14 Water Resources in the Sahel and Adaptation …
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While some regions are facing severe drought due to the decrease in total rainfall,
others are flooding. The drought periods between 1973–1974 and 1983–1984 greatly
affected eco- and production systems. A decrease in rainfall is also accompanied by
an extension of the dry season and a shortening of the duration of the rainy season.
As articulated by a farmer, There is a climate change. I was away for 11 years. When
I came back, I saw the difference. The rains have become messy, less regular and
more intense. Years before, it could rain continuously for three days; nowadays it
rains for 30 min. Similarly, when I was a child, it would not rain during the month
of February, while nowadays it could happen (Benoît 2008).
4 Adaptation Policies and Strategies
4.1 The Rural World
Historically, populations cope with climatic disturbances based on their own adaptation techniques and knowledge. Local and intergenerational knowledge of agriculture, including seed selection, agricultural practices and scheduling agricultural
interventions, has been perpetuated over generations. However, development policies implemented by the authorities often emphasize the use of equipment, fertilizer
extension and seeds, and do not always take into account the know-how of farmers in
developing adaptive agricultural practices. Not surprisingly, the population is, therefore, often reluctant to adopt new measures (Oualbéogo 2007). As a result, poor
agricultural productivity has, over time, led to an increase in cultivation to compensate. As cultivatable land becomes scarcer, lowlands have been developed, and the
perimeters downstream of water reservoirs have been irrigated more intensely. A case
in point is the development of lowlands for rice and market gardening production,
supported by the government, which provides mineral fertilizer. At the same time,
rural populations have erected cropping fields on secure high land (mounds, hills) to
prevent the excess runoff overflow during heavy rains. Other examples of adaptation
are the building of stone rows and gullies, digging zaï (pits), half-moons and rock
dams, and the application of mulching and grass strips.
4.1.1 Agricultural Practices
Stone rows (Fig. 9) reduce runoff and increase water infiltration, which reduces crop
water stress during dry spells. This technique has proven effective in reducing soil
erosion, and 20–25% of areas in the north and north-central regions can be subjected
to the technique with corresponding gains in yield per hectare of 30–68% for sorghum
and 21–48% for millet (Ouédraogo 2005).
The zaï technique (Fig. 10) involves the introduction of organic matter into pits
containing the crop. The plants are sowed under favorable conditions for growth. This
319
While some regions are facing severe drought due to the decrease in total rainfall,
others are flooding. The drought periods between 1973–1974 and 1983–1984 greatly
affected eco- and production systems. A decrease in rainfall is also accompanied by
an extension of the dry season and a shortening of the duration of the rainy season.
As articulated by a farmer, There is a climate change. I was away for 11 years. When
I came back, I saw the difference. The rains have become messy, less regular and
more intense. Years before, it could rain continuously for three days; nowadays it
rains for 30 min. Similarly, when I was a child, it would not rain during the month
of February, while nowadays it could happen (Benoît 2008).
4 Adaptation Policies and Strategies
4.1 The Rural World
Historically, populations cope with climatic disturbances based on their own adaptation techniques and knowledge. Local and intergenerational knowledge of agriculture, including seed selection, agricultural practices and scheduling agricultural
interventions, has been perpetuated over generations. However, development policies implemented by the authorities often emphasize the use of equipment, fertilizer
extension and seeds, and do not always take into account the know-how of farmers in
developing adaptive agricultural practices. Not surprisingly, the population is, therefore, often reluctant to adopt new measures (Oualbéogo 2007). As a result, poor
agricultural productivity has, over time, led to an increase in cultivation to compensate. As cultivatable land becomes scarcer, lowlands have been developed, and the
perimeters downstream of water reservoirs have been irrigated more intensely. A case
in point is the development of lowlands for rice and market gardening production,
supported by the government, which provides mineral fertilizer. At the same time,
rural populations have erected cropping fields on secure high land (mounds, hills) to
prevent the excess runoff overflow during heavy rains. Other examples of adaptation
are the building of stone rows and gullies, digging zaï (pits), half-moons and rock
dams, and the application of mulching and grass strips.
4.1.1 Agricultural Practices
Stone rows (Fig. 9) reduce runoff and increase water infiltration, which reduces crop
water stress during dry spells. This technique has proven effective in reducing soil
erosion, and 20–25% of areas in the north and north-central regions can be subjected
to the technique with corresponding gains in yield per hectare of 30–68% for sorghum
and 21–48% for millet (Ouédraogo 2005).
The zaï technique (Fig. 10) involves the introduction of organic matter into pits
containing the crop. The plants are sowed under favorable conditions for growth. This