Step-by-Step and Progressive Transformation of Aquaculture Value Chain for Climate Adaptation in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Food security solutions are the African Sahel's fierce urgency of now, especially with climate change which is already impacting the region. Climate change can have a huge impact on agriculture and subsequently, on food availability. Recurrent episodes of environmental phenomena (e.g., granivorous birds, acarine invasions, epizootics, epidemics), and climatic hazards (e.g., severe hydrological droughts, nationwide hydrological floods) have repeatedly plunged most rural families into poverty, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The history of Burkina Faso's experience in aquaculture spans seven decade-long efforts, but, in its current weak production status, will aquaculture be able to help face future challenges? This study reviewed the potential of the aquaculture sector while determining its weakness in order to make appropriate recommendations to guide the Next Generation Aquaculture (NGA) in the country. Therefore, we review the history, from 1950 to 2022, of the different nodes of the aquaculture value chain in relation to livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and climate change. The historical context of aquaculture in Burkina Faso showed a need for a transformative approach towards climate resilience. We found many barriers for aquaculture adoption including its management (i.e., staff, biological and chemical management) its political leadership, its economic sustainability, its environmental and climate challenges, and its sociological factors. Mitigation actions are needed both at aqua-farm and national levels. These include proper governance, gender inclusivity and, promoting climate-smart aquaculture (CSA). To ensure the environmental sustainability of aquaculture, considerable efforts should be made in terms of climate-smart aquaculture research, development, training and education in order to address economic, social and environmental paradigms. Definition, implementation and maintenance of the principles of good practices in aquaculture (GPA) at each stakeholder level, is necessary to regulate all aspects of the aquaculture value chain for NGA, including relationships with other sectors. As such, this paper provided solutions meant to transform the Burkina Faso aquaculture industry through innovations in the sustainability area. It is recommended that both state officials and private stakeholders work together to achieve GPA in the industry. This review further discusses how coherence of aquaculture development policies can help mitigate future disturbance about food availability and climate change in Sahel countries facing similar kinds of challenges as Burkina Faso.