Vulnerability and coping strategies of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the Niassa pastoral zone of south-central Burkina Faso

Abstract

The livestock sub-sector plays an important role in Burkina Faso's economy, contributing over 15% of total
GDP. However, it faces many difficulties. The aim of this study is to analyse the vulnerability factors of
pastoralists and their coping strategies through a survey of 196 pastoralist and agro-pastoralist households.
The results show that pockets of drought, epizootic diseases and flooding are the 3 main vulnerability
factors affecting more than 85% of stakeholders. These factors lead to herd mortality, fodder and water
shortages, and a reduction in grazing land. Despite these impacts, pastoralists are continuing their main
activity through adaptation strategies. The adoption of these strategies varies according to the type of
stakeholder. The MCA revealed 3 types of stakeholder: pastoralists with high livestock numbers, agropastoralists and pastoralists with medium livestock numbers, and agropastoralists with low to medium
livestock numbers. The strategies are transhumance, ethnoveterinary practices, an imal diversification,
mutual aid, fodder cultivation, fodder storage, veterinary care, destocking, diversification of activities and
the use of SPAI.