Farmers' perceptions and adoption of agroecological practices in the Central-North region of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Conventional agricultural systems contribute to the continuous degradation of land, forests and water, ultimately leading to low agricultural yields in most of sub-Saharan Africa, in addition to climate change. The effects vary from one agro-climatic context to another. For a country of the Sahel region such as Burkina Faso, agroecology is an answer to the agro-environmental transition. This paper therefore analyzes the role of perceptions in decisions of farmers to adopt and intensify agro-ecological practices in the North Central region of Burkina Faso. Using a Tobit model with data from 137 farm households, the research shows that perceptions play an important role in the adoption and intensification of agroecology. Perceptions about the coverage of needs and utility favor the practice of agroecology. So do experience, literacy and household size. On the other hand, the perception of risk, the weight of economically inactive people and the size of the area are impediments. These results imply that agricultural policies for the extension of agroecological techniques must take into account the perceptions of farmers. There is also the need to build their capacity through literacy and vocational training.