Determination of crop-livestock integration factors in the North-Sudanian zone: case of two villages in the province of Yatenga

Abstract

In order to determine the crop-livestock integration factors in the North-Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso, a study was conducted in two villages (Tougou and Aorèma) in the Yatenga Province. It consisted of a formal survey of a sample of 120 farmers in order to obtain information on the socio-economic characteristics of farmers; the characteristics of crop production farms, animal production and agriculture-livestock integration. The results show two groups of farmers who are differentiated by the means of production at their disposal and the innovations adopted in their productions. Group 1 is mainly made up of older agropastoralists, while the group 2 includes more young farmers under 50 years of age. In group 1, farmers have more diversified crops, apply more measures to maintain the fertility of the fields and are more involved in fattening activities. Group 2 is mainly made up of crop farmers and located in the Aorèma site. It appears that in the area, the determinants of crop-livestock integration are the production of organic manure to improve the fields, the storage of crop residues to feed animals, work energy, capital. Crop-livestock integration is therefore a reality in the study area, but requires capacity building for farmers to better benefit from its advantages.