DOI: 10.12688/openresafrica.16683.1 ISSN: 2752-6925

Scaling up agroforestry and forestry practices in Burkina Faso: an analysis of the experience of the Association for the Promotion of Agroforestry and Forestry (APAF Burkina)

Guessèma Léonard ZERBO, Brigitte BASTIDE, Tionyélé FAYAMA, Agnasseomê Firmin HIEN, Mipro HIEN
Show PDF Cite
Background Faced with the challenge of producing enough food to meet the ever-growing dietary needs of populations while preserving soil quality, agroforestry has emerged as a viable solution. However, the issue of its adoption arises, influenced by multiple factors. This study examines the contribution of knowledge transfer and scaling-up approaches to the adoption of agroforestry practices through an analysis of the experience of the Association for the Promotion of Agroforestry and Forestry in Burkina Faso (APAF Burkina). Methods A survey was conducted with the association to understand its approach and with 60 informants from its area of operation to assess the level of adoption of the promoted practice and its dissemination among the population. Results The adoption rate for planting fertilizing trees was 63.3%. Knowledge of fertilizing trees (p = 6.52 × 10 −5 ), the respondent’s gender (p = 2.00 × 10 −5 ), membership in the association (p = 3.77 × 10 −9 ), observation of the effect of fertilizing trees (p = 1.54 × 10 −10 ), and ownership status (3.19 × 10 −4 ) significantly influenced the adoption of the technique. The association’s approach to technology transfer and scaling up relies on the observability of results and ongoing support for beneficiaries. Watering the seedlings (73.7%), protecting the seedlings from animals (71.1%), digging planting holes (47.4%), and fires (42.1%) were the main constraints to the adoption of the practice identified by the communities. Conclusion The association’s experience shows that longer-term support for beneficiaries and the observability of results are critical to the adoption of agroforestry.

More from our Archive