Abstract
In Burkina Faso, rural livestock farmers in arid and semi-arid areas rely heavily on woody plant resources such as <i>Acacia nilotica</i> and <i>Acacia raddiana</i> to satisfy the needs of small ruminant rearing. The assessment of the availability and the use of these two species are therefore essential to better manage them sustainably for their preservation. The survey carried out in the area showed that the questioned farmers exploited the leaves and pods of the two Acacia for the needs of the ruminants. 100% of the farmers exploit <i>A. raddiana</i> only for the feeding of small ruminants. However, <i>A. nilotica</i> was exploited for animal feed and health. The most commonly reported treatments are Foot and Mouth Disease (98.7%) followed by diarrhea (73.7%) and foot wounds (51.2%). In order to compare the results of the survey, a botanical inventory was carried out in the area and the results showed that <i>A. raddiana</i> is more available compared to <i>A. nilotica.</i> Also, other local species such as Faidherbia albida, <i>Acacia senegal, Balanites aegyptiaca</i> and Acacia siberiana are also exploited for the needs of small ruminant rearing in the study area. The most important constraints were excessive cutting, drought and overexploitation that negatively impact their survival. Data on these constraints provide the basis for a campaign to raise awareness among herders' communities to preserve these plants to sustainably improve the productivity of small ruminants and consequently farmer’s income.
Highlights
In Africa, the effects of climate change are acute
The results of the surveys carried out on the two species of Acacia (A. nilotica and A. raddiana) showed that farmers have a good knowledge of these plants and regularly use them for food and the treatment of small ruminant diseases
The low numbers of feet and the small regenerations of A. nilotica reflect the anthropic pressures that this species undergoes through the abusive cuts and the harmful effect of overgrazing
Summary
In Africa, the effects of climate change are acute. The impact of this phenomenon on livestock production systems in general is the reduction in the quantity and quality of forage available from pasture for feeding livestock [1]. At the level of rural households, small ruminants constitute an important factor in the food and nutritional security of the populations and in the fight against poverty through the incomes generated by the activity [3]. This sector of small ruminant rearing still faces various development problems which are the reduction of pasture areas due to the extension of arable land, the increasing of population and the declining grazing productivity due to the precariousness of rains and soil degradation [4, 5]. It is necessary to add those of the increase of the animal load [6] and wooden needs of the population which reduce qualitatively and quantitatively the natural pastures
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