Facteurs de performances agronomiques et de rentabilité dans la culture du Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., var deeringiana dans les élevages laitiers extensifs à l’Ouest du Burkina Faso

Abstract

The productivity of dairy farms in Burkina Faso declines every year during the dry season, due to the
scarcity of pastoral resources. One of the options chosen by farmers to overcome this problem is to grow
fodder crops. The aim of this study was to determine the technical and economic performance of pure
cultivation of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var deeringiana, a forage legume of great interest. The
methodological approach used was that of CHIA's (2004) Experimentation at and by Farmers. It consisted
in monitoring 26 plots of 0.25 ha each at the locations of volunteer test farmers (ETV). The data collected
were subjected to a multivariate analysis, which resulted in the formation of classes of farmers according
to their cropping practices and production performance. The best forage biomass yield was obtained by
class 3 (3,554.5 ± 1,381.11 kg DM/ha). This was determined by the use of organic manure (100% of class
3 producers), a higher sowing density (36,000 ±7,000 bunches/ha) and less time spent on weeding (1 0 ± 6
working days per ha). Reasoned use of herbicides does not improve forage yields but does help to increase
the economic performance of Mucuna cultivation by limiting the need for labor during weeding operations.
The results suggest that, for profitable Mucuna production, emphasis should be placed on organic
fertilization, good sowing density and the rational use of herbicides