Sustainsahel - Adoption of crop, tree, shrub and livestock systems

Is the adoption of technologies in the farming community only linked to their socio-economic performance? Upstream identification of adoption constraints with potential beneficiaries is necessary to remove them and promote technology adoption.

What are the constraints to adopting systematic integration of crops, trees/shrubs and livestock?

Integration of crops and shrubs: use of shrub leaves for soil mulching. Photo: Malamine Ouattara, SustainSahel dissemination Saria, Burkina Faso

Integration of crops and livestock: feeding crop residues to animals, Photo: Bruno Kabore, study of the constraints to the adoption of PRSP systems.

Background and objective of the study

This study was carried out within the framework of the SustainSahel WP2 activities. Its main objective is to promote the adoption of systematic integration of crops, trees/shrubs and livestock through the identification of constraints to the adoption of these systems.

Methodology of the study

The study was carried out through a literature review and field surveys with 90 people, including 13 young people and 27 women. For the surveys, there were individual interviews with producers and focus groups with young people, women, farmers who integrate agriculture and farmers who integrate livestock into their activities.

Results of the study

The results of the study showed that there are various constraints related to the integration of crops, trees/shrubs and livestock. The main ones are the following:

Constraints related to the integration of livestock into agriculture and arboriculture

lack of feed for the animals (pasture, concentrates, etc.);
lack of knowledge about livestock management;
insecurity and theft of livestock;
unavailability of and poor access to veterinary and extension services;
Lack of financial means for the acquisition of livestock;
unavailability of means of transporting manure to the field;
Conflicts with farmers and lack of livestock tracks.

Constraints related to the integration of trees/shrubs in agriculture and livestock

unavailability of seeds and woody plants;
the high cost of seeds and woody plants;
lack of knowledge and skills in planting and maintaining trees and shrubs
land insecurity or lack of agricultural land;
competition of trees/shrubs with crops;
destruction of plants by livestock;
difficult access to technical advice and extension services
the difficulty of mechanising farming operations with trees and shrubs.

Constraints related to the integration of agriculture with livestock and arboriculture

lack of labour;
the inadequacy of agricultural extension services;
Lack of technical knowledge on crop management;
the unavailability of quality agricultural inputs and equipment

Written by: Malamine Ouattara, RESCAR-AOC Facilitator, SustainSahel WP2, AFAAS/RESCAR-AOC