Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Centre de Recherche en Santé de Nouna (CRSN), Ministry of Health, P.O. Box 02 Nouna, Burkina Faso.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Oct 1;17(19):7200. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17197200.
In West Africa, climate change aggravates subsistence farmers' vulnerability to weather variability to sustain their agricultural and nutritional requirements. For successful adaptation policies, in-depth understanding of farmers' perceptions about climate change, agriculture, and adaptation strategies is essential. This qualitative study in rural Burkina Faso characterized farmers' perceptions and knowledge through in-depth interviews. The study enumerated the barriers, possibilities, strategies/practices, and support sources of farmers. There was awareness but limited understanding of climate change amongst farmers. Those unable to adapt, faced increased health difficulties, specifically regarding nutrition and mental health. Farmers could implement some dietary and agricultural adaptation strategies (reduce meal size, frequency and variety, preemptive purchase of cereals, multi-cropping, crop rotation, modified seeds) but were unable to implement others (soil rehabilitation, water management). Barriers to implementation comprised financial and time constraints, material and labor shortages, and inaccessible information. Farmers did not understand, trust or utilize meteorological services, but appreciated and relied on agricultural extension services. They reported that social and governmental support was sporadic and inconsistent. This study uncovers the following targets for climate change adaptation policies in rural Burkina Faso: promoting meteorological services, expanding agricultural extension services, increasing access to financial resources, and framing sustainable adaptation within national development goals.
在西非，气候变化加剧了维持生计的农民对天气变化的脆弱性，以满足他们的农业和营养需求。为了制定成功的适应政策，深入了解农民对气候变化、农业和适应策略的看法至关重要。本研究在布基纳法索农村地区进行了定性研究，通过深入访谈来描述农民的看法和知识。该研究列举了农民面临的障碍、可能性、策略/实践以及支持来源。农民已经意识到气候变化的存在，但理解有限。那些无法适应的人面临着更多的健康困难，特别是在营养和心理健康方面。农民可以实施一些饮食和农业适应策略（减少每餐的大小、频率和种类、提前购买谷物、间作、轮作、改良种子），但无法实施其他策略（土壤修复、水管理）。实施的障碍包括资金和时间限制、物质和劳动力短缺以及无法获得信息。农民不理解、不信任或利用气象服务，但赞赏和依赖农业推广服务。他们报告说，社会和政府的支持是零星和不一致的。本研究揭示了布基纳法索农村地区适应气候变化政策的以下目标：推广气象服务、扩大农业推广服务、增加获得资金的机会，并将可持续适应纳入国家发展目标。
