Soil and water conservation in Burkina Faso, West Africa
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Date
2018-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sustainability
Abstract
Inadequate land management and agricultural activities have largely resulted in land
degradation in Burkina Faso. The nationwide governmental and institutional driven implementation
and adoption of soil and water conservation measures (SWCM) since the early 1960s, however,
is expected to successively slow down the degradation process and to increase the agricultural
output. Even though relevant measures have been taken, only a few studies have been conducted
to quantify their effect, for instance, on soil erosion and environmental restoration. In addition,
a comprehensive summary of initiatives, implementation strategies, and eventually region-specific
requirements for adopting different SWCM is missing. The present study therefore aims to review the
different SWCM in Burkina Faso and implementation programs, as well as to provide information
on their effects on environmental restoration and agricultural productivity. This was achieved
by considering over 143 studies focusing on Burkina Faso’s experience and research progress in
areas of SWCM and soil erosion. SWCM in Burkina Faso have largely resulted in an increase in
agricultural productivity and improvement in food security. Finally, this study aims at supporting the
country’s informed decision-making for extending already existing SWCM and for deriving further
implementation strategies.
Description
An article published by Sustainability 2018, 10, 3182; and available at doi:10.3390/su10093182
Keywords
soil and water conservation, environmental degradation, agricultural productivity, food security, soil erosion, Burkina Faso
Citation
Sustainability 2018, 10, 3182