Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement (Jan 2016)
Sources de revenus et besoins d'accompagnement des exploitations agricoles familiales en zone cotonnière ouest du Burkina Faso
Abstract
Income source and accompaniment needs of family farms in the cotton growing area of West Burkina Faso. Description of the subject. In the western cotton growing area of Burkina Faso, the variability and the diversity of the income levels of family farms (EAFs) mean that these farms require suitable agronomic accompaniment. Objectives. This article gives an account of this diversity and the need for accompaniment according to the type of identified EAF. Method. The data were collected by the active method of participative research and by investigation of the practices of 120 farms in the commune of Koumbia. Principal component analyses with economic indicators of the EAF were applied, followed by an ascending hierarchical clustering. The structural characteristics, the agro-pastoral practices of production, and the perceptions of the EAF regarding the constraints and appropriateness of agricultural production were compared by variance analysis. Results. The results showed three types of farm: farms with a low-income culture (farmers with few animals), those with a high income culture (farmers with a large number of animals) and those deriving income from breeding (stockbreeders). Taking into account the structure of the farms, their production practices, their technico-economic performance and their appropriateness of agricultural production, the form of sustainable accompaniment needed may be identified in relation to several common or specific innovations of the identified farm types. Accompaniments in the case of farm stock management, and good practice in the management of soil fertility and of animals were common to the three types of EAF. The fodder culture, fattening on pasture and the method of dairy production were specific to the farmers with a large number of animals and to the stockbreeders. The improvement of the food value of culture residues and of some aspects of the maintenance of oxen were more appropriate to the farmers with few animals. Conclusion. In order to succeed, the process of accompaniment must take into account both these specificities and the concept of sustainability.
