Year 2022, Volume 7, Issue 2

Year : 2022
Volume : 7
Issue : 2
   
Authors : Hamid EL BILALI, Lawali DAMBO, Imaël Henri Nestor BASSOLE, Jacques NANEMA, Generosa CALABRESE
Title : AGROECOLOGY IN BURKINA FASO AND NIGER
Abstract : Agroecology is considered a science, a practice and a social movement, which shows the centrality of research in agroecology development. Interest in agroecology has been shown in many developing countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger. Therefore, this paper analyses the state of research on agroecology in Burkina Faso and Niger, by drawing upon a search of scholarly publications performed in June 2021 on the Web of Science. The analysis of the scholarly literature suggests that the scientific component of agroecology is underdeveloped in both countries. Despite the recurring discourse on agroecology in West Africa, quality research is far below expectation and this might hamper the development of the agroecological movement as well as the documentation and dissemination of agroecological practices. Agroecology is presented as an instrument to address several environmental (e.g. biodiversity loss, land degradation), social (e.g. food insecurity) and economic (e.g. unemployment, poverty) challenges. Indeed, agroecology could contribute to food security, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. The literature also highlights that agroecological management is knowledge-intensive so farmers’ capacities need to be strengthened to increase the adoption of agroecological practices. Agroecology is also labour intensive, which can increase its contribution to local economies and livelihoods (cf. employment) but could also hamper its adoption where there is limited labour availability. Further research is needed to foster agroecological transition in Burkina Faso and Niger, which is fundamental to move towards sustainable agriculture and food systems that ensure food and nutrition security without undermining the fragile natural resource base.
For citation : El Bilali, H., Dambo, L., Bassole, I.H.N., Nanema, J., Calabrese, G. (2022). Agroecology in Burkina Faso and Niger. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 7. Issue No. 2. pp. 51-60. DOI: 10.7251/AGRENG2202051E
Keywords : agroecological transition, biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, West Africa.
   
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