Climate variability in Burkina Faso: Perceptions and adaptation strategies of rural populations in provinces of Boulkiemdé, Kouritenga and Ioba

Abstract

The problem of variations in climate parameters is nowadays a major global issue and its effects threaten the survival of many households. These include rural farming households in sub-Saharan Africa that depend on natural resource exploitation. This article analyzes the perceptions of climate variability by communities over the past 10 years and the adaptation strategies implemented. Thus, data from the survey of the project “Migration and Translocality in West Africa” which took place from 1 to 15 June 2022 inthe provinces of Boulkiemdé (Central West region), Kouritenga (Centre-East) and Ioba (South-West) of Burkina Faso, were used. The study shows that 89.4% of the rural heads of household surveyed clearly perceive variations in climatic parameters during the period, with some variations depending on the province of belonging. These variations are mainly reflected in poor distribution of rainfall over time and space, decreased soil fertility, rainfall deficit, increased air temperature, droughts and strong winds. In response to these climatic hazards, adaptation strategies have been adopted by the communities. These adaptation strategies are increasingly used in several localities in West Africa in response to the effects of climate variability.