Agricultural rehabilitation in the Central Plateau of Burkina Faso (1980-2002) was achieved through soil and water conservation, crop and livestock systems improvement, and increasing the organizational capacity of villagers (Kaboré and Reij 2004; Reij and Steeds 2003). Approximately 100,000 hectares have been contour-bunded to reduce water runoff. As a result, groundwater recharge improved significantly; wells that used to run dry in the dry season now provide water year-round, an effect that cannot be explained simply by rainfall variation (Kaboré and Reij 2004).

Soil fertility has been restored to tens of thousands of hectares of degraded land using the zaï technique of digging holes to retain manure and water in the plant root zone. As a result of more plant growth, there was more fodder (leaves and young shoots) to feed more animals. With more animals, there was more animal manure - which in turn, enabled more manure for more zaï holes, in a self-reinforcing cycle of land renewal.

This virtuous cycle has been a boon to area residents. Farmers report substantial productivity gains and enhanced family food security. Villagers perceive substantial reduction in the frequency of poverty in their communities, and reduced out-migration. The authors note that good governance throughout the period was also essential for success, and the 1994 devaluation of the CFA franc increased livestock values, helping motivate farmer investments.

Return to "Dryland success stories"

References Cited

Kaboré, D. and Reij, C. 2004. The emergence and spreading of an improved traditional soil and water conservation practice in Burkina Faso. EPTD Discussion Paper No. 114. Washington D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute.http://www.ifpri.org/divs/eptd/dp/eptdp114.htm

Reij, C. and Steeds, D. 2003. Success stories in Africa's drylands: supporting advocates and answering skeptics. Rome: Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.