and logistical resources to ensure effective management of their activities, as awareness, capacity building and technical capacities are their responsibility.
For financial partners, projects and programs, a broader vision of the areas of activity should be considered. Consensus should be constantly sought between producers and technical services in the choice of activities to be carried out. Since the success of the Research-Development projects and programs depends on producer buy-in, the consensus sought for the promotion of plant species and technologies is an asset to take into account farmers' desiderates. It is important to take into account all the climatic zones of the country so that agroforestry will fully play its role of prevention and remedy to the problems of agrosylvopastoral productions.
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