14 Water Resources in the Sahel and Adaptation …
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of the soils, slopes and land use. They contribute to reducing the effects of drought by
promoting water infiltration and slowing runoff due to their rough surface. This technique enables farmers to plant crops with shorter cycles than traditional crops. For
example, sorghum varieties have decreased from 120–150 days to 70–90 days during
the 2000–2015 period in some environments. Over 40 years (1970–2010), the average
adoption rate for stone rows is 69.3%, 49.1% for zaï, 39.1% for improved seeds and
26.2% for grass strips. The rate of adoption of other innovations (half-moons, bunds,
mulching) is less than 10% in total (Zongo 2016).
4.1.2 Seasonal Forecasts
Seasonal forecasts are also among farmers’ traditional strategies to reduce climate
risk for rainfed crop production. The agricultural calendar is established by farmers
according to pedoclimatic conditions: increase in temperatures, strong winds
followed by dust, and the clear visibility of the stars and the moon reflect a regular
distribution of rainfall for the upcoming season. Early and significant flowering of
Erythrina abyssinica and Brachystegia speciformis from July to November has also
been identified as one of the signals of a good rainy season. In contrast, abundant
production of fruit by the Boscia albitrunca and Adansonia digitata and the increase
of elephants appearing near watering points indicate an upcoming dry season. The
flowering of the plant species Brachystegia spiciforms and Julbernardia globiora
indicates the beginning of the rainy season, while an abundance of fruit from Uapaca
kirkiana and Parinari curatellifolia indicate drought for the upcoming season. In
addition to observing the behavior of animals and plants, ritual specialists use visions,
dreams and divine revelations to predict the weather. As climate change has increased,
these ritual forecasts have become less reliable (Mogotsi et al. 2011).
4.2 Public Authorities
Burkina Faso implemented a national climate change adaptation program in 2007.
The plan seeks to develop adaptive capacity and resilience and to integrate the anticipated consequences of climate change into policies and programs within relevant
sectors. Its purpose is to produce a reference to serve as a basis to reduce the vulnerability of natural, social and economic systems. The plan was developed rigorously
at the institutional, technical and financial levels. Researchers from the University
of Ouagadougou have prepared climate projections for Burkina Faso up to the year
2100 and have assessed the vulnerability of the various development sectors. The
Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has appointed a Technical
Committee to prepare and monitor the adaptation plan. Funding will be provided
by a combination of Federal funds, partners, international foundations, the private
323
of the soils, slopes and land use. They contribute to reducing the effects of drought by
promoting water infiltration and slowing runoff due to their rough surface. This technique enables farmers to plant crops with shorter cycles than traditional crops. For
example, sorghum varieties have decreased from 120–150 days to 70–90 days during
the 2000–2015 period in some environments. Over 40 years (1970–2010), the average
adoption rate for stone rows is 69.3%, 49.1% for zaï, 39.1% for improved seeds and
26.2% for grass strips. The rate of adoption of other innovations (half-moons, bunds,
mulching) is less than 10% in total (Zongo 2016).
4.1.2 Seasonal Forecasts
Seasonal forecasts are also among farmers’ traditional strategies to reduce climate
risk for rainfed crop production. The agricultural calendar is established by farmers
according to pedoclimatic conditions: increase in temperatures, strong winds
followed by dust, and the clear visibility of the stars and the moon reflect a regular
distribution of rainfall for the upcoming season. Early and significant flowering of
Erythrina abyssinica and Brachystegia speciformis from July to November has also
been identified as one of the signals of a good rainy season. In contrast, abundant
production of fruit by the Boscia albitrunca and Adansonia digitata and the increase
of elephants appearing near watering points indicate an upcoming dry season. The
flowering of the plant species Brachystegia spiciforms and Julbernardia globiora
indicates the beginning of the rainy season, while an abundance of fruit from Uapaca
kirkiana and Parinari curatellifolia indicate drought for the upcoming season. In
addition to observing the behavior of animals and plants, ritual specialists use visions,
dreams and divine revelations to predict the weather. As climate change has increased,
these ritual forecasts have become less reliable (Mogotsi et al. 2011).
4.2 Public Authorities
Burkina Faso implemented a national climate change adaptation program in 2007.
The plan seeks to develop adaptive capacity and resilience and to integrate the anticipated consequences of climate change into policies and programs within relevant
sectors. Its purpose is to produce a reference to serve as a basis to reduce the vulnerability of natural, social and economic systems. The plan was developed rigorously
at the institutional, technical and financial levels. Researchers from the University
of Ouagadougou have prepared climate projections for Burkina Faso up to the year
2100 and have assessed the vulnerability of the various development sectors. The
Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development has appointed a Technical
Committee to prepare and monitor the adaptation plan. Funding will be provided
by a combination of Federal funds, partners, international foundations, the private