Pastoralism in Transition: Factors Associated with the Diversity of Pastoral Adaptation Strategies in Burkina Faso
Abdoul Kader Gandema *
Doctoral School of Natural Sciences and Agronomy (ED-SNA), Nazi BONI University, BP 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Yambila Florent Lankoande
Institute for Rural Development (IDR), Nazi BONI University, BP 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso and Laboratory for Studies and Research on Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nazi Boni University, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Die Xavier Millogo
Institute for Rural Development (IDR), Nazi BONI University, BP 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso and Laboratory for Studies and Research on Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nazi Boni University, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Safoura Dindane-Ouedraogo
Doctoral School of Natural Sciences and Agronomy (ED-SNA), Nazi BONI University, BP 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Ossama Eric Bazie
Doctoral School of Natural Sciences and Agronomy (ED-SNA), Nazi BONI University, BP 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
Salifou Ouedraogo-Kone
Institute for Rural Development (IDR), Nazi BONI University, BP 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso and Laboratory for Studies and Research on Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nazi Boni University, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Pastoral and agropastoral households in Burkina Faso face ecological and social pressures that may influence their adaptation strategies.
Aims: To identify the factors associated with the selection of pastoral adaptation strategies to understand the diversity of observed practices and guide policies that support herders.
Study Design: Cross-sectional household survey with a semi-structured questionnaire; stratified purposive sampling of households.
Place and Duration of Study: 38 villages in nine communes of the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of Burkina Faso, October 2023.
Methodology: Data were obtained through interviews with the heads of 125 pastoral and agropastoral households using a semi-structured questionnaire. Households could report several strategies. Associations with household status, herd composition and commune were tested with chi-square tests (Monte Carlo P values and Holm adjustment) in R 4.5.1.
Results: Reduced mobility (21.3% of mentions) and destocking (20.5%) were the most frequent strategies. Nine of the 14 associations tested remained significant after adjustment. Commune was associated with all five strategies tested (P ≤ .002), herd composition with reduced mobility and herd diversification (both P < .001), and household status with herd diversification (P < .001) and sedentarization (P = .002). Displaced households used a balanced mix of strategies, native households tended towards destocking and reduced mobility, and migrant households reported a relatively even distribution of strategies.
Conclusion: These associations are bivariate and were derived from a single survey, so they describe the surveyed areas at one point in time. They argue for support policies differentiated by commune, herd composition and household status rather than standardised approaches.
Keywords: Pastoralism, pastoral adaptation, agropastoral households, livestock mobility, destocking, herd diversification, sedentarization, household status, territorial variation