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Farmer perceptions and adaptation options to rainfall change: Evidence from Burkina Faso Volume 21, issue 2, avril-mai-juin 2010

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Authors
Institut de l'environnement et de recherches agricoles (Inera) Station de recherches de Farako-Bâ 01 BP 910 Bobo-Dioulasso 01 Burkina Faso, Institut de l'environnement et de recherches agricoles (Inera) CREAF de Kamboinsé 01 BP 476 Ouagadougou 01Burkina Faso

This research analyzes farmers' perceptions of rainfall change in Burkina Faso and adaptation options implemented by farmers to confront such changes. On the basis of household surveys on 1,530 farms, the research shows that farmers have a good perception of change in precipitation. These changes in precipitation are translated by a decrease of rainfall, disturbance of the rainy season, irregular rainfall which is becoming more and more critical and a frequency of drought pockets during the rainy season, etc. The survey reveals that farmers adopt many strategies in response to change in precipitation. The widespread adaptation options are: use of new varieties, use of water and soil management techniques, use of organic fertilizer, and modification of the dates of sowing. These responses vary according to the vulnerability of the agro-climatic zones. The main factors determining adoption of strategies remain the perception variables. The adaptation to climate change is limited by material, financial and technical constraints as well as by the problems of access to information.