Indentifying farmers’ preferences and constraints to maize production in two agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso

Previous studies suggested that maize is set to become a cash crop while ensuring food security better than any other crop. However, climate change has become one of the key production constraints that are now hampering and threatening the sustainability of maize production systems. We conducted a study to better understand changes here defined as adaptations made by smallholder farmers to ensure food security and improve income through maize production in a climate change context. Our results show that maize farmers in northern Benin mainly rely on traditional seeds. Drought as abiotic stress is perceived by farmers in many agro-ecological zones as a disruptive factor for crop production, including maize. When drought is associated with pest damages, both the quantity (i.e. yield) and the quality (i.e. attributes) of products/harvests are negatively affected. The adverse effects of drought continue to reduce production in different agro-ecological zones of the country, because of the lack of widespread adoption of tolerant varieties. The study suggests actions towards the production of drought-tolerant maize seeds, a promotion of seed companies, the organization of actors and value chains. Apart from climate change, the promotion of value chains is also emerging as one of the important aspects to take into account to sustain maize production in Benin.

Download Full-text

Profils morpho-biometriques de la poule locale du Burkina Faso

International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences ◽

10.4314/ijbcs.v14i6.25 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 2240-2256

Author(s):

S. Pinde ◽

A.S.R. Tapsoba ◽

M. Sanou ◽

F.G. Traore ◽

R.W. Ouedraogo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Burkina Faso ◽

Phenotypic Variability ◽

Principal Component ◽

Phenotypic Characterization ◽

Accurate Identification ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Large Size ◽

Dimorphisme Sexuel ◽

Rational Management ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Au Burkina Faso les informations sur la poule locale sont rares entrainant des difficultés objectives de son exploitation rationnelle. Un total de 948 individus (692 femelles et 256 mâles) provenant de 251 élevages reparties dans les 3 zones agro-écologiques du Burkina Faso a été évalué pour 13 traits corporels quantitatifs et 09 qualitatifs dans le but de caractériser la variabilité phénotypique de la poule locale. Il ressort 13 coloris de plumage avec le blanc (19,16%) et l’herminé (16,75%) comme couleurs dominantes. Le site et le sexe ont eu une influence (p<0,05) sur les traits corporels analysés. L’Analyse en Composante Principale révèle l’existence de 2 sous-populations: une souche légère de petit gabarit (0,91 kg) dans les trois zones agro-écologiques et une souche lourde de grand gabarit (1,37 kg) dans les zones soudano-sahélienne et soudanienne, laissant présager des différences d’adaptation liées aux facteurs environnementaux. Un dimorphisme sexuel en faveur des mâles a été observé au niveau du poids vif moyen (1,64 kg vs 1,14 kg), de la longueur du corps (42,16 cm vs 37,30 cm) et du périmètre thoracique (29,01 cm vs 25,96 cm). Les résultats rapportés dans cette étude serviront de base pour l’élaboration de programmes de développement basés sur une exploitation rationnelle de la poule locale.Mots clés : Caractérisation phénotypique, poules locales, zones agro-écologiques, Burkina Faso. In Burkina Faso, information on poultry genetic resources is scarce and this scenario does not allow an accurate identification and management strategy for this species. A total of 948 individuals (692 females and 256 males) belonging to 251 different household, accros the 3 agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso have been assessed for 13 quantitative traits and 9 qualitative traits in order to characterize phenotypic variability of local poultry. The most frequent plumage colors are white (19.16%) and hermine (16.75%) out of 13 different coulors identified. The site and the sex of the individuals had a statistically significant influence (P <0.05) on the 13 body measurements analyzed. Principal Component Analysis reveals the existence of 2 subpopulations in the 3 agro-ecological zones, a light hen with small size (0.91 kg) and a heavy and large size hen (1.37 kg), almost encountered in Sudan-Sahel and Sudan areas, suggesting differences in adaptation due to environmental factors. A sexual dimorphism was observed in favor of the males considering bodyweight (1,64 kg vs 1,14 kg), body length (42.16 cm vs 37.30 cm) and the Heart girth (29.01 cm vs 25.96 cm for females). The results reported in the current study will be useful for the establishment of breeding programme based on rational management of local poultry in Burkina Faso.Keywords : Phenotypic characterization, local hens, agro-ecological zones, Burkina Faso.

Download Full-text