Exploring the links between adoption of agricultural water management interventions and livelihoods in northern Burkina Faso

This 30-year study synthesizes evidence, at the sub-national scale of region, across northern Burkina Faso, of adoption rates of agricultural water management interventions, compared with indicators of impact on livelihoods in the form of yield changes, poverty indices and food security. The study concludes that agricultural water management interventions, such as soil and water conservation or small-scale irrigation around small-scale water reservoirs, have repeatedly shown benefits to yields, soil fertility and water availability – at the field and experimental farm scale. It is assumed that these benefits will result in better and more sustainable livelihoods.