Assessment of Livestock Water Productivity in Seno and Yatenga Provinces of Burkina Faso

Abstract

The expected increase in livestock production to meet its increasing demand could lead to increased water depletion through feeds production. This study aimed at estimating the amount of water depletion through feeds and its corresponding productivity in livestock within the three dominant livestock management systems namely sedentary-intensive, sedentary-extensive, and transhumance in Yatenga and Seno provinces in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso. Using a participatory rapid appraisal and individual interview, beneficial animal products, and services were estimated, and consequently, livestock water productivity (LWP) as the ratio of livestock products and services to the amount of water depleted. Our results showed feed resources are mainly natural pasture and crop residues are common in all the management systems though the proportion of each feed type in the feed basket and seasonal preferences varied. Consequently, water depleted for feed production was similar across the systems in both provinces and ranged from 2,500 to 3,200 m−3 ha−1 yr−1. Values for milk (40 US$US$/household) and flock offtake (313 US$/household) derived from the transhumant system were higher (P < 0.05) than those from other systems in the Seno province. With higher returns from the beneficial outputs, LWP was higher (0.11 US$ m−3) in the transhumant system than other systems in Yatenga, but similar with sedentary-intensive in Seno Province Multiple regression analysis results showed that LWP had a significant positive relationship with flock offtake in Yatenga but milk and flock offtake in Seno. The study concluded that sedentary-intensive and transhumant system with more market-oriented beneficial outputs and much dependence on less-water-depleted feed resources will improve livestock water productivity in dry areas. Besides, interventions to improve livestock water productivity through beneficial outputs must recognize the unique socio-cultural context of the livestock farmers.

Water Use Strategies for Livestock by Pastoralists: The Case of Semi-Arid Areas in Monduli District, Arusha Region, Tanzania

“…Various studies have been conducted in the areas related to livestock water supply services. These include a study on water scarcity resiliency (Ainab, 2018;Ahile et al, 2015;Msambichaka & Onyango, 2019), livestock water productivity (Peden et al, 2009;Amole et al, 2021;, elements influencing mechanisms of access to resources (Ellis, 2016;Myers & Muhajir, 2015), water resources availability and livestock production (Heinke et al, 2020;Niyonzima et al, 2014;Al-Khaza'leh et al, 2020), the role of water in livestock (Wakchaure et al, 2015;Doreau et al, 2012;Ahlberg et al, 2019). However, studies that explore livestock water use strategies by pastoralists are limited.…”