Farm-level adoption of soil and water conservation techniques in northern Burkina Faso

Using a Probit regression model, this study uses data from 230 small farm households in northern Burkina Faso to identify and analyse the determinants for the adoption of two soil and water conservation techniques, the "zai" and the stone strip. The "zai" is a traditional technique for restoring degraded soils by creating a micro-environment favourable for crops by digging and sowing in holes in which manure or compost has already been deposited. In the stone strips, stones are arranged perpendicular to the slope of the land in order to slow down water flow, encourage water infiltration and increase the sedimentation of the materials reconstituting soil. The Results indicate that the most significant variables for the adoption of both of these conservation adoption are training and small ruminants holding. Variables such as education and perception of soil degradation are determinants only for the adoption of zai technique. Membership in a farmer's association and area cultivated are positively related only in the case of the stone strips. Although stone strips is a technique suitable for larger areas, the results show that the perception of soil degradation is not positively correlated with this technique. These findings suggest, therefore, that support services for rural development should focus their intervention on making farmers convinced of the problem of soil degradation before training them on soil conservation practices. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.