Abstract
Food insecurity is a major challenge facing the rapidly growing population in the sub-Saharan Africa and it is a common feature in the northern region of Burkina Faso. The focus of this study was to investigate the prevalence of food insecurity in the northern region of Burkina Faso after many years of implementation of water and soil conservation techniques. A survey was carried out in six villages in the Northern Region of Burkina Faso involving 300 households to assess water and soil conservation techniques, and to examine the prevalence of food insecurity. The study was conducted between June and July 2015. Data collected was analyzed using logistic regression to identify factors influencing food insecurity in the study areas. The results also showed a high level of food insecurity affecting a large proportion of the population even during the post-harvest period when food was supposed to be available. Results showed that water and soil conservation techniques and household head education level were important factors in determining household food insecurity status. Despite the application of these techniques, food insecurity is still persistent, which raised questions about the efficiency of current agricultural production systems. In addressing food insecurity in the study area, it is necessary to reinforce the practice of combining stone bunds and inter-row ridges techniques along with proper use of fertilizer and manure. Given the persistent problem of water scarcity in Burkina Faso, and the relationship between water and food security, there is need to increase investment in water management infrastructures. Key words: Mixed crop-livestock systems, water and soil conservation techniques, food security, Burkina Faso, Sahel.
Highlights
Our results showed that the prevalence of household food insecurity varied significantly among different combinations of water and soil conservation techniques
This study aimed at answering the question of whether the practice of water and soil conservation techniques influences the food security situation in the northern region where they are commonly practiced
Our results showed that water and soil conservation techniques help to reduce food insecurity
Summary
Water and soil conservation techniques are commonly practiced by farmers in the northern region of Burkina Faso in coping with the problem of land degradation. Res. water infiltration in the soil, and increasing crop yields (Zougmoré et al, 2003; Zougmoré et al, 2004; Kiema, 2008; Zougmore et al, 2002; Liu et al, 2015). In years of average rainfall, crop yields could increase by 63-74% on farms using stone bunds (Sawadogo, 2011). The increase in crop productivity should normally lead to an improvement in household food security in the region –as higher yields often improve household food security (Sawadogo, 2003; Sinyolo et al, 2014). Most cereal crops (80-85%) were produced for domestic consumption, as cereals account for up to 67% of the calorie content of the Burkinabe’s diet in the rural areas (Sawadogo, 2011)
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