The impact of climate variability on maize production in the rural commune of Bérégadougou (Burkina Faso)

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Résumé

Maize is the main cereal crop in the rural commune of Bérégadougou, located within the
Cascades region, in western Burkina Faso. It is traded commercially and is the staple food of the local
population. Given the climatic variability affecting maize farming systems, this study aims to analyse
its effects on maize production in Bérégadougou. The research methodology is based on a global
geographical approach that integrates meteorological data (1991-2020), climatic parameters and field
work. The results show a variation in rainfall patterns, with a rainy season (May to October) and a dry
season (November to April). The interannual rainfall trend shows that several years (e.g., 1992, 1996,
1999–2017) are considered dry because the average rainfall is below 900 mm, which is the average
for the series. The temperature analysis shows that 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2016
recorded average annual temperatures of over 28°C, while the other years in the study series had
average temperatures between 27°C and 28°C. Evapotranspiration is also fairly high in the rural
commune of Bérégadougou, at over 2,000 mm for all years in the analysed series. As a result, maize
growers have to adjust and implement adaptation strategies: crop association (98% of maize growers),
crop rotation (78% of the growers), chemical fertilizers (48% of the growers), and organic manure
(97% of the growers). Public and private authorities must therefore encourage farmers to adopt new
short-cycle varieties that are resistant to climatic variability.

Mots-clés

temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, maize, Bérégadougou, Burkina Faso