Evaluation des pratiques paysannes de conservation in situ du taurin Baoulé au Sud-Ouest du Burkina Faso

Abstract

The study evaluated the small farmers' practices implemented by cattle breeders to ensure the conservation of the Baoulé breed. The study involved 52% of the 636 known producers from the 54 targeted villages, which constitute 7% of the total villages of the Poni and Noumbiel provinces in Burkina Faso. The transverse and retrospective survey was carried out and was combined with direct observation. The modalities of the frequencies of various actions and the coefficients that affected them were transformed into quantitative variables. Adhesion to a possible project of conservation, participation in farmers’ groups and other associations and schooling induce positive acts of conduct, health care and social activities for conservation but have a negative effect on reproduction (cross breeding). Membership of the Lobi ethnic group contributes to the conservation of Baoulé cattle. The possession of draught animals promotes the activities of conduct, management, health care and social activities that are protective but active management of reproduction does not contribute to conservation. Moreover, the possession of an exclusive herd of Baoulé cattle, the castration of males from other cattle breeds, the taking of individual decisions of management and the membership of Lobi ethnic group are all favourable to the conservation of Baoulé cattle. The positive total assessment of the practices implemented in the Lobi region of Burkina Faso shows the limited development of Baoulé cattle crossbreeding. The quantitative variables obtained by transformation constitute a new approach, making it possible to quantify the practices of conservation of the animal breeds in their natural environment (in situ).