Transhumance et gestion des ressources naturelles au Sahel : contraintes et perspectives face aux mutations des systèmes de productions pastorales

In the Sahelian region of Burkina Faso, the dominant livestock keeping system is the pastoral system characterized by a high dependence on natural resources. Currently, the traditional practices are not any more able to respond efficiently to the recurrent animal’s feeding and watering problems. The range of herd mobility, the transhumance has become more important and the stays in the destination sites are becoming longer. This present work aims to make a baseline on the transhumance practices and its perspectives in the context of ongoing great mutation of livestock production system in the Sahel. Household surveys with 111 transhumant pastoralist, coupled with semi structured interview with 16 key informants were conducted. Results show that, transhumance is an animal production system in expansion in the Sahel. Herd mobility is mainly due to lack of forages and water resources (88%). Departure to, and return from transhumance as well as the time spent in transit zones and the distance travelled depend on the availability of pastures resources. The itinerary analyses showed a first group of transhumant having their destination toward Béli and Republic of Mali, and the second group move southward to Gourma region of Burkina Faso, and neighbouring countries such Ghana, Benin and Togo. The main constraints of transhumance are access to watering point (19.4 %), conflicts and animals rob (19.7 %), crops fields damage (41 %) and high taxes payment (21 %). Action to be taken for the future of transhumance, are creation of pastoral zones (47%), digging of pastoral wells (53%) and dam (52%); and establishment and maintenance of transhumance routes (21%). Based on the analyses of the constraints, propositions were formulated for adaptation and improvement of the production system in relation to the key issues and challenges: i) the creation of pastoral zones, ii) securisation of transhumance routes and pastures areas iii) improvement of transhumance practices and iv) capacity building of transhumant pastoralists