Country

Burkina Faso

Explore historical and projected climate data, climate data by sector, impacts, key vulnerabilities and what adaptation measures are being taken. Explore the overview for a general context of how climate change is affecting Burkina Faso.

Adaptation

Burkina Faso finalized their National Climate Change Adaptation Plan in May 2015, which includes specific sectoral adaptation actions as well as a country-wide strategy. Lowering Burkina Faso’s vulnerability to climate change requires the implementation of a number of integrated measures aimed at strengthening agricultural production and water resource management, including the systematic assessment of hydro-meteorological risks and provision of early warning. Other efforts include the restoration of degraded areas, improvement of sanitation services, protection of wildlife and forests, and promotion of alternative energy sources. Community-level adaptation action is needed to translate the objectives of the numerous sectoral policies and plans already adopted in the country into specific on-the-ground outcomes.

Adaptation Options for Key Sectors

  • Decentralize food stocks (cereal banks).
  • Improve the communication and management of food stock distribution during a crisis.
  • Strengthen drought preparedness and crisis food management in Oursi and Boulsa.
  • Educate and train people on how to deal with the risk of food insecurity.
  • Secure grain production through the promotion of supplementary irrigation in the provinces of Oudalan and Nammemtenga.
  • Promote the use of more resilient crop seeds and techniques that are “anti-aleatoire” (multiple varieties, planting date, tillage, and CES/DRS techniques).
  • Improve soil fertility through correct use of organic manure (compost pits and mineral rich fertilizers).
  • Improve irrigated agriculture developments and supplementary irrigation.
  • Strengthen early warning systems for weather-, water-, and climate-related hazards, improve communications and notifications to farmers regarding climate (seasonal) and hydrological forecasts (pockets of drought, floods, and pests), and harmonize information databases and methodologies.
  • Establish strategic land grazing policies that secure access to water points.
  • Increase stockpiling of hay, straw and crop residuals.
  • Improve the management of transhumance.
  • Promote improved ‘green’ stoves and other alternative energy equipment (self-cook, pot Bora, water heaters and solar dryers).

Gaps and Needs

  • Impact studies are required, particularly on agricultural productivity with projected changes in climate. For example, initial studies on the impacts of climate change on cotton production suggested yield increases in the northern regions. However, additional feasibility studies are required to support any projected change in production yields, particularly with regards to water availability.
  • There is a need to improve existing impact studies to investigate how a sustained drop in rainfall will affect groundwater levels, environmental degradation, and biodiversity. Changes in climate, land use, and population pressure have already increased erosion and siltation, but the impacts are yet to be fully understood.
  • Robust farming techniques for a changing climate need to be identified, such as drought-tolerant and culturally acceptable cereals.
  • A comprehensive assessment of river flows and water management structures can help to identify locations for the creation of water-retention ponds.
  • A more efficient meteorological network is needed to provide better ground measurements and validation for climate models.
  • The National Adaptation Program of Action priorities cover all vulnerable sectors, including livestock, energy and forestry, but there are no on-going projects focusing on these three sectors. However, for the forestry sector, OneWorld (2010) notes that the government already sponsors mass tree planting schemes in an attempt to fight against desertification that results from extensive clearance of forested areas for household purposes. A further gap appears in understanding the differential impact of climate change on men and women, which is not an objective of current adaptation actions.
  • Most of the current projects focus on capacity building for institutions, but most of the proposed actions involve capacity building for rural populations, community-based adaptation, infrastructure building and technology transfer.
  • Mechanisms for rapid assistance to those affected by natural disasters, including floods and droughts, such as monitoring capabilities and institutions responsible for addressing natural disaster risk.
  • Financial and operational support for the National Programme for Land Management and Administration (PNGT), which is proposed as the main government program tasked with incorporating climate change adaptation into local and community-level planning.
  • Financial and operational support for ongoing efforts to expand irrigation in key cereal production areas, particularly in the northern provinces of l’Oudalan and Namentenga.
  • Trained technical experts in climate change for coordination among institutions with clear mandates.
  • Seed varieties that require less water, particularly for farmers who are expected to continually face water shortages.
  • Although regional meteorological and agricultural institutes such as The West Africa Inland Valley Information System (WAIVIS) and Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) work to predict seasonal crop conditions, the dissemination and accuracy of knowledge need improvement and expansion to support appropriate response measures.
  • A mechanism to support the integration of data from relevant research institutions to address current and future climate change risks is required in order to systematically monitor changes and risks.
  • Food aid statistics in Burkina Faso display the need for a robust food security early warning system to allow for early and preventative action in cases of chronic food insecurity. In the food security and nutrition sector, information is critical for both emergency interventions and long-term assistance. Quality information, delivered in a relevant timeframe and with gender specifics, is necessary in order to respond adequately to targeted groups.